The Bronx Zoo is the only Zoo in the country that exhibits gelada or "bleeding heart" baboons, and this little guy is the first one to make a public debut since 2002. Weighing in at a whopping 460 grams at birth, he spent the winter in private, bonding with his mother, Fayola. Apparently, it's baby primate season.
Geladas are native to the Ethiopian Highlands, and eat mostly grass. Their "bleeding heart" nickname comes from the red patch of skin emblazoned on each gelada chest. When this baby comes of age, he'll likely weigh 65 pounds, and sport extra-long canines, which he'll flash at other male geladas during mating season. According to a press release from the Zoo, he'll also grow a "beautiful flowing cape of long hair" on his back that "resembles a shawl."
All in good time! For now, he seems content to do what babies do.
Jim Breheny, the Zoo's general director, is very excited about this latest addition to Baboon Reserve. This morning, he invoked David Attenborough. "To watch the young gelada race around the hillside, jumping and interacting with the adults is an experience not to be missed," he said in a statement. "It is an inspiring sight that transports you to the East African highlands.”
The Bronx Zoo is located at 2300 Southern Boulevard. (718-220-5100)
