What's Happening in Poway, CA…

Officials at the famous San Diego Zoo had their expectations confounded recently when Eloise, a Siamang ape, gave birth. Nobody knew she was pregnant, and in addition, she was on birth control.

Eloise’s new baby may not have been a complete surprise to at least one person. Francelia Amaya, a student at SDSU who has been studying anthropology, had been observing Eloise and the other Siamang apes for some months. Amaya said Eloise behaved oddly the morning the baby was born, as if she couldn’t get comfortable, and kept trying to find a position that allowed her to rest.

After the little one arrived, Amaya took some photos and videos, which show Eloise holding the infant, and swinging through the enclosure holding the newborn. Shortly after the baby arrived, Eloise and the youngster were both removed from the exhibit, along with the baby’s father, Unkie. The zoo is now keeping all three under observation.

Siamang apes are one of a handful of species of primates that mate for life, and Eloise and Unkie first got together in 1987. Zoo officials have not announced how long the new family will be off exhibit. Officials in facilities such as this could use poster printing to give visitors status updates.

The zoo also said the newborn is lucky to have Eloise as a mother, since she has already had seven other youngsters, giving her lots of practice in being a mom.