It's A Boy!

News from Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom!

Real-life Rafiki born at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

06/16/2011

By Matt Hohne
After six and a half months of waiting, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has welcomed a "colorful" addition to its animal family. A male baby mandrill was born May 30 to first-time mother, Kelley, and is the third born at the park. Mom and baby are doing very well.

Kelley and Baby Mandrill

Native to Africa, mandrills are among the largest species of monkey in the world and are considered endangered. They're known for their bright coloration, furry head crests, manes and beards. Adults also have thick purple and blue ridges along their noses, red lips and golden beards. Fans of Disney's animated movie "The Lion King" might recall Rafiki, who was not only a colorful character but a mandrill as well.
So far, our Primate team members are encouraged by the bonding between mother and infant. The baby spends most of his day nursing and sleeping, and the team has been closely observing Kelley and her baby to ensure that all continues to go well.

Barb Weber, one of our Primate Zoological managers, reports that the new mom is very relaxed but protective. The team is pleased that young female mandrill, Scarlett, has taken a keen interest in the newborn, noting that this is a great experience for her because she is learning from the baby's mom how to be a good mom herself.
The baby and mom are starting to make short forays into their habitat on the Kilimanjaro Safaris, joining other members of the mandrill group.
With the new baby, the number of mandrills that make their home at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has grown to 12. The park is part of a breeding program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that is focused on sustaining the mandrill population.
Fun Facts:

• Disney's Animal Care experts do not separate mandrill moms from their babies to weigh them if all is going well after birth. Therefore, they don't know exactly how much the baby weighs. Their guess: 2 pounds or less.
• Preparations for motherhood began long before the baby mandrill was born. For example, primate keepers train future moms to pick up objects to simulate picking up their baby after it is born.
• Adult female mandrills weigh an average of 30 pounds. Adult males are larger and average 60-100 pounds.