Names sought as male drill monkey born at Cork's Fota Wildlife Park
The baby male drill born on July 18 at Fota Wildlife Park. The young male is the offspring of nine-year-old mother Lewa and 10-year-old father Ekona. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO.
Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of an endangered male drill monkey on July 18, the first of its kind in Ireland.
The young drill is the offspring of nine-year-old mother Lewa and 10-year-old father Ekona and is the first of its species to be born at the Cork conservation facility as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP).
Over the past 30 years, drill populations have declined by at least 50%. Their total natural habitat covers less than 40,000 square kilometres, roughly half the size of Ireland.
Lead Ranger Teresa Power said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce the birth of this baby drill, it’s a first not only for Fota Wildlife Park but for Ireland as well. The drill is an incredibly rare and endangered species, so it’s a real privilege to be part of the conservation and care of the species.
“Lewa, the new mother, is doing an excellent job. She’s very protective, and the young male is nursing well, this is her first baby. For now, Lewa and the baby are being kept separate from the rest of the group, along with Banni, our younger female, who is both curious and attentive toward the new arrival.
Ms Power added that drill infants are born with a distinctive black cap of hair, which they usually lose around six months of age, saying:
"Lewa, however, is quick to pull him back and keep him close. We plan to reunite the group once the baby is a little bigger and more independent.”
Fota Wildlife Park is asking the public to help name the young male monkey, and to enter their suggestion via the website at www.fotawildlife.ie/blogs/news, for the chance to win a Conservation Annual Pass.
App?
