Jungle Island's Baby Monkey: Is He Rocco, Andrew Or Robert?

MIAMI, FL — After being born on Thanksgiving Day, Jungle Island's new, white-faced baby capuchin monkey can't help but appreciate a good meal.

In honor of the upcoming South Beach Wine & Food Festival's Fun and Fit as a Family event on Saturday and Sunday, park officials plan to name the pint-sized primate after one of three celebrity chefs — Andrew, Robert or Rocco — as the future namesake of celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, Robert Irvine or Rocco DiSpirito.

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Park officials are asking the public to help decide among the three celebrity chef names.

“He likes to copy certain facial gestures and exhibits an adventurous spirit,” observed Dr. Jason Chatfield, vice president of zoological operations at Miami's eco-adventure attraction.

To weigh in with your vote, simply visit the attraction’s Instagram page @JungleIsland and find the baby capuchin monkey photo. Once there, tag a friend in the comments section and select from one of the three possible celebrity chef names: Andrew, Robert or Rocco.

The winner will be chosen at random on Friday and will receive a free family four-pack to the Goya Foods’ Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Kidz Kitchen, plus the opportunity to meet the park's youngest celebrity.

“These creatures are highly social, popular and intelligent," Chatfield said. "Already, the little guy is making mischief at Jungle Island and is sure to be a big hit at the upcoming Goya Foods’ Fun and Fit as a Family festival.”

Produced by the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the family-friendly event will also give parents and kids to explore Miami’s recently upgraded eco-adventure park while learning the basics of a healthy lifestyle.

The event will feature interactive cooking demos, fitness activities, healthy food demos and surprise animal encounters. The cost is $22 per person, per day, plus tax and service fee. Event tickets also include park admission to Jungle Island. Click here to purchase tickets.

Capuchin monkeys are native to Central and South America. They are omnivores with a diet that sounds like a celebrity chef challenge in the making: mostly fruit, leaves, seeds, berries, insects, birds, small mammals and eggs.

"Capuchin monkeys can live up to 50 years," park officials explained. "As one of the smallest primates, capuchin monkeys average 12 to 22 inches in length and weigh between three to nine pounds. TV shows and movies, such as 'Friends' and 'Ace Ventura', helped to popularize capuchin monkeys."

If you are planning to attend the Fun and Fit as a Family event, be sure to take in some of the park's newest additions, including SuperFlight and the park's Escape Rooms.

With a rich Miami history that dates back to 1936, the 18-acre attraction offers behind-the-scenes VIP tours and interactions with some of the world’s most exotic animals year round.

For more information, visit Jungle Island online at www.jungleisland.com or on social media. Jungle Island is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail in Miami just off of the MacArthur Causeway between Miami and Miami Beach.

Photo courtesy Jungle Island