ALL ABOUT PRIMATES!

Gorilla World and Jungle Trails

PRIMATE EVOLUTION

The ancestors of primates show up in the fossil record around 85

to 65 million years ago.

The first true primates fossil was discovered in China and dates

back 55 million years!

The idea of the “missing link” is very misleading. Evolution is not a linear chain, but more like a complicated tree with many

branches.

THE MODERN PRIMATE

Primates are a taxonomical Order of related species that fall under the Class Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Primates

From here primates tend to fall into 3

major categories

THE THREE PRIMATE CATEGORIES

Apes MonkeysProsimians

PROSIMIANS

Prosimians represent the more “primitive” of primates

General Characteristics:

Small Size

Nocturnal

Relatively Solitary

Grooming Claws and Tooth Combs

Well-developed sense of smell

Vertical Clingers and Leapers

This group includes all lemurs, galagos, lorises, and tarsiers

MONKEYS

Monkeys are the most geographically diverse category of primates, spanning

throughout South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and even one

location in Europe

General CharacteristicsLong Tails

Diurnal (one exception)

Increased sense of sight

More complex social structures

Increased Intelligence

Quadrupedal

Monkeys are classified as either New World or Old World

NEW WORLD VS. OLD WORLD MONKEYS

New World Monkeys span

throughout Central and

South America.

Characteristics: Round, flat

nostrils. Smaller in size.

Exclusively arboreal. Some

have prehensile tails.

Old World Monkeys span

throughout Europe, Africa, and

Asia.

Characteristics: Narrow,

downward nostrils. Larger in

size. Some terrestrial. Sitting

pads, Some have cheek pouches.

APES

Apes are often known as the most “advanced” group of primates

General Characteristics

No Tail

Large in size

Broad Chests

Move through brachiation

High intelligence

Dependence on learning and tool use

This group includes gibbons, siamangs, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees,

bonobos, and humans

WHAT CONNECTS

ALL PRIMATES?

While a lot of diversity exists among the living primates, there are some very unique

characteristics that are shared by almost all of the primate species

• Large Brain Size

• Prehensile Hands and Opposable Thumbs

• Stereoscopic/binocular vision

• Fingernails

• Long Life History

• Complex Social Structures

Let’s look at these in more depth!

LARGE BRAIN SIZE OPPOSABLE THUMBS

Compared to other

mammals, most primates

have a large brain relative

to their body size

Opposable thumbs are one of the

most defining features of primates.

Thumbs help them to manipulate

small and complex objects

BINOCULAR VISION

Most primates have more forward-facing eyes, this allow

for increased depth perception. That’s important when you live

high up in the canopies!

FINGERNAILS

Vs.

Most primates have nails on their

fingers and toes as opposed to

claws. These nails help to protect

the digits, and allow for a

heightened sense of touch.

LONG LIFE HISTORY

Given their size, primates have an extended life

history compared to other mammals. They grow

slowly, have long dependence on their

parents, mature later, and live longer life spans.

Newborn

Newborn 2 years

Most primates live in large social groups. Living in groups with

other individuals facilitates the formation of close bonds and

friendships. These bonds help to protect primates from danger.

COMPLEX SOCIAL STRUCTURES

Group living can also bring

about competition and conflict,

complex hierarchies are often

established to mediate this

tension.

JUNGLE TRAILS!

ORANGUTAN

As of 2017, there are three recognized species of orangutans

Tapanuli: Pongo tapanuliensis

Bornean: Pongo pygmaeus

Sumatran: Pongo abelii

Both the Bornean and Sumatran

species can be found in zoos, at the

Cincinnati Zoo we house two

Sumatran Orangutans

ORANGUTAN RANGE

All orangutans species are

found throughout two islands in

Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra

Sumatran: rainforest of

Northern Sumatra

Bornean: lowland rainforests,

swamp and mountain forests of

Borneo

Tapanuli: isolated forest of

Northern Sumatra

ORANGUTAN DIET

Orangutans are primarily fruit eaters, making them an

important seed dispersers in their habitats. When fruit is scarce, orangutans will also

consume flowers, insects, bark, leaves, eggs, and occasionally

small mammals

Orangutans are especially adapted to store fat to help them survive the seasonal fluctuation

of fruit availability

ORANGUTAN SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Unique amongst the great apes, orangutans are primarily solitary. The basic social unit

consist of an adult female and their dependent offspring. Males hold large

territories that overlap multiple females

Orangutans, while solitary, are still social. Mothers are known to come together in

times when fruit is plenty. They will maintain social relationships over long

periods of time

Males have two mature morphs:

Flanged

Un-flanged

ORANGUTAN BEHAVIOR

Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal in the world, they practice quadrumanous locomotion and use their large weight to sway the trees.

After chimpanzees, orangutans have the most diverse tool culture of all non-

human primates.

Much of what we know about orangutans comes from the research of

Birute Galdikas. Today, this research continues at Camp Leakey in Borneo!

ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION

Currently, orangutans are considered to be Critically Endangered. It is estimated that around 120,000 individuals exist in the wild. The Tapanuliorangutan is the most endangered great ape, with

a population of only 800.

Deforestation rates in Borneo and Sumatra are some of the worst on the entire planet. Much of this is due to the creation of palm oil plantations.

Sustainable palm oil production helps to conserve orangutan habitat. Today, around 20% of all palm

oil production is certified sustainable by the RSPO.

ORANGUTANS IN ZOOS

Throughout North

America, 55 AZA

institutions house

orangutans, representing

216 individuals. All of

these individuals are

managed through a SSP.

AlexHenry

LION TAMARINS

Tamarins are a family of small monkeys found throughout the rainforests of South America. The lion tamarins make up four

of these species

Golden-headed Lion TamarinLeontopithecus chrysomelas

Golden Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia

Black Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus

Black-faced Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus caissara

At the Cincinnati Zoo, we have two Golden-headed Lion tamarins

LION TAMARIN RANGE

All lion tamarin species are found throughout the South-

Eastern coastal regions of Brazil

Golden-headed: forests of the Bahia state

Golden: lowland coastal regions of Rio de Janeiro

Black: forest patches of Sao Paulo

Black-faced: costal regions of Paraná

LION TAMARIN DIET

Tamarins eat a wide variety of foods such as fruits, flowers, nectar, tree sap (exudate),

insects, and small vertebrates.

Modified claws, instead of nails, help tamarins to cling vertically

to the sides of trees.

Lion tamarins have elongated hands and feet that are partially webbed which allow them to

catch prey from confined areas.

LION TAMARIN SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Lion tamarins live in small family groups of up to 8 individuals.

Groups consist of one breeding female and multiple males who will help care for the offspring.

Females almost exclusively give birth to twins.

Tamarin families share the responsibility of raising the young,

however, the adult males will usually provide most of the care.

LION TAMARIN BEHAVIOR

Strictly arboreal, lion tamarins rarely come down to the ground and spend most of

their time in the forest canopy.

Lion tamarins are highly territorial, of both their mates

and their home ranges. Tamarin groups defend

territories the size of 100 to 250 acres. They use scent

marking to communicate this ownership.

LION TAMARIN CONSERVATION

All four species of lion tamarin are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered. This is mostly due to

deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and the pet trade.

In the 1970’s there were as few as 200 Golden Lion Tamarins left. Due to the hard work of AZA institutions, their international partners, and captive

breeding program, it is estimated that there are 1500 living in the wild.

LION TAMARINS IN ZOOS

Most of the focus in zoos center around the conservation of Golden

Lion Tamarins, this has been very successful. However, there are

breeding programs for two of the other species.

Worldwide, there are 150 zoos who participate specifically in Golden Lion

Tamarin breeding programs.

In 2003, the Golden Lion Tamarins were downgraded from Critically

Endangered to Endangered.

Lucio and Uknown Female

BONOBO

A close cousin to the

chimpanzee, the bonobo was

once known as the pygmy or

dwarf chimp, but is now

recognized as its own

species.

Chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes

Bonobo: Pan paniscus

Chimpanzee Bonobo

Bonobos differ from chimps both

physically and behaviorally.

BONOBO RANGE

Bonobos are only found in the forests south of the

Congo River in the Democratic Republic of

Congo.

There is no overlap with the chimpanzee’s range.

BONOBO DIET

In the wild bonobos will feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, terrestrial vegetation, and have been seen

eating insects and other vertebrates occasionally.

Bonobo groups have been witnessed hunting various monkey

species.

BONOBO SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Bonobos live in large fission-fusion communities with multiple males and females. At times, the larger group will separate into smaller

parties.

Unique to other great ape species, bonobo females are the ones in

charge!

Known as the “hippie ape”, bonobo society tends to be peaceful, tension is alleviated

through hugs, kisses, and sexual interactions.

BONOBO BEHAVIOR

While incredibly intelligent, bonobos have rarely been seen using tools in their natural habitat. In human

care, bonobos have shown the capacity to create and

use tools.

Bonobos tend to maintain their love of play, far into adulthood. Playing helps

bonobos to build trust and form strong relationships

amongst each other, as well as continuously adapt to

their environment.

BONOBO CONSERVATION

Bonobos are considered to be Endangered. Scientists estimate their

wild populations to be 50,000 at most. That’s not even enough to fill the

Bengals stadium!

There are many threats that bonobos face. Some of the biggest are habitat

loss, poaching, and disease. Civil unrest in the DRC also threaten bonobos and

their habitat.

Lola Ya Bonobo is the world’s only bonobo sanctuary. They rescue orphaned bonobos and work to

rehabilitate those individuals for re-release.

BONOBOS IN ZOOS

Bonobos are not common in AZA zoos. Currently 7 AZA facilities house around 80 bonobos. Every individual is part of an SSP, working to ensure the

long term survival of the species.

Between the Cincinnati and Columbus Zoo, almost half of the entire U.S

bonobo population can be found in Ohio. So far, the Cincinnati Zoo has

had 10 bonobo births!

Our Bonobos:

Vernon, Zanga, Clara, Bolingo, Lana, Kesi, Vim, Vergil, Kimia, Zeke, and Kibibi

GORILLA WORLD

GORILLA

There are two recognized species of gorilla,

with a total of four sub-species

Only one sub-species, the Western Lowland

Gorilla, are housed in AZA facilities

GORILLA RANGE

All gorilla sub-species are found dispersed throughout central Africa

Cross River: lowland montane forests and rainforests of Cameroon and Nigeria

Western Lowland: rainforest and swamp forests of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo

Mountain: mountains forest of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda

Eastern Lowland: lowland forests of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

GORILLA DIET

Gorillas are largely vegetarians, most of their diet consists of leaves, stems, shoots, bamboo,

wild celery, fruit, and occasionally termite larvae

The Western Lowland Gorilla tends to be more frugivorous

than the other sub-species

Recent research has shown that gorillas “hum” and “sing” while

eating

Gorillas live in socially

complex groups called

troops. Each troop consists

of anywhere from 3 to 30

individuals.

Each member of a gorilla

family plays a different role,

just like human families!

These roles include:

Silverback(s)

Adult Females

Blackbacks

Juveniles

Infants

GORILLA SOCIAL STRUCTURE

GORILLA SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Gorillas live in polygynous groups, meaning there is one dominant male, the silver back,

and multiple females and their offspring.

Both male and female gorillas will leave their natal groups when they reach

maturity. Males will seek females to create their own troops, while females seek a male who will protect them and their

offspring.

Male gorillas are typically double the size of females, this is due to the intense

competition amongst the male gorillas to protect their females

Males: ~400 lbs

Females: ~200 lbs

GORILLA BEHAVIOR

Despite their portrayal in popular media and their massive size, gorillas tend to be very peaceful

animals. However, male gorillas are fiercely protective over their troop.

While gorillas in human care have shown the ability to create and use tools, only a few gorillas has been

witnessed using tools in the wild… so far!

Much of what we know about wild gorilla behavior comes from the research of Dian Fossey and the

Mountain Gorillas she habituated. These troops are still researched today!

MBELI BAI

GORILLA CONSERVATION

Ecotourism is one solution that has

been implemented with the Mountain

Gorillas. The money made goes right

back into funding and maintaining the

parks as well as the disadvantaged

local communities.

Currently, all gorilla species are

considered to be Critically

Endangered. This is largely due to

habitat loss, disease, poaching, and

civil unrest. It is estimated that as

few as 105,000 exist in the wild.

GORILLAS IN ZOOS

In North America, there are 51 AZA institutions that

house gorillas. This represents around 350 individuals, who

are all managed through a Species Survival Plan to ensure

the population remains healthy and genetically diverse.

Zoos provide the unique opportunity for guests

to get Close Enough To Care with these animals

and inspire conservation actions!

Our Gorillas:

Troop 1: Jomo, Samantha, Mlinzi, Gladys, Mondika, Anju,

Elle

Troop 2: Mshindi, Mara, Chewie, and Asha

Cincinnati Zoo has had 50 gorilla births since the 1970’s

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

Any questions?