3456 x 5184 px | 29,3 x 43,9 cm | 11,5 x 17,3 inches | 300dpi
Date de la prise de vue:
5 octobre 2013
Lieu:
Colchester, Essex, England
Informations supplémentaires:
Mandrills are baboon like monkeys which are found in the rainforests of Western Africa. They live in groups that number from 15 to 200 members, although larger groups are made up of smaller groups who come together to feed in the dry season. Mandrill groups are led by dominant males. These males are very colourful, with a red muzzle and ridged, blue swellings on either side. The colouring is also found on their rumps. There are several females and their offspring within the group and younger juvenile males will be tolerated. The dominant male is easily recognisable as he has the brightest colouring. This is because he has the most testosterone and is usually the one to father the offspring of the group. Mandrill groups mainly forage on the forest floor but they do raid fruit trees. They may cover over 8km in a day within their 50 square km range but they stop at intervals for a rest and a grooming session. At night they sleep in trees. Mandrills are one of the more endangered primates in the world. Their numbers are reducing in the wild because of increasing habitat loss and hunting for the bushmeat trade. This is where the Mandrills are hunted in the forests and their meat is sold in markets in the larger towns and cities. Bushmeat is an increasing problem for Africa's primates and other wildlife. Other primates affected by this are Gorillas and Chimpanzees. This species is part of an EEP Breeding programme within European Zoos. Mandrills are at risk in the wild because they are rapidly losing their habitats due to human development and the destruction of rainforests for agriculture
