Eastern black-and-white colobus

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Quick facts

Lifespan

29 years or more

under human care

Diet

Mainly leaves

Also seeds and unripe fruits

Habitat

Rainforests

And open woodlands

Range

Central and East Africa

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The black-and-white colobus monkeys

Up in the trees

Colobus monkeys are some of the most arboreal primates, capable of leaping up to 15 metres and rarely descending to the ground.

Special stomachs

They possess a four-chambered stomach that aids in digesting the tough fibres in their main diet of leaves.

Piebald colours

The adults’ black-and-white fur allows the colobus monkey to camouflage amidst contrasting patches of light and shadow in the forest canopies.

Effective communication

They can roar, just like howler monkeys. Roars are usually reserved for long-distance communication among neighbouring troops and can be heard from nearly two kilometres away.

Snow-white babies

Infant colobus monkeys are born with pure white fur. This striking colouration may help the elders of the troop keep an eye out for them.

Standing guard

At night, one troop member always remains on guard to watch out for nocturnal predators like leopards.

Together, we protect wildlife

Coordinated conservation

Wild colobus monkeys are vulnerable to habitat loss, as well as hunting for bush meat and their pelts.

Our colobus monkeys are managed under the EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP), which involves coordinated breeding efforts by participating zoos.

Transfer of individuals between these zoos is based on genetic compatibility. We have successfully bred our colobus monkeys and are contributing to the continued survival of the species.

The IUCN Status

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

World-class care

We provide the highest standards of care for our colobus monkeys through a balanced and varied nutrition and an enriched enviornment that allows them to exhibit their natural climbing abilities and behaviours.

The IUCN Status

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

The Wild Scoop

Fragile Forest

Gaboon Viper

Eastern black-and-white colobus

Quick facts

29 years or more

Mainly leaves

Rainforests

Central and East Africa

The black-and-white colobus monkeys

Up in the trees

Special stomachs

Piebald colours

Effective communication

Snow-white babies

Standing guard

Together, we protect wildlife

Coordinated conservation

The IUCN Status

World-class care

The IUCN Status

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