FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Zoo has welcomed a new baby into their home.
Jasper, a baby mandrill, was born on Sept. 13 to dad J.J. and mom Scarlett. He is the second mandrill born at the zoo this year.
The zoo says Jasper weighed about two pounds at birth which is about the size of a pineapple.
Jasper was named after the red gemstone as a nod to his mom, Scarlett, and older sister, Ruby, while carrying the “J” to represent his father, J.J.
Zoo officials say mom and Jasper are doing very well and have formed a healthy bond with Jasper holding tight to mom as they move around their habitat.
Mandrill babies tend to nurse for six to 12 months and will remain close to their mothers even after weaning.
Jasper's sister Ruby was born in February.
"Big sister Ruby is stepping into her new role as she explores the habitat on her own but calls out regularly, staying in communication with Scarlett. She can often be seen exhibiting protective displays, standing over her new baby brother," the Zoo said in a news release.
Prior to Jasper and Ruby, there have only been two mandrill births – a female in 1992 and a male in 1995 – in Fort Worth Zoo history.
"After nearly three decades without a mandrill birth, the Zoo is thrilled to have back-to-back baby monkeys that represent a conservation success," the zoo said in a news release.
Mandrills are listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are only found in a few countries in West-Central Africa where populations have been on the decline because of illegal, unregulated hunting and destruction of their habitat.
Jasper, snuggled close to Scarlett, and the other mandrills can now be seen in the zoo’s World of Primates habitat.