The Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park is pleased to announce the birth of twin red-handed tamarin monkeys on February 20, 2009. The new babies are healthy and strong and can be seen clinging tightly to the backs of mom and dad. These new additions will be on display for the Zoo’s 57th Birthday Party event, March 7th and 8th.

The original Zoo property was donated to the City of Santa Ana by Joseph E. Prentice. He stipulated that the Zoo maintain at least fifty monkeys at all times. This new pair brings the current Zoo monkey population up to 52 monkeys.

Red-handed tamarins can produce up to four offspring a year. Gestation is only five months. They usually have twins. Other family members act as “nannies” helping to raise the young. The parents had their last set of twins on August 18, 2008.

The new babies are on view for the public daily between 10:00AM and 4:00PM at the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park, 1801 Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and children 3-12 years. Children under three are free. For more information call 714-836-4000 or visit our website at: www.santaanazoo.org.