A critically endangered lemur has been bred at the Curraghs Wildlife Park for the first time.
The birth of the Alaotran gentle lemur has provided a huge boost to the park’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The primate, from Madagascar, is on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) critically endangered list and is threatened with extinction in the wild.
The park’s newest arrival was born to Geoff and Amondi several weeks ago but has been kept under wraps by the park until now as the first few weeks are critical to survival.
Geoff is a long-time park resident and Amondi, his second female partner, arrived from Chessington Zoo three years ago.
Kathleen Graham, General Manager of the park in Ballaugh, said:
‘It's the first gentle lemur to be born at the park and our contribution to the conservation of this critically endangered species has really added to the celebratory feeling of the 50th anniversary.’
Kathleen said the lemurs’ keeper, Sarah Teare-Kermeen, sought advice from an expert at Durrell Wildlife Park in Jersey.
Gale Glendewar is the studbook keeper for Alaotran gentle lemurs and was able to advise Sarah on breeding the species.
‘It’s a great achievement for the park and for Sarah’s efforts,’ said Kathleen. ‘I joked with her that perhaps her hormones had rubbed off, as Sarah is also to be a first-time mum in August.’
Sarah said:
‘Gale gave me advice on the lemurs’ diet and the design of their enclosure and I implemented changes that I'm almost certain have helped them breed.’
Sarah said:
‘Mum is really looking after her youngster. She carries the baby on her back. I have seen dad carrying the youngster as well. We give them regular feeds and extra bamboo and the baby is growing well. We will wait until the youngster is a good age and weaned before we work out its sex. Mum is protective and it is important to give them space at this stage.’
She added:
‘I’m over the moon that the lemurs have bred and glad they've had their offspring before I go off on maternity leave.’
Alaotran gentle lemurs, the only primates that live exclusively in a wetland, have been in decline since dams were built in their native region in the 1950s. They occupy only a small area of Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean. It’s for this reason the IUCN lists them as critically endangered. The animals are also hunted due to marsh burning and face extinction in the wild. Latest estimates say the wild population is just 2,500.
Of 18 animals taken into European zoos and wildlife parks between 1984 and 1997 to start the endangered breeding program, only two males remain, with the rest of the population captive-bred.
There are currently 96 Alaotran gentle lemurs in 24 institutions in the European studbook and 11 births were recorded during 2014.
The Curraghs Wildlife Park is open daily throughout the summer from 10am to 6pm.
Admission costs £9 for an adult, £6 for a child aged three to 15 and £2.20 for a child aged two, with younger children admitted free. Family tickets, 14-day tickets and a range of memberships are available. Visit www.curraghswildlifepark.im/ to book.
