It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our oldest white-fronted marmoset, Iris. Iris had been diagnosed with a mass in her lungs last July and was being closely monitored by her keeper staff and veterinary team to maintain her quality of life. When her breathing began to show signs of worsening, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her last week. Iris was the matriarch of our white-fronted marmoset group and lived to a very impressive 17-years, making her one of the oldest marmosets in the United States. She was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2008 and came to Henry Vilas Zoo in 2010. Iris leaves behind a strong living legacy. She had 10 offspring, 8 grand-offspring and 6 great-grand-offspring, significantly contributing to the white-fronted marmoset Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps protect genetic diversity and conserve populations within zoos. In 2021, at the age of 15, she because the oldest marmoset to ever give birth in the United States with the arrival of her last baby, Carina. Iris was a patient marmoset and amazing mother. She was bold, kind, and always the first to greet her keepers. She loved fruit, insects, and her favorite treat was baby puffs. She had a great relationship with her keeper staff and was a crowd favorite in the Aviary. Iris lived a long and amazing life and she will be greatly missed. We are comforted in the fact that her legacy will live on both here at Henry Vilas Zoo and in other zoos around the country. Her family is adjusting to life without their matriarch with lots of extra attention from the Aviary keepers. They are doing well and are visible to the public in our Aviary building. (fb)

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures out there!! 📸 Keepers Susan & Nicole (fb)