San Diego Zoo Welcomes Birth of Endangered Ring-tailed Lemur
The San Diego Zoo recently welcomed the birth of a ring-tailed lemur infant at the Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks Madagascar Forest habitat. The female infant was born May 22 to first-time lemur mother, Rindra. Wildlife care specialists report the infant is doing very well, nursing properly and gaining weight.
“We are all so excited and honored to have this little lemur in our care,” said Yeleny Smith, wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo. “She is very inquisitive and developing quickly. And as a first-time lemur mother, Rindra, is doing an excellent job caring for her infant—being very attentive, grooming her and nursing her well.” This birth allows San Diego Zoo wildlife care specialists and researchers to continue to learn about this endangered lemur species.
The little lemur, yet to be named, may be seen clinging to her mother’s back as the mother moves about the lemur habitat, frequently nursing the infant and then taking time to relax in the sun. The rest of the ring-tailed lemur troop have been very welcoming of the new addition, often helping with grooming the infant, an instinctive social behavior that helps strengthen the social bonds within the troop. Over the next few months, the infant will begin spending more time on her own and will return to her mother to nurse or sleep, until she is weaned around 5 to 6 months of age.
There are more than 100species of lemurs—all native to the island of Madagascar, and all considered threatened or endangered. The ring-tailed lemur is among the most populous and easily recognized, with its big eyes, woolly fur and long black-and-white ringed tail. Ring-tailed lemurs are mostly active during the day. Unlike other lemurs, they spend more time on the ground than in trees. Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, primarily due to habitat destruction, hunting and illegal wildlife trade.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.
Zoo guests help with this important conservation work each time they visit the San Diego Zoo, purchase an item or share what they know about wildlife and conservation, allowing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to take a step toward its mission of saving wildlife and plants worldwide, and creating a world where all life thrives.
The ring-tailed lemur infant and troop may be seen in their habitat at Africa Rocks. Now through Sept. 5, Nighttime Zoo offers guests the chance to explore the Zoo at night and see an array of wildlife from a different perspective, enjoy live entertainment, discover special culinary treats and more. For more information on Nighttime Zoo and how you can be an ally for wildlife, visit sandiegozoo.org.
Category: Animals, Donations, Local News, Nonprofit
