New Drill Thrills at Edinburgh Zoo
Lauren Witherspoon, Reporter
Edinburgh zoo has released pictures of their newest drill monkey, born six weeks ago.
This baby drill is the first to be born at Edinburgh Zoo, making the new arrival even more special.
Donald Gow, Senior Primate, Hoofstock and Koala keeper said: “Drills are the rarest and most endangered primate in Africa. Relatively few zoos have drills, including only three zoos in the UK, making this birth particularly significant for the conservation of these rare animals.
“We had high hopes that our drill group would breed and are delighted to have a new baby.”
“Mum Nora, one of two female drills who arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in 2009, is an excellent mum. She’s being very protective of her baby, but the youngster can be a bit of handful. Our baby drill is pretty adventurous and likes to explore, but mum is staying close and keeping a watchful eye on everything.”
“Dad, Illembo, arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in 2006. Our drills are the largest monkeys we have at Edinburgh Zoo, but even by drill standards Illembo is very big, weighing around 45 kgs. “Like most male drills he is a fairly ‘hands-off’ dad, occasionally coming over to check on the baby, but for the most part allowing Nora to get on with the childcare.”
The wild drill population has decreased by 50 percent over the last 30 years making them a listed endangered species.
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