by Pam Rutyna
Thisweek Newspapers

The newest members of the saki monkey family at St. Paul's Como Zoo finally have been named. Thanks in part to Rosemount residents Deb Lembecker and her two children, Alec, 14, and Larissa, 9.

The infant monkeys, who were born in October, were the subjects of a naming contest sponsored by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Last week, the Lembeckers filled out a form and sent their names to the newspaper. On Wednesday, they were informed that, while more than 1,000 names were submitted, their names, Comet and Star, were chosen for the monkeys.

In a ceremony at the zoo on Monday, April 3, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman announced the names and introduced not only the new monkeys to the public, but the Lembeckers as well.

Twin Cities media was there including WCCO-TV, KSTP and KARE.

"The mayor gave a speech at first, and then invited Alec and Larissa to come up to the podium to speak,î said Deb Lembecker. "He asked them to tell everyone how they came up with the name.î

According to Lembecker, the names emerged from a recent conversation she had with her children. While her daughter was drawing at the kitchen table, they began discussing various names for the monkeys.

Since her daughter was drawing a star, her son commented that they should name the girl monkey "Star.î

After a little more discussion, Lembecker suggested the name "Comet,î for the brother. "We wanted to keep the names in the same cosmic family, so we came up with Comet,î said Lembecker.

After Alec and Larissa explained the reason behind the names, the family was treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo, including an introduction to a baby giraffe that was born in January.

The family also received a gift bag that included two stuffed saki monkeys, photos of the monkeys and a certificate showing sponsorship of the twin monkeys.

"We feel a special connection with the two monkeys now,î said Lembecker. "In fact, the kids keep asking how many times they can go and see them at the zoo this summer.î

The birth of twin saki monkeys are extremely rare, in that only one other set of saki twin monkeys have been born at a U.S. zoo.

The monkeys are currently on display in the Primate House at the Como Zoo.

Pam Rutyna is at rosemount.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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