As an Old-World monkey, the grey-cheeked mangabey is native to the rainforests of central Africa, primarily found in regions stretching from Cameroon to Gabon. These monkeys are arboreal, spending most of their time high in the forest canopy.

Mangabeys live in social groups, called troops, that typically consist of 10 to 40 individuals, often led by one or more dominant males. When younger males mature, they leave their natal group and join other troops, while females usually remain in the same troop throughout their lives.
These monkeys are skilled jumpers, and the grey-cheeked mangabey's tail is particularly strong, enabling it to hook onto branches while leaping between trees.
Their diet consists of fruits, seeds, nuts, buds, shoots, leaves, and flowers. They also consume invertebrates like ants, ant larvae, and caterpillars, and adult males have been observed occasionally hunting smaller mammals. The mangabey's large incisors help it break open hard nuts, and its cheek pouches allow it to store food for later consumption.

The grey-cheeked mangabey is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, as it remains widespread across its range. However, habitat destruction and hunting for bushmeat remain significant threats to its population.

Adult male grey-cheeked mangabeys are known for their distinctive "Whoop-Gobble" call, which can be heard up to 1 km away. This vocalisation is used to announce their presence. Mangabeys live in separate home ranges to avoid conflicts between troops, and there are nine different species of mangabey.

The grey-cheeked mangabeys at Fota Wildlife Park arrived in 2010 from France. Known for being more aggressive than some other primate species, they are highly active throughout the day and are a favourite among visitors.
As a form of environmental enrichment, we provide our mangabeys with ice blocks, and visitors to the park will often spot them spending time foraging for fruit and vegetables as the blocks melt.