The Fort Worth Zoo joyfully announces the birth of Ruby, a female mandrill born on Jan. 11, 2024. Ruby is the first mandrill born at the zoo since 1995, according to a Chron article. In it they say,
“A Texas zoo just welcomed the birth of a colorful primate species you might recognize from Disney’s The Lion King. This week, the Fort Worth Zoo announced a female baby mandrill, named Ruby, was born on Jan. 11, 2024 to mother, Scarlett, and father, J.J. She’s the first mandrill born at the zoo since 1995.“
Born on Jan. 11, 2024, the adorable female mandrill, Ruby, is thriving at the Fort Worth Zoo. Estimated at around two pounds, she closely bonds with her mom, Scarlett, according to an NBCDFW article. As per the report,
“The female monkey was born Jan. 11, 2024, and named Ruby, as a nod to her mom Scarlett. Her father is J.J.
Mom and Ruby are doing very well and have formed a healthy bond with Ruby holding tight to mom as they move around their habitat.
Ruby has been staying so close to mom the zoo says she has not been measured or weighed, but zookeepers estimate she’s about two pounds, about the size of a pineapple.”
With the third mandrill birth in nearly three decades, the Fort Worth Zoo celebrates a conservation milestone. Scarlett and Ruby are thriving, forming a healthy bond, according to a Dallas Morning News article. It reports,
““Given that it has been nearly three decades, and this is only the third mandrill birth, the zoo is celebrating this conservation advancement,” the zoo wrote in a statement.
The zoo said Scarlett and Ruby are “doing very well” and have a healthy bond, adding mandrill babies nurse for roughly six to 12 months and remain close to their mother’s side even after weaning. Because Ruby is always attached, she has not been measured or weighed, but the zoo said it estimates she weighs about two pounds, comparable to the size of a pineapple.”
Represented by Rafiki in The Lion King, mandrills are listed as vulnerable. Ruby’s birth at the Fort Worth Zoo contributes to genetic diversity, ensuring their survival.
