ZooBorns

First Day of Spring Brings New Baby Mandrill to Jacksonville Zoo

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the birth of a Mandrill born on March 20 to 16-year-old dam Deanna, and 17-year-old sire Douglas. The gender of the infant is not yet known. Mother and infant are doing very well, and the baby appears strong and healthy. This marks the fourth offspring for Deanna and brings Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ mandrill collection to a total of five animals.

Kumani, another female offspring of Deanna’s, is currently sharing the living space with her mother and the newest addition and is gaining valuable experience by observing maternal behavior. Deanna and the little one were officially introduced to the public on March 23. From now on, they will rotate on and off exhibit with mandrills Douglas and Gucci.

Mandrills are the largest of all monkeys. Shy and reclusive, these primates are found only in African equatorial rain forests. They can easily be identified by their colorful blue and red facial markings and their bright pinkish-red behinds. Mandrills are threatened. Considered a delicacy by many Africans, they are hunted as bushmeat. In additon, the increase in the use of land for agriculture and human settlement is shrinking the rain forest they call home.

Photo Credit: Mark Sheppe/Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Little Mandrill Girl Greets the World

This past October Australia's Adelaide Zoo welcomed a newborn female Mandrill to first time mother Niari. Adelaide Zoo’s Mandrills have not bred in a number of years but first time mom Niari is reportedly doing quite well with her little one. To date no keeper assistance has been needed, which can be the case with some first time mothers. The baby is almost two months old now and can be seen throughout the exhibit riding along with Mom, suckling, and starting to explore her surroundings. Although inquisitive she still stays close to Niari.

The Mandrill is the world's largest species of monkey and is found in the tropical rainforests and occasionally woodlands of southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo.  Mandrills are listed as vulnerable as a result of intensive hunting pressure and habitat loss across their native region.

Photo credits: David Mattner for Zoos South Australia

Cheeky Monkey! (Mandrill, Actually)

At the Bronx Zoo, Gertrude the mandrill baby treats her Congo Gorilla Forest home like a jungle gym—and her mom Louise as a giant plaything! The zoo's special exhibits season kicks off this weekend and Gertrude makes her debut.  

 

 

 

Look out Mom!


Photo Credits: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Early Onset Wrinkles

Born November 29th at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, this baby Mandrill sticks close to mom making good pictures difficult. These photos taken by zoo staffers Darlene Campbell and Patricia Scanlan show the trademark ridged muzzle. This vulnerable species is actually the world's largest monkey. 

 

 

 

Baby Mandrill Mohawk

Dan Mongrain, aka Mongrelboy, was kind enough to share these adorable pictures of the Toronto Zoo's newborn baby mandrill. Little mandrills first cling to their moms' bellies and then ride on their backs as they grow older and larger.