Ethiopia 29, Simien Mountains, Gelada baboons

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ETHIOPIA
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Gelada baboons
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The gelada (Theropithecus gelada), sometimes
called the gelada baboon, is a species of Old
World monkey found only in the Ethiopian
Highlands, with large populations in the Semien
Mountains. Theropithecus is derived from the
Greek root words for "beast-ape. Like its close
relatives the baboons (genus Papio), it is
largely terrestrial, spending much of its time
foraging in grasslands. Theropithecus gelada is
the only living species of its genus. Geladas are
found only in the high grassland of the deep
gorges of the central Ethiopian plateau
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Simien Mountains National Park is one of the
national parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Semien
(North) Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, its
territory covers the Simien Mountains and
includes Ras Dashan, the highest point in
Ethiopia wild iris
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Simien Mountains National Park was one of the
first sites to be made a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO (1978) wild iris
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Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
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The gelada is the sole survivor of the genus
Theropithecus, which formerly included several
extinct species which were widespread and
successful, found over much of Africa and into
India
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Gelada monkeys live only in the high mountain
meadows of Ethiopia - an environment very unlike
those of their forest - or savanna-dwelling
primate relatives. This high-altitude homeland is
replete with steep, rocky cliffs, to which
geladas have adapted. At night, the animals drop
over precipice edges to sleep huddled together on
ledges
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These baboon-size animals are the world's most
terrestrial primatesexcept for humans. As
grass-eaters, they are the last surviving species
of ancient grazing primates that were once
numerous
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Geladas spend most of their day sitting down,
plucking and munching on grasses. They have fatty
rear ends, much like human buttocks, which seem
well adapted to this activity
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Theropithecus gelada live in small family units
of one male and three to six females. Though
males are larger and more colorful, females
dominate gelada societies
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When an aging male begins to decline, the females
in his family decide when he will be replaced by
a younger rivalthough the male will do all he
can do to drive off such competition
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Gelada family units often combine to form large
foraging bands of 30 to 350 animals. When food is
abundant as many as 670 geladas have been seen
together.
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About 100,000 to 200,000 gelada monkeys survive,
but even their remote mountain locales are
feeling the effects of encroaching agriculture
that threatens the grasslands. Indigenous peoples
also hunt gelada and use their impressive manes
in traditional coming-of-age ceremonies
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Gelada baboons live in groups of one male with
several females and their offspring. These groups
are called one male units, or OMUs. Associated
OMUs may travel in the same area making up a
second level of organization called the band.
OMUs have been known to travel amidst several
different bands at different times or even alone,
so membership within a band is not permanent
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Geladas are not territorial and it is not
uncommon to find congregations of separate bands
grazing together wherever conditions are
favorable. Outside of these social organizations
are groups consisting entirely of males, or AMUs
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Grooming is exhibited by all members of an
OMU. Grooming between the females and their male
and is very important to the social stability of
the group. When OMUs grow beyond capacity, the
male is unable to give grooming attention to all
the females
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When this happens, unity within the group is
lost, leaving numbers of females unattended and
able to form new groups with males from roaming
AMUs
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The females within an OMU are generally the true
leaders of the group. If an outside male attempts
to take over the group by supplanting the male
using physical force, the females may choose to
support or oppose either male. Regardless of who
wins the fight between the two males, the females
can chase the unwanted male from the group with
their own show of physical force. Since only the
male associated with the OMU is in a position to
mate, the females have indirect control over male
reproductive success
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Primates typically have complex social
communication involving visual, tactical and
acoustic symbols. Sometimes, chemical cues are
also used
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Geladas use visual signals, such as facial
expression and body posture, to communicate with
one another
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There are also visual signals associated with
estrus, such as the reddening of the chest patch
in females
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Copulation is usually initiated by the female and
occurs between the estrus females of a group and
the group's male leader
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Gelada baboons do not have a specific mating
season, though it has been noted that the birth
rate is higher during the rainy season.
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The estrus cycles of females within a group are
fairly synchronized, as are births. This may be
due to social influence
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Gestation length in gelada baboons is estimated
at 5 to 6 months. Females generally give birth to
one infant at a time and females with infants are
anestrus. Lactation lasts for about 12 to 18
months.
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Females reach sexual maturity at about 4 or 5
years of age, but males do not become sexually
mature until 5 or 7 years.
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As in other primates, parental care is primarily
the responsibility of females. Females must
carry, groom, nurse and protect their offspring
until the young are independent. The role of
males in the care of offspring is not well
understood
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Gelada baboons are exclusively herbivorous, but
their choice of food changes depending on
seasonal availability. During the wet season
(July and August), when green grass blades are
abundant, they make up 93 of the diet of these
baboons. In November, when the grasses have
seeded, the seeds make up 70 of their diet.
During the dry season (January and February), 67
of their food is grass rhizomes and 25 grass
blades. Geladas are also known to harvest fruits,
tubers, and flowers and stems throughout the
year.
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The Gelada is not in fact peculiar to the Semyen
as is the exclusive Walia Ibex, but they are more
numerous here than in their other habitats. But
in the Semyen there may be as many as 20,000, and
troops of 400 together may be seen. They do not
molest humans and, more surprisingly, the local
people do not molest them. Thus they are very
tame and will allow humans to approach quite
close to the troop before moving nearer to the
cliff edge.
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Text Internet Pictures Sanda Foisoreanu
Sanda Negrutiu Jean
Moldovan Daniel Scradeanu
Alin Samochis
Internet All  copyrights  belong to their
 respective owners Presentation Sanda
Foisoreanu
2014
Sound Yodit Worku and Abebech Derara -
Saw Befiqer Tammo