The Fort Worth Zoo recently welcomed a new baby mandrill, and it’s as adorable as you can imagine.
Born on Sept. 13, Jasper weighed approximately 2 pounds — about the size of a pineapple — at birth. He is the first male mandrill born at the zoo in over 30 years.
Jasper’s parents are Scarlett and J.J., and his name pays homage to the red gemstone, honoring both his mother and older sister, Ruby, while also including the “J” in tribute to his father, as noted by the Fort Worth Zoo on social media.
“Mom and Jasper are bonding well, and the new family of four is spending time together!” Fort Worth Zoo wrote online. “Big sister Ruby is adjusting to her new role and often explores the habitat on her own. She regularly calls out to her mother, staying in touch with Scarlett, and is frequently seen exhibiting protective behaviors over her new baby brother.”
Ruby was born earlier this year.
What is a mandrill and why is the species population declining?
Native to West-Central Africa, the mandrill is an Old World monkey known for its colorful face, featuring bright blue and red skin on its muzzle and buttocks. Often mistaken for baboons, mandrills are strikingly distinct in appearance.