Gelada
Theropithecus gelada
Here at Banham Zoo
Our family of geladas is a group of brothers. These large baboons spend most of their time sitting down not because they are lazy or tired, but because geladas are vegetarians. Sitting down and shuffling along on their bottoms is an efficient way to pick grass and food to eat.
Due to all this sitting, they have evolved special hardened pads on their bottoms called ischial callosities. Our group enjoys both chilling indoors, watching visitors pass by, and exploring their large outdoor habitat where they display this unusual foraging behaviour.
Where Do I Live?
Northeast Africa
Gelada baboons are found in the high grasslands and rocky gorges of the central Ethiopian highlands in northeast Africa.
What Do I Eat?
Geladas are grazers, feeding mainly on a variety of grasses. They are the only primate to have a mostly grass diet!
How Do I Breed?
Geladas live in groups of a single male and a number of females, although bachelor groups are common. A single young is born after a pregnancy of between five and six months.
Together, we protect wildlife
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
Lowest risk of endangerment.
The gelada baboon is not classed as endangered, although its numbers are decreasing due to the spread of agriculture in their habitat. They are also persecuted as crop pests in some areas.
Some Helpful Links
Where is the
Gelada
located?
Our
Gelada
is located in our
Explorer Zone
, map reference
1
.
What’s the best time to see the animals?
The best time to see our animals is often during feeding times or in the cooler parts of the day when they are most active. Check our daily timetable for keeper talks and feeding sessions for an up-close look! Our habitat signage also includes helpful hints and tips to make the most of your visit.
How do you ensure the animals' welfare?
Animal welfare is our top priority. We provide species-specific habitats, enrichment activities, and expert veterinary care to ensure all our animals thrive.
