Adorable baby monkey born at London Zoo named ‘Buzz’ after the Apollo 11 astronaut gives fresh hope for the survival of his rare species
- The white naped mangabey primate was born at ZSL zoo in London
- One of eight at the zoo he is part of a breeding programme to save the species
- Named Buzz after the famous astronaut who landed on the moon 50 years ago
An adorable three-week old baby monkey has been born at ZSL London zoo and named after famed astronaut, Buzz Aldrin.
The white naped mangabey primate was born to proud mum Achimoto, a nine year old monkey at the zoo following a five and a half-month gestation period.
His birth is a positive sign for the breeding programme at the zoo which is trying to save the species, known as one of the rarest in the world, from extinction.
Staff and zookeepers opted for Buzz due to this year marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin was the second man on the moon behind Neil Armstrong and the team found buzz to be a more apt name than Neil.
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The white naped mangabey primate was born to proud mum Achimoto, a nine year old monkey at the zoo following a five and a half-month gestation period. Fathered by dominant male Lucky, Buzz takes the Zoo’s troop to a total of eight
Staff and zookeepers opted to name the baby primate (pictured left, in his mother’s arms) Buzz due to this year marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing where the astronaut name sake (right) went to the lunar surface
Fathered by dominant male Lucky, Buzz takes the Zoo’s troop to a total of eight.
Buzz’s hairless body may still be clinging to his mother but his presence is crucial for the survival of his species.
The animals are classed as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN and are some of the rarest primates in the world.
ZSL is part of the European breeding programme for endangered species (EEP) and Buzz’s arrival spurs hope for the animals which are only found in the wild in some parts of western Africa.
They are under threat from habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade, including being hunted for their fur and as bushmeat.
Mangabays are excellent climbers and agile jumpers thanks to their long tails and slender limbs.
Buzz’s mum Achimoto is often seen nursing her little one while foraging on the floor for leaves, seeds and nuts.
Team leader Daniel Simmonds said: ‘Buzz is an important new arrival here at the Zoo, and we hope his future is as prosperous as that of his namesake!
‘Famous for their vocalisations, mangabeys have a special throat sac which they use to project their voice through the dense forest canopies – from shrieks and whoops to barks and grunts, their vocal repertoire is as varied as it is loud and helps them stay connected with their families while they forage.
‘Up until now, Buzz has been tightly snuggled on mum’s chest, but visitors to the zoo over the next few days are likely to see Buzz testing out his own voice and foraging skills, as he ventures small distances away from mum’s arms to mimic the rest of the adults and youngsters in the troop.’
Mangabays are excellent climbers and agile jumpers thanks to their long tails and slender limbs and keeps say Buzz’s mum Achimoto is often seen nursing her little one while foraging on the floor for leaves, seeds and nuts
Buzz’s hairless body may still be clinging to his mother but his presence is crucial for the survival of his species as he boosts the population numbers of a vulnerable species
Team leader Daniel Simmonds said: ‘Buzz is an important new arrival here at the Zoo, and we hope his future is as prosperous as that of his namesake!’ He was named after the second man on the moon, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin
