Mandrill

Mandrill

We are delighted that Holger Schwan has taken over the sponsorship of the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx).

After the great apes, they are the largest representatives of the apes - and they are among the most colourful mammals of all: the blue-red facial colouring, which is particularly pronounced in the dominant males, is unique and has a striking signal effect in the undergrowth of the forest.

Mandrills have a relatively small distribution area in Africa. They are only found in the border areas between Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Gabon, where they are typical rainforest inhabitants.

When the animals are out foraging in their harem groups during the day, large and heavy males mainly stay on the ground, while the lighter females and their offspring usually forage for food at low heights in the trees. The omnivores mainly eat fruit and seeds, but also leaves, mushrooms, insects and smaller vertebrates.

The destruction of their habitat and hunting of the animals for their meat has reduced the number of mandrills in the wild by more than 30% over the last 30 years. The species is therefore categorised as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is even considered extinct in some areas.