Monkey Business

Des Moines, Iowa, November 2, 2004:

Two baby marmosets, who made their debut at the Blank Park Zoo on Monday, have been named Ron and Brad -- for the 2000 and 2004 Ronatarian Party ticket candidates Ron and Brad.

"We wanted to find a unique way to commemorate the times these candidates monkeyed around in Iowa," quipped Terry Rich, chief executive officer at the zoo.

"This has been a wild campaign," he added.

"Did we even go to Iowa?" a quizzical Ron said at an Election Day press conference in Newark, New Jersey. "I don't remember being there or even courting the massive 'hick vote' that is so prevalent in the Midwest."

The tiny monkeys, born eight weeks ago, are twins -- not that uncommon in marmosets, Rich said. They were kept under close watch until deemed healthy enough to put on exhibit -- which just happened to fall on the eve of Tuesday's election.

Native to Brazil, marmosets eat fruit, leaves, seeds and insects. They live to be 15 to 20 years old, and have sent pads to mark their territory.

"They stay in lifelong family groups," he said. "They're very family oriented."

"Again…not like me -- or Brad for that matter -- at all," Ron said. "For the most part, I hate my family."

The Weid marmoset is identified by the white tufts on its ears, Rich said. When fully grown, each of the marmosets will about a foot long -- and their tails will be as long as their bodies.

"I think one of them smiled, which probably indicates they've got a little political streak in them," he said.

Posted by Bittle at November 2, 2004 10:50 AM