NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 6, 2005

Rare Lemurs Born at Zoo

Twin baby lemurs were born Tuesday, September 27 at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.

The babies, which have not yet been named and whose gender is not yet known, are being carefully tended by their mother, Spring. Both babies spend the day clinging to Spring’s belly in the vine-draped lemur exhibit at the zoo. The exhibit is shared with the twins’ father Hera, one-year-old brother, Gizmo, and half brother, Spike.

Ring-tailed lemurs (pronounced LEE-merz) are endangered primates native to the African island of Madagascar. They are named for their black-and-white striped tails, which are often held high above their heads. Ring-tailed lemurs are also known as cat lemurs, because their yellow eyes and mewing calls reminded early explorers of housecats.

Lemurs are one of the world’s most critically endangered primates. In their native home of Madagascar, less than ten percent of the original forest cover still stands, causing many of the island’s unique plants and animals to become threatened with extinction.

“This birth is significant to the future of the species,” says Animal Curator Mark Weldon. The zoo received a recommendation earlier this year from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to breed Spring and Hera because they represent an important bloodline among captive ring-tailed lemurs.

The SSP is a cooperative program among zoos whose goal is to maintain genetic diversity within populations of endangered animals and reduce the possibility of inbreeding, which can lead to genetic disorders.

The lemur family can be seen daily until the zoo closes for the season on Sunday, October 9. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.00 for children age 2-14 and for seniors over age 60. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.

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