Gelada

## About

A male gelada.

The gelada ***(Theropithecus gelada)*** sometimes called the bleeding heart monkey and incorrectly, the gelada baboon, is a species of old world monkey that is only found in the highland ranges of Ethiopia living at 1,800–4,400 m above sea levels. This animal is the only known member of the Theropithecus genus, a Greek root word meaning beast monkey. These animals are also seen as the world most terrestrial primate other than humans according to National Geographic. These animals are purely herbivorous and are the last surviving specie of ancient grazing primates. Geladas are large and robust primates that have dark brown to black hair. They express a light yellow colouration that fades into a more brownish colour. These primates also express a dark face with pale eyes. its tail ends with a tuft of hair similar to that of a lion. Adult males express a thick cape of fur all throughout their back. Gelada reach up to 19.7 to 29.1 in (50 to 74 cm) in length and can weigh up to 28.6 to 46.2 lbs (13 to 21 kg). This makes them one of the heaviest monkeys being close to their other African relative, the mandrill ***(Mandrillus sphynx)***. Because the gelada has a lack of skin patches on its chest, during breeding season the females will often express a bright crimson colour to attract attention from other male geladas. According to Animalia.bio The geladas have small powerful fingers in which they use as tool to efficiently pull out grass roots with ease, along with small incisors designed for chewing it. Gelada's are known to live for around 30 years with captive geladas having a higher average life expectancy.

## Diet

As said previously gelada monkeys are the last surviving members of a group of ancient grazing monkeys, whom ate predominately grass. Grass is seen in 90% of the gelada's diet in this highlands of Ethiopia. Though these monkeys are not entirely herbivorous, as when given the opportunity they are often observed to go for fruits, invertebrates and even cereal crops. Though they do fall under the sub-classification of graminivorous meaning that they are a predominately grazing animal. This diet is also seasonal, as they will find themselves grazing annual seeds, bulbs and other greens.

## Conservation status

Because of the gelada's exclusive range in the Ethiopian highlands, it does not often come into any conflict with humans. Conservation actions to maintain their lack of conflict with humans has come into play, with national parks within the Simien mountains have been observed to hold up to 4,300 geladas currently. This is believed to be the largest population of geladas in one region. Though the gelada does not come into direct contact with humans, threats like expanding agriculture has led to much of the gelada homeland succumbing to eroding in the regions they inhabit. Because of the geladas grazing lifestyle, soil erosion is the biggest conservation issue that the species has. Grazing competition with livestock has also become a growing problem within the Ethiopian highlands. In the past, geladas used to be captured in for zoos. This act has been discontinued. Trophy hunting by tourists is also a annual issue that occurs in small communities. According to IUCN the introduction to tapeworms within the soil they graze and parasitic swelling has lead to a large number of gelada casualties. Climate change has also led to a decrease in the population of geladas on the peaks of the Ethiopian highlands. Due to humans invading gelada territory via agriculture introduction, in the Ethiopian highlands many geladas are hunted by domesticated dogs ***(Canis lupus familiaris)*** that inhabit the gelada's range. Geladas were also previously hunted for their coats though, this was discontinued.

## Range and Population

As mentioned earlier the gelada specifically ranges in the densely highlands of Ethiopia. More specifically the Afroalpine grasslands, in which the species grazes in large troops and lives an almost completely herbivorous diet. These regions refer to large cliff faces and valleys that course through the mountains and gorges. A few communities of gelada have been observed to live close to certain valleys, specifically the Rift valley where many large communities of gelada live both west and east of it, as well as the nearby Takkazzé River. An aerial survey conducted in the 1970s concluded that there were possibly 440,000 geladas in their range at the time. An alternative statistic was also given to account for an undercount, being 840,000 individuals. This population has decreased since the 70s, and their numbers are almost certainly not as great.

## Behaviour

Geladas are seen as primarily diurnal, often sleeping on cliff faces and edges at night. As the Sun rises the troop awakens to the travel to the tops of the plateau to feed and engage in routine social engagements. Social interactions generally ends after morning and after that they spend most of their time foraging for more food along the cliff faces. Geladas are very social animals that will often groom one another to maintain relationships between both male and female and female and child. Gelada troops are generally comprised of 1-12 adult females, their young and 1-4 males. Other groups include bachelor groups (2-15 males) and bands (2-27 reproductive units and several all-male groups). Geladas have a unique social structure due to their interesting multiple reproductive units that form a larger structure, which shares a common home range and can include hundreds of geladas. Geladas are also known for their bright red chest and enormous, intimidating canines. The bright red chest of a gelada represents their hormone levels in males when they are in their prime for sexual reproduction, while females chest patches blister during estrus. However, the canines on the gelada aren't actually used for conflict, as similarly to the ancient sabre-tooth cat ***(Felidae)***, are very fragile. Geladas are also herbivorous and they do not need to use these canines for anything to do with tearing flesh. Instead they are rather used just for male-to-male intimidation, often to win over females in their social hierarchy. According to African Wildlife Foundation, Geladas females are sexually mature between four and five years old, whereas males attain sexual maturity between five and seven years of age with females being the sole caretaker of a newborn.

### Relationship with Humans

Contrary to popular belief and regardless of their very intimidating look, geladas are harmless to humans and are much more docile than hostile. These animals come into contact with humans rarely, as many people do not venture to the Ethiopian highlands. Conflict only occurs with humans when humans invade gelada territory due to growing agriculture in their range, as hunting and poaching doesn't often occur and isn't a true threat. Geladas are generally seen as a generally tolerant species.

## In Captivity

As said earlier Geladas were in the past captured to be put in zoos though this is no longer an occurrence in the Ethiopian highlands. Geladas appear to be a very popular primate in zoos ranging from all across Europe to America according to ZOOINSTITUTES.

## Sources

* Gelada - National Geographic | https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/gelada
* Gelada - Animalia.bio | https://animalia.bio/gelada
* Gelada - IUCN | https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21744/217754712
* Gelada - African Wildlife Foundation | https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/gelada
* Gelada - ZOOINSTITUTES | https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/gelada-baboon-1586/