Meet Ozo, the Zoo's New Male Coquerel's Sifaka
Guests visiting America’s first zoo this coming beautiful, spring-like weekend will get the chance to share in that pride and see its newest bundle of joy, Ozo, the Zoo’s new male
Coquerel’s sifaka (she-fock) baby. Born on Valentine’s Day 2009, Ozo is the second baby for mom, Eudoxia, and dad, Zeno. Ozo joins his one-year-old brother, Loka, who was also born inside their exhibit in
PECO Primate Reserve. For the moment, Ozo can be seen clinging to the stomach of his mom. However, in a few short weeks, he will be getting piggy-back rides from both parents.
Ozo’s birth is quite an accomplishment for this endangered species, as he joins an extremely small population of only forty captive Coquerel’s sifakas nationwide. Coquerel’s sifakas are native to Madagascar, where they are endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction. As one of only 5 zoos in the country currently breeding the species, the Philadelphia Zoo’s recent success helps lead the crucial effort to protect this species.
Outstanding animal care has always been a priority for the Philadelphia Zoo. Over its 150 year history, the Zoo has been a leader in the births of many species including cheetahs, orangutans, echidnas and giant river otters, all of which the Zoo successfully bred first in US. The Zoo will be celebrating its rich history with a year-long celebration kicking off on March 21 and 22, with Sesquicentennial Weekend - a Victorian festival for the whole family.