Two young ring-tailed lemur females just gave birth to pups within days of each other— doubling the zoo’s ring-tailed lemur population. This was the zoo’s first ring-tailed lemur birth in 30 years.
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On Friday, five-year-old Izze gave birth to a single pup. Then on Monday, three-year-old Willow joined the new mommy club and had twin lemur pups. Zoo officials are thrilled about the new pups and said that both first-time mothers are doing great.
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“The stability of ring-tailed lemur populations in zoos is crucial as wild populations endure dire straits,” said Bob Lessnau, head of Cincinnati Zoo’s animal division, in a news release. “Like most prosimians in Madagascar, ring-tailed lemurs are threatened by habitat destruction and the bush-meat trade.”
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Izze and Willow were sent to the zoo last year on a “breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan,” according to a Cincinnati Zoo press release.
With the birth of the three lemur pups, the plan’s efforts are proving to be successful. The Cincinnati Zoo is one of many North American zoos working hard to preserve the endangered species and promote the need for the conservation of the iconic primate.
The new families are ready to be visited and can be found at Lemur Lookout at Cincinnati Zoo.
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