New primate births reported at Heidelberg and Vienna zoos

Heidelberg Zoo has announced the birth of a female white-capped mangabey in mid-September. The birth is considered a significant contribution to species conservation, as white-capped mangabeys are among the most endangered primate species in West Africa, facing threats from habitat destruction and hunting in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.

Heidelberg Zoo has been involved in protecting this species for over 20 years and helped found the West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) in 2001 to coordinate conservation efforts among European zoos.

Separately, Vienna Zoo Schönbrunn has welcomed three baby squirrel monkeys. In this species, males do not participate in childcare; instead, other females within the group assist in raising the young. The monkeys are known for their complex communication styles, which include acoustic exchanges that researchers suggest resemble a dialogue.