The Bronx Zoo has a rambunctious new addition.
The first gelada baboon born in the United States in more than 13 years made its debut at the zoo this week, the Wildlife Conservation Society says. The baby baboon was born in the fall and was introduced into the zoo’s gelada exhibit this spring after spending the winter bonding with its mother.
“This is an exciting birth for the Bronx Zoo and our visitors,” said Jim Breheny, an executive with the zoo. “To watch the young gelada race around the hillside, jumping and interacting with the adults is an experience not to be missed. It is an inspiring sight that transports you to the East African highlands.”
The zoo posted video video of the young male monkey hopping around, bouncing off of rocks and antagonizing its mother. The monkey weighed less than a pound at birth, it will likely grow to be about 65 pounds as an adult.
Geladas, sometimes referred to as “bleeding heart baboons” because of the patch of red skin on their chest, are native to the highlands of Ethiopia. Unlike other primates, they feed primarily on grasses, and they communicated with one another through a wide range of sounds and gestures.
The baby baboon isn't the only young primate making a debut this spring at the zoo. Last week, a pair of baby gorillas were added to the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit.
