IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Our troop of Diana monkeys: Kasai, Toby, Akea, Sakari and a brand new baby born in spring 2025, can be discovered in Monkey Heights.
Diana monkeys belong to the Old World monkey family and are found in primary forests in West Africa, from Ivory Coast to Sierra Leone.
They mainly eat leaves, fruits and buds, though sometimes will also consume small insects.
Interesting facts!
- This primate gets its name from the shape of its brow, as it’s said to resemble the crescent on the bow of the Roman goddess Diana!
- Diana monkeys are diurnal animals – this means that they are mainly active during the day.
- Female Diana monkeys have more calls than males, and they produce specific warning calls depending on the predator.
Conservation
Extensive deforestation due to logging and charcoal production continues to threaten the habitat of these monkeys. They are now classed as an Endangered species.
The Diana monkeys at Paignton Zoo are part of the EAZA ex-situ breeding programme (EEP) for the species.