Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
An infant cotton-topped tamarin monkey clings to its mother's back and angles its fuzzy head curiously when she hops over to the viewing window at the North Florida Wildlife Center. The dad leaps away and back frequently, checking that everything is okay. It was only about a month after the tamarin monkey couple settled in at the Wildlife Center in Lamont earlier this winter that their baby was born. According to Executive Director Ryan Reines, the mom must have already been pregnant when she arrived. Reines goes on to point out that, although this couple has borne young in their previous facility, they had always abandoned them after birth. Until now. All signs currently show that they are comfortably caring for and nurturing the newest baby, now named Echo. The thriving cutie turns two-and-a-half months old this week.
Around the corner at the center, the ring-tailed lemur troop also recently welcomed a baby, now named Zava, the fourth they've had while living at the Wildlife Center. And that's not all. Three baby goats were born this spring, named Monterey Jack, Habañero Jack and Pepper Jack after their father – you guessed it – Colby Jack!
Reines is hopeful that there are more babies on the way, as the marabou stork pair have built a huge nest of sticks and laid three eggs, which they are taking turns incubating.
It's an exciting time for the breeding programs that the Wildlife Center participates in to keep endangered species from going extinct. To see all the baby boom activity in person, visit the Wildlife Center at 1386 Cook Rd. In addition to regular hours of Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there are many special weekends this month.
During Home School Days, April 8 and 10, there's 10 percent off admission with the code HS2025. The annual Easter Extravaganza takes place Saturday-Sunday, April 19-20, with special activities like egg hunts, local vendors, wine/beer, keeper talks and more. Earth Day Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, with $5 off admission with the promo code EarthDay. Book your special visit today at
northflorida-wildlife.org.