Last Updated on July 21, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoological Park has recorded a significant conservation milestone with the birth of a baby Putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), marking a major success in its captive breeding and wildlife conservation efforts.
The infant primate, born on the morning of July 18, 2025, is the offspring of Ema, a female Putty-nosed monkey donated to the Park approximately six years ago by the Centre for Education, Research, and Conservation of Primates and Nature (CERCOPAN). Over the years, Ema has fully acclimatised to her enriched habitat within the Park and is now a symbol of hope for the conservation of this vulnerable species under human care.
Native to the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, Putty-nosed monkeys are known for their distinct facial markings and unique vocalisations. With a gestation period of about six months, the successful delivery of the infant demonstrates the reproductive viability of the species in captivity and underscores the effectiveness of the Park’s comprehensive animal welfare strategies, which include habitat enrichment, species-specific nutrition, and attentive veterinary care.
Speaking on the development, the Director, FUNAAB Zoological Park, Prof. Sammy Sam-Wobo, described the birth as a conservation victory not only for the Park and the University but for broader national and global efforts to safeguard endangered wildlife through ethical and sustainable breeding practices.
The new arrival is currently bonding with its mother within a protected enclosure, and public viewing would be introduced gradually to ensure the infant’s health and adaptation.
The achievement further affirms FUNAAB Zoo Park’s commitment to its fourfold mandate of conservation, education, research, and community engagement, solidifying its reputation as a leading institution in wildlife management and environmental stewardship.
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Pictures are attached below👇
