Colobus and Gelada Exhibit, Howletts, 14 March 09

This open-topped primate exhibit is one of the most impressive at Howletts. The caged enclosure in the distance would be considered adequate for a black-and-white colobus group at most zoos, but in addition they have access to a large grassed area furnished with plentiful climbing and foraging opportunities. Since 2007, a pair of gelada have shared this exhibit with the colobus.

This exhibit is far superior to the fully enclosed primate cages that are common at Howletts, and the mix of species is intriguing and somewhat daring considering the possible aggression that baboons sometimes have toward other animals. Visitors to the zoo get a much better view of the primates, and the "cage mentality" is taken away by the presence of an open-topped enclosure.

This is a truly enormous enclosure. The only failing in my opinion is there are no natural mature trees in it but no doubt the Colubus would eventually eat all the foliage and damage them even if there were. There is a group of young deciduous trees in the central area and these are already starting to look damaged and broken.

The only other thing is having just the single pair of Gelada baboons sharing the enclosure. They do look rather 'lost' in this huge space(it is an enormous area) and I wonder if they will be adding to them in the future.