ANTIPREDATOR BEHAVIOR OF GELADA BABOONS

The anti-predator behavior of gelada baboons has been observed to cons ist of simple flight (i.e. they flee to cliffs after becoming alarmed by potential predators). However, active antipredator behavior was obs erved in a recently found gelada population in Arsi, Ethiopia. This po pulation showed frequent active counter-attacks and severe mobbing at predators. Males fought domestic dogs on the plain and exhibited a sys tematic mobbing behavior towards a leopard on the cliff face to chase it off. These active anti-predator behaviors are the first confirmed r eports on gelada baboons and may provide a useful insight for the unde rstanding of the process of evolutionary adaptation to highland habita ts by gelada baboons, as well as for the origin of this small southern population.