ZooBorns

Bundle of Good News for Last Surviving Baboon Species

Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury in England is home to three Gelada Baboons – one male, named Agolo, and two females named Jima and Sereba. Keepers were thrilled when they discovered that Sereba had been successfully mated by Agolo resulting in the birth of a male baby named Leena. Agolo and Sereba have proved themselves to be very successful parents while Jima has taken on the role of Aunt to help out hardworking Mum and Dad.

Primate Keeper Jamie Wharton said: “It’s great watching Leena investigate his open-top enclosure and graze with his parents. As he gets older he will develop an impressive mane like his father.”  As the male Gelada develop they grow a mantle (a mane of hair) that surrounds their head and neck.

Neil Spooner, Animal Director, said “These baboons are quite unique in that they are the last surviving species of grass grazing primates. To have a successful birth is great news for the future.”

Photo Credit: Dave Rolfe

Rare Red-haired Babooon!

On January 26, Israel's Ramat Gan Safari announced the birth of a rare, adorable red-haired baby girl. Just like humans, the gene for red hair amongst Hamadryas Baboons is recessive and it was exactly 30 years ago when the last red-haired baboon was born at the old Tel Aviv Zoo. Mom's name is "Scud" as she was born 20 years ago during the Gulf War.

While Scud's rank within the group is not very high, this new baby strengthens her position. The dominant male now spends a lot of time grooming her. He is very curious about the baby girl but Scud is cautious. When he tries to touch the baby, Scud relocates and keeps her distance.

Photo credits: Tibor Jäger 

Get those Baboon Babies Some Names!

Brooklyn's Prospect Park Zoo is home to New York City's newest and bounciest Baboon babies and they need your name suggestions. Jump over to the Zoo's naming contest to add your ideas. The Baboons, both male, were born July 23 and 28.

Photo Credits: Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

More pictures after the jump...

Banana Breakfast for Baby Baboon

This baby Baboon photographed by pure_shot at Germany's Hagenbeck Zoo takes a moment from his banana breakfast to acknowledge zoo visitors.

Baby Baboons Bounce into North Carolina

Two baby Hamaydryas Baboons were recently born at the North Carolina Zoo. With 19 baboons and counting, the NC ZOo has the largest troop of baboons in the United States. In the wild, baboon troops can range from 5 to 250 members. 

Not so fast

 

 

Stepping out with mom

 

Dinnertime

Hanging out with the gang

Photo credits: Tom Gillespie / NC Zoo

Boisterous Baboons Show Their Stuff

Near Hamburg, Germany, Hagenbeck Zoo visitors enjoyed the antics of a pair of baby baboons as they got up to some "monkey business". The historic German zoo's collection dates back to the 1800's, but the baboons have always been a star attraction.

Mom puts a stop to the competition, for now...

Baby Baboon at the Paignton Zoo

This little baboon was born earlier this month at the UK's Paignton Zoo. Baby baboons weigh only a couple of pounds but are often quite bold despite their small size.

Enough sitting still!

 

Photo credit: sukkispal. Thanks for sharing!

Frankfurt Zoo's Baboon Baby

This funny faced fellow is new to the Frankfurt Zoo, and it looks like his elders are doing a fine job of welcoming him to the pack.  Thanks to Marek Polster for the fine photos!

The Hamadryas Baboon is patriarchal, unlike the other baboon species. Females do most of the parenting. Like other baboons, the Hamadryas Baboon breeds aseasonally.