Cotswold wildlife park successfully breeds endangered Madagascan lemur

Greater bamboo lemur births in captivity are extremely rare and park is only UK collection to have bred it this year

Cotswold wildlife park has successfully bred one of Madagascar’s most endangered lemurs.

The as yet unnamed youngster was born to a breeding male, Raphael, and female, Bijou, at the wildlife park.

Births of the greater bamboo lemur in captivity are extremely rare, and the park is the only zoological collection in the UK – and one of two worldwide – to have bred the species this year.

Only 36 greater bamboo lemurs are in captivity globally and they are classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Only seven other zoological collections in the world keep greater bamboo lemurs.

Both parents are part of a European breeding programme and this is the fourth year running that the park has managed to breed these primates.

The new arrival, whose sex is not yet known, can be seen exploring its enclosure inside the lemur exhibit Madagascar.

Jamie Craig, the general manager of Cotswold wildlife park, said: “Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and the rapidly rising human population. It is vital that we raise awareness for this unique group of primates before it is too late.

“At Cotswold wildlife park, we are committed to conserving this species and we fund an extremely important site in Madagascar, as well as participating in several other conservation projects with the Cotswold wildlife park conservation trust.

“We are extremely privileged to keep both of these species at the park: they are extremely rare in captivity and they are fantastic ambassadors for our fundraising efforts.”

Cover photo: By The Guardian