baby monkey with mom

With 54.5 percent of the vote, participants in the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s naming contest chose Zarina as the moniker for the baby patas monkey born on November 30.

We have no doubt that the adorable new addition at the Syracuse, N.Y., zoo will live up to her bright and beautiful name — Zarina is an African word meaning “golden.”

As Zarina grows up, she might become quite a handful for parents M.J. and Sarah — patas monkeys are one of the fastest primates. They can run up to 30 mph.

Here’s another interesting fact about the species: While most monkeys are known for living up in the trees, patas monkeys, with their slender bodies and long limbs, are actually better suited for life on the ground.