An endangered drill monkey has been born at Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork, the first of its species to be born at the facility as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme.
The male drill monkey (Mandrillus Leucophaeus) was born on 18 July to nine-year-old mother Lewa and ten-year-old father Ekona.
Drill monkeys are a rare primate species and are closely related to mandrills. There are an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 left in the wild and their populations have declined by at least 50% over the past 30 years.
They are found in parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea.
Lead Ranger at Fota, Teresa Power, said they are "thrilled" at the baby's birth.
"The drill is an incredibly rare and endangered species, so it's a real privilege to be part of the conservation and care of the species," she said.
"Lewa, the new mother, is doing an excellent job. She's very protective, and the young male is nursing well, this is her first baby. For now, Lewa and the baby are being kept separate from the rest of the group, along with Banni, our younger female, who is both curious and attentive toward the new arrival.
"We're hopeful that Banni may give birth herself later this year, and she's already learning valuable maternal behaviours from observing Lewa."
Drill infants are born with a distinctive black cap of hair, which they usually lose around six months of age.
Fota Wildlife Park is asking for the public's help in naming the new monkey. Suggestions can be made on the park's website.
