Twin ring-tailed lemurs born at Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo has welcomed a set of ring-tailed lemur twins – the first of the species to be born at the facility since 2002.

The six-week-old twins were born on 20 August to mother Rachel and father Bruce, and are currently becoming confident enough to venture away from their mother for short periods.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said that lemurs normally have one or two babies so twins are not rare, however it has been about eight years since Hamilton Zoo last witnessed the successful birth of any ring-tailed lemurs at its facility.

“It’s always exciting to welcome newborn additions to the Hamilton Zoo family, so two babies means this milestone is extra special.”

Mr Standley said revelations that protection of forests and native fauna in Madagascar has deteriorated over recent years makes the success of captive breeding populations such as Hamilton Zoo’s ring-tailed lemur colony all the more important.

“These populations are an insurance against extinction of the species so this birth is of great benefit to the Australasian Species Management Programme. Not only will the twins go on to contribute to the management programme in the future but this birth helps to secure the genetic contribution of Bruce, an aging male ring-tailed lemur who transferred to Hamilton from Perth Zoo a couple of years ago.”

The twins, whose genders are still to be determined and are yet to be named, are currently on display along with the rest of Hamilton Zoo’s ring-tailed lemur colony – with the school holidays being the perfect time to check out the new arrivals.