Human Interest
Twins for Rarest Lemur Species!
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Grey, a mated pair of Alaotran Gentle Lemur who welcomed twins this August at Bristol Zoo! The newborns not only are adorable but vital to their species survival.
(Family portrait, though one of the twins seems camera-shy! Image Credit: Bob Pitchford)
The Alaotran Gentle Lemur is the rarest species of the lemur clade. The well-known home of all lemurs is the island Madagascar. However, the Alaotran Gentle Lemur’s habitat is limited to reedy regions surrounding the largest lake on the island – Lake Alaotran, as it were – and have been found no where else in the wild. Such a limited range makes them more vulnerable to habitat loss and human development. Fortunately the Grey family, including the wee ones, are part of Bristol’s conservation and breeding program for the lemur species and which has been active since 1990.
