Dublin Zoo has welcomed a brand new baby monkey.
The White Naped Mangabey weighs about 400 grams and joins seven others.
Zookeepers say it's too early to determine the sex, and it hasn't been named yet.
The species is listed as endangered because of hunting and de-forestation.
Statement from Dublin Zoo: "Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of a white-naped mangabey to its troop. The baby, born on September 26th, is the eighth offspring of mother Monifa and father Danso.
"Weighing approximately 400grams, keepers have said it is too early to determine the sex of the infant.
"The white-naped mangabeys inhabit a large island in Dublin Zoo that is very similar to their natural habitat in the wild. With plenty of tree cover and ground space, the troop can be seen foraging for food on the forest floor and in the heights of the trees. They have a diverse diet, enabled by strong jaws and large teeth that allow them to eat hard nuts, fruit, seeds and insects.
"Dublin Zoo takes part in the European Endangered Species Programme for the white-naped mangabeys. The species is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to being hunted for food and deforestation.
"Their population is restricted in the wild to densely forested pockets in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Dublin Zoo has supported the West African Primate Conservation Action since it was established in 2001 to work with indigenous communities and governments to help protect the most vulnerable species in the region, including the white-naped mangabey.
https://x.com/DublinZoo/status/1712068027552846055?s=20
Helen Clarke-Bennett, team leader of the African Plains says: "We are thrilled to welcome the arrival of an infant white-naped mangabey, Monifa and Danso’s eighth offspring at Dublin Zoo. Although their wild population size is unknown, the species is considered Endangered, with their numbers rapidly declining in the wild.
"Danso and Monifa are attentive parents, and we are excited to watch their family grow as they develop a natural bond with their infant. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Dublin Zoo this weekend, when they can hopefully catch a glimpse of our growing troop of white-naped mangabeys at the African Plains."
