First Mandrill Baby Born at San Diego Zoo in 14 Years
Mandrills are most recognized by their bright red nose and lips, and thick purple and blue ridges along the sides of their nose
By Jaspreet Kaur ••
Female mandrill Kesi gave birth to a baby boy earlier this week —the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years.
The San Diego Zoo welcomed the first Mandrill baby born in more than 14 years at the zoo.
Kesi gave birth to a baby boy earlier this week, to the surprise of staff members who caught a glimpse of the baby when the female mandrill walked out of her bedroom.
“It’s like every day we would come in in the morning and think like there might be a baby – we don’t know. To actually see it was pretty incredible. Especially since she came in so quietly, just like a typical morning, but just happen to have a baby with her," said Jenny Baublit, senior primate keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Photo taken on Dec. 1, 2016, by
Mandrill Kesi’s new baby knows how to get around, hanging onto mom as she moves around their habitat. Kesi gave birth to her baby boy this week—and he is the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years! This is the first baby for Kesi and male mandrill Jasper. So far, animal care staff say, they are doing exceptionally well as new parents—and mom is being very attentive to the baby’s nursing needs. Guests can visit the Zoo’s three mandrills on Monkey Trail in Lost Forest. They share an exhibit with guenons, including spot-nosed monkeys and Wolf’s monkeys.
Photo taken on Dec. 1, 2016, by
Mandrill Kesi’s new baby knows how to get around, hanging onto mom as she moves around their habitat. Kesi gave birth to her baby boy this week—and he is the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years! This is the first baby for Kesi and male mandrill Jasper. So far, animal care staff say, they are doing exceptionally well as new parents—and mom is being very attentive to the baby’s nursing needs. Guests can visit the Zoo’s three mandrills on Monkey Trail in Lost Forest. They share an exhibit with guenons, including spot-nosed monkeys and Wolf’s monkeys.
Female mandrill Kesi gave birth to a baby boy earlier this week —the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Female mandrill Kesi gave birth to a baby boy earlier this week —the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Mandrill Kesi’s new baby knows how to get around, hanging onto mom as she moves around their habitat. Kesi gave birth to her baby boy this week—and he is the first mandrill born at the San Diego Zoo in over 14 years! This is the first baby for Kesi and male mandrill Jasper. So far, animal care staff say, they are doing exceptionally well as new parents—and mom is being very attentive to the baby’s nursing needs. Guests can visit the Zoo’s three mandrills on Monkey Trail in Lost Forest. They share an exhibit with guenons, including spot-nosed monkeys and Wolf’s monkeys.
Mandrills are most recognized by their bright red nose and lips, and thick purple and blue ridges along the sides of their nose. They are the largest and most colorful from the Old World Monkeys and mostly found in the rain forests in Africa, according to the San Diego Zoo.
Kesi and father Jasper are part of the mandrill breeding program at the San Diego Zoo which was established in 1938. Since then, more than 34 mandrills have been born at the Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park.
Guests can visit the mandrills on Monkey Trail in Lost Forest.
