The Lincoln Park Zoo has another new resident. A crowned lemur was born over the weekend on Sunday, April 17 at the Helen Brach Primate House, the zoo revealed on Tuesday.
Because the infant's mother, Tucker, has been keeping it so close, the new lemur's sex hasn't yet been determined. “The infant is holding tight to mother and regularly nursing which is exactly what we’d hope to see,” said Maureen Leahy, the zoo's primate curator, in a press release.
The baby joins sisters Sava and Volana, who are 2 years old and 1 year old respectively, as well as its father Sokkwi (pronounced so-kwee).
The family is much larger, though. Tucker and Sokkwi have given birth to seven offspring in total. The two lemurs were recommended as a pair by the Crowned Lemur Species Survival Plan to help bring the species out of its endangered status. Its natural habitat is a small area in northern Madagascar which has fallen victim to forest loss due to slashing and burning, mining, charcoal production and other harmful destruction caused by humans.
All lemur primate species are only found on the island of Madagascar. Up to 90 percent of lemurs could become extinct in 20-25 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, so this new birth is particularly good news.
See the crowned lemur family on exhibit from 9am-5pm daily at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission is always free.
Look at that little fuzz ball
Photograph: Chris Bijalba/Lincoln Park Zoo
Photograph: Chris Bijalba/Lincoln Park Zoo
Photograph: Chris Bijalba/Lincoln Park Zoo