Drill  (Mandrillus leucophaeus)

The mature rainforest in this equatorial region of Africa has been destroyed at an alarming rate, causing many species to become endangered. The drill is under additional pressure from hunting as the sweet 'bushmeat' of this species is an important income for many people in the region (6). Large groups of noisy drills, either on the ground or within range amongst the trees, make an easy target for hunters and cleared forests are ever more accessible (6).

In 1995, the drill was identified as an important priority for conservation due to its taxonomic uniqueness; it has only one close relative (6). It is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), thus prohibiting international trade (3). In the wild, only a single population is known to occur within a protected area, the Korup Reserve in Cameroon (7). Fauna and Flora International (FFI) are involved in the Drill Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, Nigeria, which aims to rehabilitate young orphaned drills, and to raise awareness of the plight of this species in the local area (7). In addition, there are over 40 drills in captivity around the world, some of which have been successfully bred (7). This may provide a last redoubt against the extinction of this magnificent species.