THE HOLIDAYS BRING NEW ANIMAL FACES AT ZOO ATLANTA

Just in time for the holidays, several new animals are now exploring their habitats at Zoo Atlanta. Look for recent arrivals exploring their new homes, from The Ford African Rain Forest to the contact yard to the African Savanna.  

Nafis the Schmidt’s guenon: Nafis, a 10-year-old male Schmidt’s guenon who arrived in November from another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) organization, recently joined his new family group in the mixed-species monkey habitat in The Ford African Rain Forest. The AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommended his move to Zoo Atlanta to join adult female Bam and her offspring, Flynn and Jack.   

Native to woodlands, rainforests, deciduous forests, and swamplands in middle Africa, Schmidt’s guenons are distinguished by their long, chestnut-colored tails and their distinctive heart-shaped noses. Look for the Schmidt’s guenon family and their habitat mates the Angolan colobus monkeys on days when temperatures reach 50 or above.   

Barbie, Carmen, Cruz, and Ella the LaMancha goats: Four new kids are the newest members of the herd of goats and sheep in the Zoo’s contact yard, where the active youngsters have begun meeting Members and guests.  

An American goat first bred in California, LaMancha goats are known for their exceptionally short ear pinnae, giving them an “earless” appearance.  

Olive the ostrich and Neighomi the zebra: Female ostrich Olive, who joined Zoo Atlanta in October, can now be seen with her new companion, female ostrich Purple, in the mixed-species African Savanna habitat. Another fall new arrival, female plains zebra Neighomi, has likewise met her new companions, male zebra Wembe and female Imara.  

Integrating individual animals in a mixed-species habitat – the African Savanna is also home to giraffes Calvin and Lennard – is a gradual process based on the animals’ comfort levels. During this time, not all animals may be in the African Savanna habitat all day on any given day.  

Plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.  

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org  
404.624.2812 

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
404.624.5980
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org  

ABOUT: About Zoo Atlanta 
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.