Cute alert: Baby mandrill born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Meet Saffron, a pint-sized baby mandrill born on July 24 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Weighing less than three pounds she could almost fit in the palm of your hand.

The baby is currently finding comfort of her mom Hazel and nursing in the treetops of their habitat on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Despite her small size now, mandrills are the largest species of monkeys in the world, capable of growing up to 25 pounds in a few years.

In mandrill social structures, mothers take on most of the parental responsibilities, and Hazel has been sweet and nurturing her baby girl. Just like a human would soothe a baby by rocking it back and forth, Hazel often grooms Saffron to comfort her. The bond between the two is inseparable, and even Saffron’s sister Ivy has yet to hold her, according to Disney.

Mandrills are known for their vibrant colors, such as brilliant shades of blue, red, and pink on their faces, and yellow manes, much like the character Rafiki from “The Lion King,” who was inspired by this species. Each mandrill’s colorations and patterns are unique, and no two strands of hair are the same. As Saffron matures fully in three to four years, she will develop her own unique and bright coloration.

Their colorful appearances are not only limited to their faces; mandrills also boast vibrant patterns on their backside, which helps the horde, or family group, follow each other as they traverse the dense forests of Africa.

The arrival of Saffron is excellent news for this vulnerable species, with only around 4,000 mandrills remaining in the wilds of Africa.