ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating the arrival of a new baby mandrill, the theme park announced Thursday.
The baby, born on July 24, has been named Saffron, theme park officials said. The female mandrill weighs less than three pounds and can almost fit into the palm of a human’s hands.
Despite this newborn’s current size, mandrills are the largest species of monkeys in the world. Saffron could grow up to 25 pounds in a few years, but for now, she is nursing and clinging tightly to her mom, Hazel. The baby will develop her unique and bright coloration like the rest of the mandrills once she fully matures in three to four years.
According to Animal Kingdom officials, only about 4,000 mandrills remain in the wilds of Africa. Saffron’s birth is an example of how the theme park works 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.
Saffron and Hazel can be found in the treetops of their habitat on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Late last month, Orange County Commissioners approved the purchase of more than 20 acres of green space in Horizon West as part of the county’s Green PLACE program. What You Need To Know During a July 25 meeting, Orange County commissioners approved the purchase of more than 20 acres of land in Horizon West County officials say the goal of the acquisition is to enhance flooding mitigation and keep a natural […]
