Primate Behavior in Zoo

            
            
            
             This observation took place in San Diego Zoo. The primates that I have observed and which will be documented in this report are as follows: Angolan colobus monkey (colobus Angolan), Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), Bonobo, or more commonly known as pygmy chimp (Pan paniscus), Schmidt's Spot-nosed guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti), and Allen's swamp monkeys (Allenopithecus nigroviridis). .
             The purpose of this visit is to get a better idea and appreciation of the differences and similarities between these primate groups and we, human beings. It is suggested that we can achieve such goal by studying closely three major characteristics of the primate groups: locomotion, communication, and general group behaviors, because apparently these characteristics they display are the features that set them apart from other less intelligent animals, and which support the suggestion that they are indeed closely related to us human beings. This approach, therefore, shall be the one I take. .
             Habitats of Primates Observed.
             We shall start with some descriptions of the groups' habitats. One thing I noticed was that the habitats of several groups are very similar. The bonobos, Schmidt's Spot-nosed guenons, Allen's swamp monkeys and lion-tailed macaques all live in very large and sparse environments with bamboos, grass, trees, and suspended strings perhaps designed to appear as if they exist naturally, and which are placed there for the animals to move around with. The Angolan colobus monkey, on the other hand, lives in a big fence with plenty of leaves instead of bamboos. Furthermore, the gorillas live in a large, open space with only two or three trees, a fake hill put together by rocks, and a waterfall in the middle of the area. Several large rocks, some tree strings, grass, leaves and bamboos are visible on the ground. In the Ituri Forest, the Schmidt's Spot-nosed guenons group, consisting of an adult female, a male, and a ten-month-old baby, Malaika, live in the same area as the Allen's swamp monkeys.