Gelada

The Gelada is a primate that lives in the highlands of Ethiopia at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 4,400 meters.

A herbivorous monkey par excellence, it feeds exclusively on herbaceous plants. Highly social, the Gelada can live in groups of up to 500 individuals. Sexual dimorphism is very marked. Males weigh up to 18 kg and have very long, mane-like coats. Smaller females weigh an average of 11 kg and have shorter coats.

Both males and females have an hourglass-shaped area of bare pink to red skin on their torso. In females, during heat, this hourglass changes from pink to bright red, signalling to the male his receptivity. This species benefits from a European breeding program.