Drill

Found only in dense, primary forests in West and Central Africa, including Cross River State, Nigeria, Southwestern Cameroon, and on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Their entire range is less than 40,000 km2, equivalent to half the size of the island of Ireland.

Most of the troop’s day is likely spent travelling in search of food and they are known to have very large, seasonal home ranges. Their food of choice is mainly fruit but during the dry season or when fruit is scarce, they will feed off young leaves and other plant material. They will also forage for seeds, insects, and other invertebrates in the detritus on the forest floor. They have pouches in their cheeks which can hold as much food as their stomach!

Drills are among Africa’s most endangered mammals-it is believed that there may be as few as 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Major threats include deforestation and the ever-expanding unsustainable trade in bush meat. Often, hunters will use dogs to drive large troops of drills into trees, where they are easily ambushed.

They live in troops comprising of multiple females and one or more males, sometimes totalling 20 or more animals. There is one dominant male per troop. Drills communicate through scent marks, vocalizations, and body language. They walk on the flat of their hands and feet unlike the great apes and even though they can climb, they are mainly found on the forest floor.

Despite an ever-declining population in the wild, very few captive Drill populations are held in zoos. Fota Wildlife Park is the only Irish zoological facility to house this endangered species. In 2019, the park welcomed a male (Julian) and female (Buddy) on loan from Stuttgart Zoo, Germany. Shortly afterwards, they were joined by three additional females on loan from Bristol Zoo. They have a large purpose-built house and have outdoor access to one of the largest Islands in the wildlife park which offers this critically endangered species a varied and stimulating habitat.