Monkey
Jungle When
Joseph DuMond, an inquisitive animal behaviorist, released
six monkeys into
the wilds of a dense South Florida hammock in 1933,
he didn’t realize
his endeavors would help shape the attitudes of
many in the primatological
and zoological fields. The release fifty
years ago of that small Java troop
signified the beginning of the
larger thriving troop that runs free at MONKEY
JUNGLE today. Located just off U.S. 1 in South Dade, MONKEY JUNGLE was
an innovator
of many of the concepts currently seen in the design of zoological
parks. It is home to nearly 400 primates, most running free on a 30
acre
reserve. It is one of the few protected habitats for endangered
primates in
the United States and the only one that the general public
can explore. Visitors
today are immediately welcome by the Java monkey troop,
now numbering in the
80’s. The Java monkeys forage through the Jungle
eating natural foods.
This experience with the monkeys continues to
be a highlight of Monkey Jungle.
The Java monkey is a skilled diver
in the wild, collecting crabs and other
shellfish along the riverbanks
and mangrove swamps. Scheduled feedings at
MONKEY JUNGLE show off these
water skills as animals dive into a pool to receive
fruit from the
guides. As part of the park’s continuing effort
to promote the understanding of
primates, MONKEY JUNGLE has given a new look
introducing audiences to
the lifestyle of the orangutan. Always unpredictable,
the audience often
witnesses impromptu acts by these lovable apes. A
total of 30 species of primates are represented at MONKEY JUNGLE
including
gibbons, guenons, spider monkeys and colobus. The Golden
Lion Tamarin is native
to the Brazilian jungle. Threatened with
extinction, MONKEY JUNGLE proudly
participates in an international
effort to save the tiny creature. Monkey
Jungle - Where Humans Are Caged
and Monkeys Run Wild!
14805 Southwest 216th
St. Miami, FL 33170
(305) 235-1611
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