Two Ring-tailed Lemurs Born at the Toledo Zoo
Toledo, OH – Two ring-tailed lemurs have been born at the Toledo Zoo.
The mothers are 6-year-old twin sisters, Fresca and Fanta. Fresca’s baby was born on March 20, Fanta’s on March 27; the babies’ genders are not yet known. All appear to be doing well.
The father, 4-year-old Oliver, is currently on exhibit with the family group. This group includes Fanta, Fresca, their new babies and their three offspring from last year (one from Fanta and twins from Fresca).
Starting Saturday, March 30, visitors can see the lemurs at the Primate Forest’s indoor viewing, pending the animals’ continued good health.
Ring-tailed lemurs are members of the primate family, related to monkeys and apes. About the size of large domestic cats, they have piercing stares and distinctive ringed tails. These social, intelligent animals like to sunbathe and huddle together in “lemur balls” to stay warm or maintain social bonds. They are also agile athletes and spend their time on the ground or in trees, easily moving from one to the other.
The Zoo’s ring-tailed lemurs are charismatic animals that inspire people to care about wildlife. They are also important ambassadors for their wild counterparts in Madagascar, where lemurs are in danger of extinction because of habitat loss, poaching and hunting.
The Toledo Zoo participates in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) for ring-tailed lemurs, and this was an SSP-recommended breeding. SSPs are collaborative programs, developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), to manage animal populations in zoo environments in order to maintain healthy, self-sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable.
The Toledo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (starting May 4, weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The Zoo is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. For more information, please visit toledozoo.org or call 419.385.4040. Lucas County residents are admitted free of charge each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. Valid ID showing proof of residency is required.
Press Release Contact Name: Andi Norman
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419.385.5721 ext. 2098
Organization Name: Toledo Zoo
Organization Address: Toledo, OH