Adelaide Zoo has welcomed the birth of its first mandrill in six years, a species of monkey that is classed as vulnerable to extinct in the wild.
Born in the early hours of Monday, October 9, the week-old monkey is the second born to mum Niari and third for dad Tabah.
Adelaide Zoo senior primate keeper Sophie Miller said the tiny youngster, which is the ninth of its species to be born at Adelaide Zoo, was thriving.
"It was certainly a nice surprise to arrive at work last week and be greeted by Niari and her new arrival," she said.
"The little one is already getting a lot of attention from the rest of the mandrill family, but Niari is being a very protective mum and has a strict hands-off policy with the rest of the family.
"Big sister Mayombe is particularly keen to get a closer look at her new sibling but the infant is clinging tightly to mum."
The infant's gender is yet to be revealed.
Mandrills, the largest species of monkey, are classified as vulnerable to extinct in the wild following habitat loss caused by deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade.
The latest new arrival follows the birth of five baby meerkats in August.
