”We are pleased to announce that our youngest Patas Monkey is a girl,” said Ted Fox, Director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. “She has been named Zarina.” And so the result of the naming contest for the New York Zoo's newest baby monkey was known.  

After the birth of the baby on November 30, the public was asked to vote on names. Since the baby is female, the choices were: Cheche, Kenya and Zarina. After nearly a week of voting, Zarina rose to the top with 54.5 percent of the votes. Marishka Biela, age 7, of Bernhard’s Bay, had submitted the winning name in 2011. It is an African word meaning “golden.”

Zarina is the second offspring to parents Sara and M.J.  Her brother Ty was born earlier in the year, on January 17. She also has two half sisters, D.J. and Kibibi. You can read all about the baby, see several great pictures and watch another video of her HERE on ZooBorns.

Photo Credit: Rosamond Gifford Zoo  

Watch below as she practices a few wobbly steps to catch up with Mom.