Interesting about the male Drill not showing himself in this open enclosure . The breeding group of Mandrills were housed in a circular pit with a central raised area with cover , the male was also hiding himself away here . Possibly , like Gorillas , these Forest-living monkeys are not happy being out in the open . At Chester we were told that the Mandrills are far more likely to be seen out on their island on non-sunny days .
Possibly , like Gorillas , these Forest-living monkeys are not happy being out in the open . At Chester we were told that the Mandrills are far more likely to be seen out on their island on non-sunny days .
I think that is so. Trotters have a Mandrill group that don't much like using their big open outdoor area I believe.
It often seems to be the big male in a group (and in Gorillas too) which is most reluctant to show itself. This may be because he experiences more stress than the others(females/young) in the group and so he absents himself from the cause of the stress- the proximity of the public audience, by hiding or turning his back. One of the European Drill keeping Zoos (Stuttgart?) studied their Drill group activity and the adult male's 'retiring' behaviour in particular, and came to that conclusion. When the public were moved further away, he started to show himself more frequently and behaved in more relaxed fashion.
