Gelada Baboons
Geladas are actually the last surviving species of a once widespread group of grass grazing primates.
Geladas are actually the last surviving species of a once widespread group of grass grazing primates.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Our family of Gelada baboons at Howletts share their large open topped enclosure, near the Gatehouse, with our group of black and white colobus monkeys. Whilst they live together in relative harmony, occasionally a young gelada, full of mischief, will pull the colobus’ tails and run away, which obviously causes a bit of an uproar!
Whilst referred to as a baboon, geladas are actually the last surviving species of a once widespread group of grass grazing primates.
In the wild geladas can only be found on the rocky highland escarpments of Northern Ethiopia. By night they sleep on rocky outcrops and during the day, they graze on the lush grasslands.