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BY JOHN JOHNSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Some baby animals take comfort in being coddled by mom. Others exert their independence by wandering a few feet away.

Both will be evident during the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's annual Tide Zoo Babies. The event, which showcases babies born at the zoo in the past year or so, begins Saturday and runs through July 6.

In addition to the animals on this page, other youngsters on display:

• A crowned guenon, born April 24, is at Gorilla World. Cincinnati is the only U.S. zoo exhibiting this long-tailed monkey, native to west-central Africa.

• Two Tasmanian devils were born in November, the first captive birth of these animals in the United States in 25 years. They're at the Children's Zoo. A contest to name them will be held during Zoo Babies.

• A Diana monkey, born Oct. 31, can be found in the African Building in Jungle Trails.

• Six giant eland (a large African antelope) were born in 1996 and inhabit the Veldt.

• Two Amur leopards, 2 months old, are in the nursery in the Children's Zoo. Hurry to see them, because sometime in June they'll join Cathryn Hilker's Cat Ambassador Program.

And more babies could be born any day. That's the nature of, well, nature.

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If you go What: Tide Zoo Babies. When: Saturday through July 6. Gates open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; park stays open until 8 p.m. Where: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Seven-foot stork statues will point out the babies. Highlights: Meet the Babies, 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Children's Zoo; Bozo the Clown, noon and 2 p.m. June 7-8, amphitheater; Bananas in Pajamas, noon and 2 p.m. June 14-15, amphitheater; Pete's Photo World/Nikon Days, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. June 14-15; Schemer's Incredible Schemer Show, noon and 2 p.m. June 21-22, amphitheater; Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. June 28-29, amphitheater; Channel 48's Kids Day, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 5-6, amphitheater. Cost: Shows are free with zoo admission. $8 adults; $5.75 seniors; $4.75 ages 2-12; free to under 2. Parking: $4.75. Information: 281-4700.