PEORIA, Ill. – There’s a new resident at the Peoria Zoo.
The zoo announced Tuesday that a baby mandrill was born on August 19th. The baby was born to first-time mother Kofola and father Linus.
While the zoo says the baby is “thriving,” zookeepers and veterinary staff have yet to examine the baby, so its gender is not currently known.
Animal Keeper Regan Slonecker says the baby is exploring.
“Baby is very interested in everything going on around him/her, is very watchful, and curious. He/she has started reaching for things and is crawling all over mom,” Slonecker says.
In addition to the new family, the zoo has an additional mandrill, Tara, who is showing interest in the baby.
Mandrills are listed as a vulnerable species, with the main threats being hunting for food and habitat destruction.
Both Kofola and Linus were recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. Kofola arrived in July 2022 from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, while Linus came in February of this year.
The typical gestation period for mandrills is around 180 days.
