Cherry-crowned mangabey at Paignton Zoo, Devon
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
These beautiful primates are found in swamps, mangroves and valley forests on the Atlantic coast of West Africa.
Mangabeys are omnivores, eating various fruits, nuts, seeds, grasses and insects.
Conservation
Cherry-crowned mangabeys face habitat destruction of their native range. The species has been classified as Endangered, down from Vulnerable, by the IUCN in the last couple of years, due to the wild population decreasing.
This species is present in a number of protected areas, including the Omo Forest Reserve in Nigeria, where Paignton Zoo supports a conservation project for forest elephants. Being one of only a handful of UK zoos that houses cherry-crowned mangabeys, our individuals are also part of the EAZA ex-situ breeding programme (EEP).