ORLANDO, Fla. — Saffron, the newborn baby mandrill born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, could almost fit in the palm of your hand.
The pint-sized mandrill is part of the same species Rafiki from “The Lion King” is based on.
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Disney officials said Saffron was born on July 24. They said since then, she’s been bonding and clinging tightly to her mother, Hazel.
“Similar to how a human soothes a baby by rocking it back and forth, Hazel will often groom Saffron to comfort her,” officials said. “The bond between the two has been inseparable, and even Saffron’s sister Ivy has yet to hold her.”
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Mandrills are well known for their vibrant colors, including brilliant shades of blue, red and pink on their faces and yellow manes. They also have colorful backsides that help their family groups identify each other.
Officials said their colorations and patterns are unique, and no two hair strands are identical. The monkeys develop their individual and bright coloring by 3 or 4 years old.
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Disney officials said only about 4,000 mandrills remain in the wilds of Africa. They said Saffron’s birth is an example of how Disney works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to help ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species.
Photos: Pint-sized baby mandrill born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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