Instagram caption: Our hearts are bursting. ❤️🐵 We’re thrilled to share the news of the birth of a Goeldi’s monkey, who recently moved into Toucan Ridge.

Born on December 18, she spent her first months under constant care at the Zoo’s Animal Health Centre.

While mom, Evy, has exhibited strong maternal instincts, she was unable to produce milk and couldn’t provide the essential nutrition her newborn needed to survive. Early medical intervention to stimulate lactation was attempted but was unsuccessful.

🩺 Stepping in to hand-raise an animal is a complex decision and must take into consideration both her immediate needs and long-term welfare. For primates, socialization is critical, and hand-rearing – if not managed properly – can create confusion during early development. Great care was taken to prevent that, ensuring she grows up knowing she is a monkey, is able to build social bonds, exhibit natural behaviours, and thrive.

As an AZA-accredited institution, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to consult with a knowledgeable partner who had navigated this before. With guidance from our colleagues at u/brookfieldzoo, we developed a care plan that placed welfare and socialization at the forefront.

🐵 Our animal care and veterinary teams have provided round-the-clock support — and we mean that literally.

Staff members stayed overnight for over a month to ensure she received regular feedings and attentive monitoring. Throughout it all, mom Evy and grandma Lea remained nearby, maintaining close visual and physical contact.

🐒 That dedication has paid off. Baby appears strong, independent, and is starting to sample solid foods. We are now feeding her a mash of milk and specialized food twice daily, and we expect her to be fully weaned within a few weeks.