Buffalo Zoo welcomes black & white ruffed lemur family

Buffalo Zoo press release & photo

The Buffalo Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of five black and white ruffed lemurs, all of which come from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota, on a Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The lemurs, which consist of a father and four of his offspring, are now on exhibit regularly in the “Vanishing Animals South” area alongside the Buffalo Zoo’s pair of 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,” Buffalo President and CEO Lisa Smith said. “The lemurs are getting very acquainted with their new habitat, and we’re thrilled to have them here in Buffalo.”

The Buffalo Zoo’s new lemur family is headed by dad Huey, 20, who was born April 7, 2006. He has produced 12 offspring in his life, including the four who will reside alongside him in Buffalo:

•Connor, a 7-year-old male born April 4, 2019

•Lucas, a 7-year-old male born April 4, 2019

•Mikey, a 6-year-old male born March 29, 2020

•Olivia, a 6-year-old female born March 29, 2020

All five lemurs were originally born at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Keepers have noted that Huey tends to keep to himself and spend time away from his children, while lone female Olivia appears to be the dominant one of the bunch. Mikey is often Olivia’s sidekick in her shenanigans, while Connor and Lucas are playful as well.

Black and white ruffed lemurs are considered critically endangered in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and are a prime example of why conservation work is so critical. Native only to Madagascar, their population has reduced by an estimated 80% over the past three decades. Logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and development all have played a role in their decline, and their large size, as well as diurnal activities, make them an easier target for illegal hunting.

Protecting habitats is critical to ensure the survival of not just black and white ruffed lemurs, but all lemurs. It is estimated that 95% of lemur species are endangered, with a third considered critically endangered.

The Buffalo Zoo is proud to support efforts seeking to save lemurs, and the new family will serve as powerful ambassadors for their wild counterparts to educate visitors on the importance of conservation, and what we all can do to help.

The Buffalo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with last admission at 4 p.m. General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.buffalozoo.org, or in-person at the front entrance gate.

More about the Buffalo Zoo: Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the third-oldest zoo in the U.S. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually and is among the largest tourist attractions in Western New York. Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, the site provides interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year. With a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants, visitors are introduced to and engulfed by nature each time they visit. For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org.