A zoo in the United States has invited the public to help name a newborn black-handed spider monkey, celebrating the arrival of the rare primate born at the facility late last year.
The Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut announced that the female baby monkey was born on December 18 to mother Janet, who arrived at the zoo in 2022.
Zoo officials said the birth is particularly meaningful because black-handed spider monkeys are a threatened species, facing challenges such as habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.
To celebrate the birth, the zoo has launched an online poll asking the public to help select a name for the young monkey.
Visitors and animal lovers can vote for one of three names:
Voting will remain open until noon on Thursday, after which the winning name will be revealed on the zoo's social media platforms.
Zoo officials highlighted that black-handed spider monkeys are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they play a key role in maintaining rainforest ecosystems.
These primates help disperse seeds and support forest regeneration, making them important for environmental balance.
However, their populations have been declining due to deforestation and illegal wildlife trafficking.
The zoo said births like this one are significant because they contribute to global conservation and breeding efforts aimed at protecting endangered species.
Animal care teams are closely monitoring the baby monkey and her mother to ensure the young primate continues to grow healthy and strong.
The zoo encouraged the public to participate in the naming poll, saying the event helps raise awareness about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting vulnerable species.