Meet new arrivals Loky and Andry! These white-belted ruffed lemurs are some of the world’s rarest primates… pic.twitter.com/3GoO9R1ZeC
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) July 13, 2017
The playful pair, named Andry and Loky, joined us after they were carefully matched up by conservationists.The lemurs, which can only be found on the island of Madagascar, are one of the world’s rarest primates and their numbers have seen a sharp decline in recent years.Habitat destruction in the form of agriculture, logging, mining and hunting pressures have seen the population of lemurs fall by more than 80% in the last 21 years.As a result, the lemurs are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species.
Dr Nick Davis, Assistant Curator of Mammals and primatology expert at the zoo, said:
Andry and Loky have settled in really well with their playful neighbours, a group of ring-tailed lemurs. They both have bold personalities and are getting along famously; they can often be seen leaping through trees and vocalising to one another.These stunning animals have undergone a sharp decline in the wild, with their numbers hitting rock bottom. We’ve taken the decision to play a vital role in ensuring their continued survival, in case the worst should happen – extinction in the wild.All is not lost though, we have been working with project partners Madagasikara Voakajy in Madagascar, helping to engage with local communities, persuading them that the forests and the animals that live there are worth protecting. It’s certainly a long process, but looking ahead, it will shape the future of the island for generations.
Madagascar is an island of great diversity – from rich, lush rainforest to the dry, arid forest and coastal beaches. The African nation is home to a more diverse range of animal species than any other island on Earth. Conservationists at the zoo are working to protect the forests which are home to thousands of unique species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, other than on the island.
In a bid to enthral visitors with the wonders of the island, we’ve also opened the UK’s first Madagascan themed play zone for families. Visitors of all ages can jump, crawl and climb through the incredible habitats of the world’s most diverse island.
The huge new area, named PLAY!, incorporates grassed areas, forests, a dry river bed and a beach to reflect the various landscapes across the huge African nation – which is home to a more diverse range of animal species than any other island on Earth and a hotspot for our expert conservationists.
White-belted ruffed lemur facts
- Scientific name: Varecia variegata ssp. Subcincta
- Madagascar is the only place in the world the primates can be found living in the wild
- White-belted ruffed lemurs are threatened by habitat loss through logging, unsustainable agriculture, mining on the island of Madagascar
- The species is classed as critically endangered – meaning they face a very high risk of extinction in the wild
- There has been an 80% reduction in their numbers in the last 21 years.