New publication Journal of East African Natural History 114(10): 94–105 (2025)
A new large primate for Kenya: Hamadryas baboon Papio hamadryas (Primates: Cercopithecidae)
Yvonne A. de Jong and Thomas M. Butynski
Abstract: The hamadryas baboon Papio hamadryas is a large, terrestrial primate endemic to the Arabian Peninsula and Northeast Africa. There are no records of this primate in Kenya. From February 2023 through April 2025, we conducted eight surveys across northern Kenya, from the eastern shore of Lake Turkana eastward to Malka Mari National Park and Wajir. We encountered 37 groups of baboons Papio between Marsabit and Malka Mari National Park, 32 of which were olive baboons Papio anubis. These encounters extend the known geographic distribution of this monkey in northeastern Kenya ~50 km to the east. At least four groups of P. hamadryas were observed in Malka Mari National Park between 655 m asl and 680 m asl. These records are ~75 km southeast of the known range of P. hamadryas in southern Ethiopia, ~100 km northeast of the easternmost P. anubis group, and ~125 km west of the documented range of northern yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus ibeanus. These are the first records of P. hamadryas for Kenya and, thus, for East Africa. We speculate that the range of P. hamadryas extends from Malka Mari National Park northward into Ethiopia along the Daua River, eastward along the Daua River on the Kenya-Ethiopia border to Ramu, and westward to Lulis, just beyond the southwestern corner of Malka Mari National Park. With this addition, Kenya’s primate community comprises three Papio species and four Papio taxa, and a total non-human primate community of 11 genera, 19 species, and 34 taxa.
Distribution, Abundance, and Conservation Status of the Aïr Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas villiersi Dekeyser, 1950 (Primates: Cercopithecidae) in the Aïr Massif-Gadabedji Region, Niger
Yvonne A. de Jong, Adouma Alghoubas, Abdoul Razack Moussa Zabeirou, Mahamane Hassane and Thomas M. Butynski
Abstract: The Aïr patas monkey Erythrocebus patas villiersi is regarded as isolated and endemic to the Aïr Massif of central north Niger, West Africa. The limits of the geographic range of E. p. villiersi are poorly understood, there is no detailed description of the coloration and pattern of its pelage, and its abundance, ecology, behavior, and threats remain unstudied. As a result, this subspecies is listed as ‘Data Deficient’ on TheIUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Based on field observations and photographs, we describe the phenotype of the adult male E. p. villiersi. Spatial data were collected from the literature, museums, colleagues, naturalists, local experts, and online resources to assess its geographic range. The geographic range was overlaid with ArcGIS datasets for altitude, rainfall, temperature, and ecoregions.
Smith’s Dik-Dik Madoqua (guentheri) smithii are monogamous and territorial. They live in pairs with one or two of their offspring. Territorial boundaries are typically marked with scent from their preorbital and pedal glands, and by urine and dung middens. Both sexes mark their territory.
A New Primate for South Sudan: Boutourline’s Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii Giglioli, 1887
By Megan Claase¹, Thomas M. Butynski², Willem Krynauw¹, Matthias de Beenhouwer³, Mike Fay¹, and Yvonne A. de Jong²
¹Boma and Badingilo National Parks, African Parks, Juba, South Sudan
²Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki, Kenya
³African Parks Network, Johannesburg, South Africa
First Video of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Southern Patas Monkey
After Kruger National Park in South Africa, Serengeti National Park in northwestern Tanzania receives more tourists each year (about 500,000) than any other national park in Africa. Few of these many visitors are aware that there is a large mammal in Serengeti National Park that is seldom listed as being present, is infrequently encountered, and rarely photographed. This mammal is the Southern Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus baumstarki), a species that the IUCN Red List recognises as ‘Critically Endangered’. This monkey is profiled in Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates 2023-2025.
