A drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), one of Africa’s most endangered primates, has been born at BIOPARC Valencia, strengthening the park’s contribution to the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). With nine individuals, BIOPARC is home to Spain’s largest drill group and the third largest in Europe.
The female infant was born overnight on 7 August to first-time mother Akira. Both mother and baby are doing well under the close supervision of the animal care team. Experienced females within the troop are also helping the young mother, reflecting the strong social bonds that characterise this highly social primate.
Visitors can already observe the newborn in BIOPARC’s immersive African rainforest habitat, where the drills live alongside species including the pygmy hippopotamus, sitatunga, northern talapoin monkeys and Egyptian geese.
The birth is the latest conservation success for BIOPARC Valencia, following recent births of rhinoceroses, elephants, chimpanzees and Mhorr gazelles. These programmes are part of the One Plan Approach promoted by the IUCN, which integrates conservation efforts both in the wild and under human care.
The drill is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations continuing to decline due to habitat destruction and hunting across the forests of West and Central Africa.
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