Zoo's New Baby!
Zoo's New Baby!
Colchester Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of a Cherry-Crowned Mangabey who was born to mum Michelle in the early hours of the morning on Monday 16th July. This is the third baby that Michelle has had since moving to Colchester Zoo in April 2004.Keepers and Curators, who look after the Mangabeys here, are amazed at the size and strength of the baby who seems to be very strong and healthy and is already doing very well. Michelle is a very experienced parent, as is Sputnik the father and they are both very calm and relaxed with the baby. The other two Mangabeys in that particular group are indeed both past offspring of theirs from previous years, making them quite a large family group!
Cherry-Crowned Mangabies are part of a European breeding programme to try and ensure the survival of the sub-species, as they have been hunted to extinction throughout much of their habitat in Southern Nigeria. This is a direct result of the fact that they are heavily hunted by locals for the bush meat trade and pet trade. This coupled with the fact that over 90% of Nigeria's Tropical Rainforests have disappeared over the past 40 years, will lead to the Mangabeys becoming an extremely threatened species unless something is done quickly.
This is why Colchester Zoo's Action for the Wild has stepped in to support CERCOPAN (Centre for Education, Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature) who are working to tirelessly not only to protect these stunning creatures but also to protect their habitats from deforestation. Action for the Wild has pledged to support this project long term, to ensure the protection of these animals for the future. This birth at Colchester Zoo is therefore particularly significant as the rise in individuals living in captivity will enhance the species population as a whole! Anthony Tropeano, Colchester Zoo's Zoological Director said "We are really pleased with our continued success in breeding this beautiful species and are delighted to be able to continue to contribute to the success of the breeding programme"