The island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is a unique ecosystem. Separated from the mainland of Africa millions of years ago, its wildlife developed in isolation and lemurs and the predatory fossa are found nowhere else in the world.
Our lemurs live in what used to be the kitchen garden of Marwell Hall.Its ancient flint walls shelter the animals and provide them with a unique setting. A path winds past their indoor and outdoor enclosures which have floor to ceiling windows so that you can see the animals at close quarters in any weather.
Lemurs are inquisitive, intelligent and sociable by nature. They are also arboreal meaning they like to seek heights where they feel safe and can look out for danger. The lemurs’ enclosure offers a variety of structures for them to climb, exercise and look around and the same structures are also used by our keepers to hide food and hang enrichment devices.
Both the Red ruffed and black and white lemurs are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN red list, with habitat loss, hunting and the pet trade as their primary threats.
See if you can spot our fossa close by, who loves to eat lemurs in the wild.
