![]() We hope this will inspire action,” Ettling said. “We help our guests understand the threats these animals face and the role and potential benefits the species provide to the ecosystems they inhabit. “We’re fortunate to work in an environment that places great emphasis on education and conservation of wildlife and their habitats,” said Jeff Ettling, zoo president and CEO.Īnd public awareness and education are key to the species' survival. That means every blue-eyed black lemur birth is significant. Jacksonville Zoo officials say that scientists estimate that the species population will plunge about 88 percent by 2080 due to climate change alone. The wild population continues to dwindle due to multiple factors such as habitat loss, hunting and trapping, the Duke Lemur Center website shows. Madagascar is the only place blue-eyed lemurs are found. Researchers think that there might be fewer than 1,000 individuals of the species left in the wild, according to the Duke Lemur Center at Duke University in Durham, N.C. As they get older, the color will darken and if it's a male, turn black.Įvery birth of blue-eyed black lemurs is considered critical to their long-term sustainability, zoo officials said. As infants, the lemurs have brown fur that "blends in with their mother. Typically, males are black while females are a rusty brown color. They are the only primates with blue eyes, according to wildlife conservation scientists. "He or she will further enrich the social environment and experience of the zoo’s amazing mixed-species lemur group and strengthen the sustainability of the blue-eyed black lemur population."Īs their name implies, blue-eyed black lemurs are among the few species of primates that have blue eyes. “We have many reasons to celebrate this new infant," Fenn said. The infant "will remain behind the scenes in a quiet area with its parents until it is old enough to safely join the rest of the group." Zookeepers are giving them space to relax and bond during this early development stage. Their firstborn left the zoo in July 2021 and is thriving at the San Diego Zoo, where reports say her best friend is a ring-tailed lemur, zoo officials said.įenn said the new lemur baby and its parents aren't on exhibit yet at the Jacksonville Zoo. Parents Hendricks and Hemsworth arrived at the Jacksonville zoo in 2017. That is expected once they know if it is a male or female. Zoo staff have not decided on a name for the baby. "The Madagascar team is hoping to know the gender of the infant in the next few weeks and are giving the mother and infant space during this critical time of development." No name yet for the baby "The infant is doing well and is still dependent on its mother," Fenn said. Zoo welcomes new leader: Snakes alive! Herpetologist takes over as new president of Jacksonville ZooĬhanges coming to zoo: Jacksonville Zoo looks to add new manatee, lion exhibits in $50 million zoo redesignīehind the scenes: Jacksonville Zoo team caters to big appetites, picky eaters and discerning diners with claws It also is the second baby from parents Hendricks and Hemsworth, a pair of blue-eyed black lemurs that have been at the zoo since 2017, said Tracy Fenn, zoo assistant curator of mammals. The little one is the second successful birth of a blue-eyed black lemur - one of the world's most endangered primates - at the zoo. Still dependent on its mother, the baby is doing well, zoo officials announced Tuesday. ![]() But one thing is crystal clear: the baby is extremely cute, a tad shy and crucial to its species.Ī critically endangered blue-eyed black lemur was born on March 10 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |