NEW BABY FOR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED LEMUR
We are celebrating the birth of one of the most endangered species of lemur in Madagascar. Wild Alaotran Gentle Lemurs (Hapalemur griseus alaotrensis) are only found inhabiting the reed beds around Lake Alaotra in Madagascar.
Marwell is part of the conservation breeding programme and currently has five Alaotran Gentle Lemurs.
John Pullen, curator of mammals, said:
"The park's latest baby is now three weeks old and its mother Lelafo, is beginning to leave the baby instead of carrying it on her back. The youngster seems to be doing very well and Lelafo is a great mum, who is very protective. We are uncertain of its sex at this stage because we keep our distance to make it as natural as possible for them. Once we know the baby's sex the animal keepers will find it a suitable Madagascan name."
Research shows that in the last five years 30 per cent of the wild population of Alaotran Gentle Lemurs has been lost.
NEW BABY FOR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED HORSE FAMILY
Our new born foal Charlotte has joined the family of 13 Przewalski’s horses at the park.
The three-week old youngster has been delighting visitors with her playful antics. The Przewalski horse is the only remaining truly wild horse in the world.
The last confirmed sighting of a Przewalski horse in their native Mongolia was in 1969. However, the species, including a male from Marwell, was recently re-introduced to the wild.
Simon Hawker, one of Marwell’s head keepers said: “Charlotte is a very fit, strong and lively foal with a very attentive mother. As we have a lot of elderly females in the herd,young Charlotte will be a valuable and important addition to our breeding programme.”
The extinction in the wild of the Przewalski’s horse was due primarily to interbreeding with other domesticated horses.
While their greatest threats today include a loss of genetic diversity, their extinction in the wild was also brought on by hunting, loss of habitat, and loss of water sources to domestic animals. Przewalski horses can be found in Aridlands near Café Graze.
More new arrivals in the park
Our baby kangaroos are peeking out of their mum’s pouches - with some being braver and jumping out to enjoy a spot of sunbathing.
There are currently four joeys making an appearance but there could be more on the way.
“Their Dad Ularoo has never had joeys before but he is proving to be very caring and the mums are great too”, said Assistant section manager Anna Bacon.
She added: “It’s really exciting to see our new arrivals poking their heads out and beginning to explore.”
As well as our joeys, this month the park has seen the arrival of an Arabian oryx and visitors to the park can also see our young cotton-top tamarins and baby ring-tailed coatis which are proving to be lively characters!
