Wait tail I tell you!
Fota just got a little cheekier with the arrival of the first two baby ring-tailed lemurs born at the park in 12 years, and the public gets to name them!
The first of the babies, a male, was born on 12 March to seven-year-old mum Quincy who came to Fota from a zoo in the Netherlands in 2019 as part of a group of four ring-tailed lemurs.
Another female from the same group, Aqua, gave birth to the second baby on 10 April, this time a female.
Sadly, the father of both babies, whose name was Collins, passed away of natural causes the day before the first baby was born. Collins, like his new-born infants, was also born in Fota.
Speaking after the births, Lead Ranger Teresa Power said everyone at the park is absolutely delighted with the births of the little ring-tailed lemurs, whose species, she stressed, is currently endangered.
“Even though she is smaller and younger than the male, the little female is very feisty and bossy towards her bigger brother” she said.
Visitors to the park can now see the four and five month olds clinging to their Mum’s back out on their island habitat or else scampering across the purpose-built mesh tunnel from their house.
The two mothers and babies are currently living together with access to one of the wildflower islands on the lake.
When they are ready, they will be mixed with the rest of the ring0tailed lemur group who enjoy free roam of in the Palm Walk area.
The last ring-tailed lemur to be born at the park 12 years ago is Katie, who is still there with mum Joplin and is excited to meet the new babies.
Now, with the little ones now out and about, Fota is calling on the public to help name the brother and sister via an online survey at fotawildlife.ie/news.
Anyone taking part will be in with a chance to win one of two year-long conversation annual passes to the Park.
“The ring-tailed lemur species, made so popular by the movie Madagascar, has become associated with Fota Wildlife Park over the years, due in great part to our free-ranging group who have captivated and thrilled the visitors here for many years,” said Teresa.
Lemurs hail solely from the island of Madagascar. The ring-tailed Lemur is easily recognisable by its black and white-ringed tail.
About a metre in length if the tail is included, the animal’s fur is grey or rosy-brown and white with black markings around its eyes.
It is estimated that there may only be 3,000-3,200 individuals remaining on their native Island of Madagascar.
The species is now threatened with extinction mostly due to habitat destruction in Madagascar, and from the illegal pet and bushmeat hunting.