The Staten Island Zoo Announces The Arrival of a Kinkajou

The Staten Island Zoo has a new arrival of a four year old male kinkajou. A what-is-it? Help the zookeepers give him a name.

The Kinkajous are in the Procyonidae family, just like raccoons. They are found from Southern Mexico to Central and South America and they live in rainforests. They have a prehensile tail which leads people to believe they are primates, but they are not. Their prehensile tale does give them the ability to grasp and use the tale like a fifth hand for climbing.

Kinkajous are considered an important pollinator because they go from flower to flower drinking nectar. The pollen sticks to their face which then smears off on another flower. The name kinkajou comes from a word in the local language that means "honey bear." These little guys have been seen using their long tongue to raid beehives. Kinkajous are carnivores by nature but mostly feed on fruits.

Although kinkajous are not an endangered species, poachers hunting them for fur and meat or for the exotic pet trade have threatened their numbers. They are wild animals and do not make good pets.

"The Staten Island Zoo is bringing in different species of birds and mammals that may not have been part of our collection in some time...like our newest friend, the Kinkajou," said Ken Mitchell, Interim Executive Director of the Staten Island Zoo.

The Staten Island Zoo CREW is asking for everybody's help in picking a proper and suitable name for this ‘new guy'! Visitors to the Zoo will be allowed to submit their name choice for the kinkajou in a box located in the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. The winner will receive a gift bag & family membership.