Two ring-tailed lemurs have been born at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo, boosting the breeding program.
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A male baby was born September 1 to mother Rakitra, followed eight weeks later on October 28 by a female, born to Cleopatra.
Cleopatra and Rakitra came to Dubbo from Italy in 2012 as part of the breeding program.
Keeper Sasha Brook said it was very exciting to welcome two healthy ring-tailed lemur babies, especially one of each sex.
“Both babies are being well cared for by their experienced mothers and can be spotted riding on their mothers’ backs at the ring-tailed lemur breeding facility,” she said.
In 2016 the zoo welcomed two sets of male ring-tailed lemur twins. The arrival of a female this year will provide diversification in the breeding group.
“At three months of age, Rakitra’s male baby is already spending more time away from his mother and interacting with the two sets of twins last year. He spends a lot of time wrestling with them and it’s great to see the twins playing gently with the baby,” Ms Brook said.
“At nearly five weeks of age, Cleopatra’s female baby is still developing her coordination skills, but we have noticed her also start to bounce away from her mother for short periods of time.”
Dia is the father of both babies. He occasionally grooms Rakitra and Cleopatra, and at the same times grooms the babies.
