This tiny new-born is a mandrill, an endangered primate from the rainforests of West Africa.
Born at Paignton Zoo on September 11 to parents Marta and Jumanji, the youngster is another important contribution to the European Endangered species Programme, of which Paignton Zoo is a part.
The zoo’s troop now numbers seven; males Jumanji and Akello, females Makemba, Mirjam and Marta, plus this new arrival and a female baby born in January to mother Makemba and father Jumanji and named Jumba.
Despite their fearsome appearance, mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)feed on fruit, fungi, insects, nuts, roots, seeds and small invertebrates. Their colouring is thought to help keep the group together whilst travelling in the rainforest. A single youngster is born after a gestation of 5 to 6 months.
Threats to the species include habitat destruction and hunting. There is a European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for the mandrill and it is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
(from a press release)