Drill

Did you know?
that the drill is highly threatened and under enormous pressure from hunting as the sweet 'bushmeat' of this species is an important income for many people in the region? Troups of noisy drills make an easy target for poachers.

Photo Copyright by
Arend de Haas- African Conservation Foundation

Why do zoos keep this animal

Due to poaching and habitat loss and fragmentation, by 1986 there were thought to be fewer than 10,000 Mandrillus leucophaeus surviving in the wild, and they were identified in the IUCN/SSC Action Plan for African Primate Conservation as one of six primates in the highest priority category for conservation needs. Since then the estimated number of remaining drills has decreased to fewer than 3.000 animals, whereas the zoo population has increased only slightly. With a view of building up a viable reserve population, an International Studbook had been established in 1982 under the WAZA umbrella, and coordinated conservation breeding programmes are operated at the regional level by EAZA and JAZA.The need to establish conservation initiatives to protect drills in the wild is known for more than two decades and, in the revised IUCN Action Plan for African Primate Conservation the drill is identified as the single species in greatest need of conservation action. Drills continue to be hunted and eaten as so called bush meat.

How this animal should be kept

Drills are social animals and should be kept in family groups or for a limited time span in male groups.

Minimum size for an inside enclosure for a group of 1,3 animals would be 50 m², while minimum size for outside enclosures for a group of 1,3 animals would be 70 m² plus off exhibit facility of 10 m², the height of all exhibits should not be less than 3 m.

Basically a fully closed enclosure with covering roof is preferred. A variety of behavioural enrichment compartments, especially climbing structures, is recommended. Towards visitors there should be glass to prevent direct contact or feeding, the glass only on 1 or 2 sides to allow some off view areas for the animals; double layered glass of 2 x 10 mm thickness is reliable. Walls: minimum height in closed enclosures is 3 m and should not be used on all sides to allow visual contact to the outside, not only to the front; to the sides or back fence with an overhang or covering roof; if a fence towards the public then at least at a distance of 2 m; fence material: 3 mm and 20 x 20 mm mesh, covering roof to prevent escape and allow high climbing structures for the animals; hot wire as secondary barrier and to protect trees inside the enclosure.

Drills should have a high percentage of feeding behaviour. A varied diet offered more than 5 times per day is important for enrichment. Even the quality and type of diet should be varied. One goal of feeding should be to stimulate natural feeding behaviour and to encourage exploration and manipulation. This should be considered when planning the outside and inside enclosures. For example some of the following items should be offered irregularly: fresh browse, small food items, worms, cereals, drums with peanuts inside, paper boxes or paper wrapped around food, food on the ceilings, wood chips mixed with seeds or small fruit items, "food sticks". Cardboard boxes, newspapers, sticks, toys, etc. can also be given for play and investigation. Regular food items are apple, carrot, celery, cucumber, hard boiled egg, rice, lettuce, monkey chow/pellets, parsley, tomato, branches. Food is offered 5 times daily. As noted above, food should be spread to encourage social dynamics and is very important as behavioural enrichment.

For giving oral medication within food it is mixed into riceballs or human baby food (if necessary add sugar, honey or milk substitute). It is important to offer these additional food items regularly in order to achieve acceptance in case of necessary medication.