Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A tiny new face has joined the Macaque Island troop at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Twelve-year-old Japanese macaque Usagi gave birth to her second baby on June 8 behind the scenes. Just hours later, she proudly brought the newborn outside for visitors to see.

The baby, whose sex is still unknown, is the eleventh member of the troop and the second offspring of Usagi and ten-year-old father Kota.

The newborn can already be spotted nestled under Usagi’s chest or groin area as she rests on the rockwork of the habitat.

The zoo’s animal care team reports that all is going very well, and they are taking a hands-off approach to allow the mother and baby time to bond naturally.

Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, typically go through labor for a few hours and deliver quickly. Usagi gave birth alone, with no assistance from other members of the troop.

Guests visiting the zoo may catch a glimpse of the baby during the day on Macaque Island. If not visible, Usagi might be taking a short rest indoors.

Japanese macaques are native to the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan. They are one of the northernmost-living primates in the world, aside from humans.

They belong to the African-Eurasian monkey group and are recognized by their non-prehensile tails and downward-facing noses.

The species is currently listed as stable in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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