Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed a baby mandrill at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The mandrill was born to first-time father, Linus, and mother, Scarlett on July 25. The new animal has yet to be named.
Mandrills are the world’s largest species of monkey and are found in the African rainforest. Wild mandrills are currently facing pressure from deforestation and poaching.
The mandrill addition is part of Disney’s work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on Species Survival Plans (SSPs) to help conserve and protect different endangered species.
The vice president for animals, science and environment at Disney Parks, Mark Penning, wrote that “Mom and baby are doing well and spending lots of time bonding.” “In fact, their bond is so close that at the baby’s neonatal exam, our veterinary team wasn’t able to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl just yet, because mom is keeping the infant so close to her belly.”
