17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Gelada baboon babies playing

On a trek in the Simien Mountain range in Ethiopia to raise funds for a charity, we encountered herds of Gelada "baboons" (also named Bleeding Heart monkey) as they migrated to forage for roots and bulbs - not an easy task in a country plagued by a drought for over 50 years (!). As the herd was moving up the mountain at dusk to seek shelter from predators in cliffside caves, the young were playing under the close supervision of the mothers. These monkeys are expert climbers and are found exclusively in the High Ethiopian Plateau.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2019
Photo Location: Ethiopia
Copyright: © Arie Katz