![]() ![]() Townsend and his colleagues speculate an unusual influx of females into the Sonso chimp community in the past five years might have precipitated this deadly aggression, as females competed for limited foraging areas. The researchers suspect the males might have had sex with attacked females in the past, "which explains why they attempted to intervene," Townsend said. In at least one case, adult males tried to prevent infanticide, with one unsuccessfully attempting to pull apart fighting females. These also involved significant bites to the head, indicating these were intentional and not accidental killings, findings detailed in the May 15 issue of the journal Current Biology. The scientists also found strong circumstantial evidence for two other infanticides. After a 10-minute struggle, the infant was taken and killed with a bite. ![]() Through the measuring of hormone levels, our science team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom were able to verify these rehabilitated mandrills were not only thriving after being re-released but also extending the size of the family troop with the addition of two new babies.New fieldwork has now revealed three more infanticidal attacks by females in the Sonso chimpanzee community in Budongo Forest in Uganda, hinting such "lethal aggression may not be anomalous behavior," Townsend told LiveScience.Īlerted to the killings by sounds of chimpanzee screams, last year Townsend and his colleagues directly witnessed one infanticide, where a bleeding mother with a one-week-old child in tow was pursued by six females, five of which had clinging infants themselves. Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment collaborated with Durham University and the Jane Goodall Institute to help rescued and rehabilitated mandrills return to their native habitats in Republic of the Congo. Saffron’s birth is an example of how we work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to help ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species in managed care to create healthy and genetically diverse populations of animals for years to come.īut that isn’t the only way we’re working to help this vulnerable species. With only about 4,000 mandrills remaining in the wilds of Africa, this new addition is great news for this vulnerable species. Mandrills are just as colorful on their back side, too, which helps the horde – or family group – follow each other as they travel through the dense forests of Africa. Similar to her namesake, Saffron will develop her unique and bright coloration once she fully matures in three to four years. Their colorations and patterns are unique, and no two strands of hair are the same. Like Rafiki, “The Lion King” character who was based on this species, mandrills are well known for their vibrant colors, including brilliant shades of blue, red and pink on their faces and yellow manes. *Mom Hazel (right) with her daughters Ivy (left) and Saffron (right). The bond between the two has been inseparable, and even Saffron’s sister Ivy has yet to hold her. Similar to how a human soothes a baby by rocking it back and forth, Hazel will often groom Saffron to comfort her. Moms assume most parental responsibilities in mandrill social structures, and Hazel has been sweet and nurturing since Saffron’s birth on July 24. For now, though, Saffron is clinging tightly to her mom Hazel and nursing in the treetops of their habitat on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Despite this newborn’s current size, mandrills are the largest species of monkeys in the world, and she could grow up to 25 pounds in a few years. Weighing less than three pounds, this pint-sized baby girl is named Saffron and could almost fit in the palm of your hand. Like the famous scene in “The Lion King,” join us in celebrating the birth of an adorable baby mandrill at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Sing it with me – “It’s the circle of life … and it moves us all!” ![]()
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