Quick answer
Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Mandrill conservation status
Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing mandrills
Habitat loss around Rainforests and gallery forest of central Africa, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Mandrill populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Physical traits and behaviour
Mandrills typically reach about 1 m in length and 35 kg in weight, with top speeds near 40 km/h. The world's most colourful primate. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Mandrills feed on omnivore — fruit, seeds, leaves, insects, and small animals. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As mammals, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Sources
Mandrill FAQs
Are mandrills endangered?
Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the mandrill?
Mandrillus sphinx — used in research and conservation listings for mandrills.
What do mandrills eat?
Mandrills eat fruit, seeds, leaves, insects, and small animals, with seasonal and regional variation in Rainforests and gallery forest of central Africa.
Where do mandrills live?
They are associated with Rainforests and gallery forest of central Africa. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of mandrills?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.