The Darling Downs Zoo has welcomed four new baby baboons into its family in what is the country’s first successful breeding program for the primate.

The babies, ranging between 11 and 3 weeks old are still clinging tightly to mums.

As handler Phoebe Bridge throws a mix of nuts into the cage, the baboons scramble in to grab some, then back out to the perimeters of the cage.

They never stray far enough that they can’t reach or be reached by their watchful mothers.

“These four beautiful babies are currently enjoying getting up to as much mischief as they possibly can,” Phoebe said.

The babies hold on tight in the dash, only jumping down off mum’s back or belly to grab a nut not too far away.

Phoebe, primate keeper at the Darling Downs Zoo told On Our Selection News this is how they’ll be for at least the next six months.

They’ll then stick close to their families for the first three years of their life.

Phoebe is happy with their progression.

“They are all happy, healthy and we couldn’t be more excited to see each of their individual personalities starting to shine through,” the handler said.

The little baboons can be seen at the Darling Downs Zoo, at 21 Baines Road, just off the Gatton-Clifton Road at Pilton.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 19 March 2026.