Bachelor blessing primate (6)

I believe the answer is:

baboon

'primate' is the definition.
(baboon is a kind of primate)

'bachelor blessing' is the wordplay.
'bachelor' becomes 'BA' (abbreviation for Bachelor of Arts degree).
'blessing' becomes 'boon' (synonyms).
'ba'+'boon'='BABOON'

(Other definitions for baboon that I've seen before include "Large long-nosed Arabian or African monkey" , "Large long-nosed African or Asian monkey" , "Ground-living primate" , "Stupid person" , "Type of large monkey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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