A baby mandrill is the newest addition to the Potter Park Zoo family.
The mandrill, a primate native to Western Africa, was born Nov. 18, 2010, to mother Abuuka and father Loko. The male baby brings the zoo's mandrill population to four, including the baby's brother, Jalani.
Zoo officials typically wait at least a month before announcing the birth of a new animal to make sure the baby and mother are healthy, said Payal Ravani, the zoo's public relations coordinator.
Zoo officials are looking for help from the community in naming the baby mandrill. Names should be found in the region where mandrills originate, such as Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo.
Name suggestions can be e-mailed to
potterparkzoo@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Jan. 18. Staff will choose the top three names, and the public will vote for the winning name on the zoo's Facebook page,
Potter Park Zoo | Facebook.
"We're thrilled about the new baby," said Dr. Tara Harrison, a zoo veterinarian/curator.
"He is healthy and active, and already a great addition to the mandrill family."
Zoogoers can visit the baby with his family in the Feline Primate House.
The zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing.
