Buffalo Zoo welcomes black & white ruffed lemur family

The Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of five black and white ruffed lemurs, a significant addition to its conservation efforts.

 

These lemurs, consisting of a father and his four offspring, were transferred from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota, under the Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

 

Visitors can now observe them in the "Vanishing Animals South" exhibit, sharing space with the zoo's radiated tortoises.

 

"Our black and white ruffed lemurs will surely captivate visitors and serve as integral educational ambassadors as we work to protect this critically endangered species," said Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Lisa Smith.

 

"The lemurs are getting very acquainted with their new habitat, and we're thrilled to have them here in Buffalo."

 

The family is led by 20-year-old Huey, born on April 7, 2006.

 

His offspring include 7-year-old twins Connor and Lucas, born on April 4, 2019, and 6-year-olds Mikey and Olivia, born on March 29, 2020.

 

All five were originally born at the Philadelphia Zoo.

 

Keepers have observed that Huey tends to keep to himself, while Olivia, the only female, appears to be the dominant one.

 

Mikey often joins Olivia in her activities, and Connor and Lucas are also playful.

 

Black and white ruffed lemurs are native to Madagascar and are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

 

Over the past three decades, their population has declined by an estimated 80% due to logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, and development.

 

Their large size and diurnal habits make them more vulnerable to illegal hunting.

 

Protecting habitats is crucial for the survival of all lemur species, with approximately 95% of them endangered and a third critically endangered.

 

The Buffalo Zoo is committed to supporting lemur conservation efforts.

 

The new lemur family will serve as ambassadors, educating visitors on the importance of conservation and how they can contribute.

 

The Buffalo Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m.

 

General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online or in person at the front entrance gate.

 

Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third-oldest zoo in the U.S., welcoming nearly 400,000 visitors annually.

 

Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted's Delaware Park, it offers interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year.

 

With a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and over 320 different plant species, visitors are immersed in nature with each visit.

 

For more information, visit the zoo's official website.