Monkeys abound at WildLanterns and around the zoo! Next time you’re enjoying the bouncy, vocal red ruffed lemurs in the zoo’s Tropical Rain Forest, be aware you’re standing before a piece of the zoo’s history. The lemur habitat was once Monkey Island, which opened in 1940 and was home to 17 monkeys! In 1992, the stark and sterile Monkey Island was converted to the lush and verdant lemur habitat you see today.