The San Diego Zoo has welcomed Makeda, a female hamadryas baboon born June 25, who is already drawing attention from her attentive troop and can now be seen.
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Zoo’s newest resident is already turning heads! A hamadryas baboon infant named Makeda is exploring her habitat alongside her troop.
Zoo officials announced Tuesday that Makeda was born June 25 to parents Anakin and Lex. Her name pays tribute to Ethiopian history. Makeda is the traditional name of the Queen of Sheba, a figure long associated with royalty and greatness.
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Zoo staff say both parents, along with other members of the troop, have been keeping a close eye on the newborn and checking on her as she adjusts to life in the group.
As of now, Makeda stays close to her mother. Hamadryas baboon infants typically cling to their mother’s fur during their first weeks of life. Females usually give birth to one infant at a time.
Makeda’s appearance will change as she ages. Hamadryas baboons are born with pink skin and black fur, but by about age 1, their coats turn brown and begin to resemble those of adults.
The hamadryas baboon stands out from other baboon species because it lives farther north than any of its relatives. Although it no longer exists in the wild in Egypt, populations can still be found across parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the zoo’s newest resident can head to Africa Rocks, where Makeda may be seen riding on her mother’s back or playing as she gains her independence.
According to the San Diego Zoo, the young baboon offers visitors a unique opportunity to watch baboon development from its earliest stages.