Mali

Mali, a colobus monkey, is mother to Oscar, Maliki and Delu. They live together in the Oregon Zoo’s African Rain Forest exhibit.

When Mali gave birth to Oscar, she was a first-time mom. She did not show strong maternal instincts right away and seemed confused about how to take care of her new baby. Keepers surmised that because Mali was the youngest in her group, she had never seen a mother colobus taking care of a baby. Therefore, when Oscar was born Mali didn’t know what to do.

During that awkward time, keepers worked with Mali, giving her more private time with her baby, and eventually she and Oscar became inseparable. Today, Mali is a wonderful mother to her youngest baby, Delu, and is attentive to her other offspring.

See larger photo of Mali holding her baby, Delu.

Learn more about Colobus monkeys.