Baby Mangabey at ZSL London Zoo Honors Loyal Volunteer

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 22, 2021 12:10 am

Mother white-naped mangabey, Achimoto cradles her three-week old infant Sheila at ZSL London Zoo in the United Kingdom

Photo Credit: Sheila Smith/ ZSL London Zoo

Zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo have chosen to honor one of the zoological society of London’s dedicated volunteers with the name of their latest white-naped manageby infant. The 3 week old infant was named Sheila in honor of Sheila Smith a volunteer of 13 years with the zoo.

Sheila assists the zoo by taking photographs including those which accompany this article.

The images show newborn monkey Sheila in the arms of mom, Achimoto who gave birth in the early hours of September 26th 2021.

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ZSL London Zoo’s head of primates, Dan Simmonds, said: “Sheila Smith has been a devoted volunteer at the Zoo for more than a decade, and the primate team have always been grateful for her support and dedication to ZSL.

“We decided to name our latest arrival after Sheila to recognise her years of hard work with the primates; she often carries a camera with her when she volunteers, so she’s able to quickly snap amazing images of our new arrivals.”

Achimoto welcomed her latest arrival with father Lucky after a 5 1/2 month gestation period. The youngster brings the white-naped mangabey troop at ZSL London Zoo to nine members.

Hailing solely from western Africa the white-naped mangabey is one of the world’s rarest primate species. Habitat loss and hunting for their fur of the bush meat trade has significantly reduced their numbers.