Minnesota Zoo Media Contact
If you are a member of the press, please contact: Josh Le
Communications Manager
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.212.3428 direct
952.431.9300 fax
[email protected]
Apple Valley, MINN – September 7, 2016 – The Minnesota Zoo’s resident snow monkey, Nikko, will be celebrating his 33rd birthday on Wednesday, September 7 – reaching an age milestone for his species.
Born in September, 1983, Nikko is the oldest living male snow monkey in North America (per the studbook, an international record-keeping system that is similar to a pedigree).
Said Minnesota and Tropics Trail Curator, Tom Ness: “Nikko arrived at the Minnesota Zoo in 2001; since that time, he’s been a great animal to have in the troop. As one of the dominant males, he has always been laid back – helping to maintain peace within in the troop which is not typical of male snow monkeys. We believe that his personality has helped him survive twice as long as a typical male.”
Species longevity in the international studbook is age 34 for males, 39 for females.
Just three other living snow monkeys in the world (recorded in the international studbook) are older than him: two in Czechoslovakia (age 36) and one in Roma (age 35). Of all males overall (living and deceased) there have been only seven older than Nikko.
It’s estimated that Nikko has lived longer than 99.5% of other known male snow monkeys.
The Minnesota Zoo is a year-round destination located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. Its mission is to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
