The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has named its baby silvered leaf langur Dolly in honor of the late country music star Dolly Parton.
The zoo announced Friday, Oct. 9, that its 2-month-old female silvered leaf langur was named through a partnership between Friends of the Columbus Zoo and the zoo's Animal Care team. The Columbus Zoo said the two groups chose the name around the time of Parton's death on Aug. 25, and that the infant's bright personality made it a perfect fit.
The zoo's Instagram post opened with a Broadway nod: "Well HELLO, DOLLY!" It also referenced Parton's signature song, noting the baby will sport her own "coat of many colors" in the months ahead.
That color change is real. Silvered leaf langur babies are born with bright orange fur, white hands, feet and face. The orange coat shifts to the species' trademark silver over three to six months, according to the zoo's species page. The zoo says the orange coloring is believed to help newborns hide from predators.
Dolly was born July 30 to first-time mother Coral and father Kuati. Her birth resulted from an official breeding recommendation through a collaborative program of zoos working to sustain the species' population. The silvered leaf langur is listed as Vulnerable, threatened by habitat loss from palm oil plantations and forest fires. In some areas, the animals are still hunted for meat or captured for the pet trade.
She is the first silvered leaf langur born at the Columbus Zoo since 2019, as first reported by NBC4. The zoo now cares for 17 langurs across three groups.
The species practices allo-parenting, meaning other females in the group help care for infants. Langurs are active during the day and sleep together in a single tree at night.
Visitors can spot Dolly and the rest of the troop in the zoo's Asia Quest region. The Columbus Zoo is located at 4850 Powell Road; hours and tickets are available at columbuszoo.org.
