MANHATTAN (KSNT) – The Sunset Zoo in Manhattan is asking the public to help name a baby monkey born late last year.
Heather Brown with the Sunset Zoo said in a press release that one of the zoo’s resident black-and-white colobus monkeys gave birth to a baby boy on Dec. 7, 2025. The zoo has witnessed developmental milestones in the past two months with the baby monkey as he eats solid foods and grows hair.
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Brown said the zoo is now asking for the public to help decide on a name for the baby. Three names in Swahili were narrowed down for the public to vote on.
- Nuru – which means ‘light’ and is a contrast to its mother’s name Kivulu which means ‘shadow.’
- Kiatu – means ‘shoe’ and is meant to honor former Sunset Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker who retired last year.
- Kiongozi – means ‘leader’ and is meant to celebrate the legacy of Shoemaker.
The Sunset Zoo opened a tiny primate poll so the public can vote on the three names given and make donations along with their vote. The zoo will choose the name that has the most donations by March 1.
The monkeys can be found in the Ballard Primate Viewing Gallery. The Sunset Zoo can be found at 2333 Oak St. in Manhattan.
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