Endangered Crowned Lemur Born at Zoo Atlanta

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 21, 2021 1:58 am

A crowned lemur cuddles up to its mother Sava at Zoo Atlanta

Photo Credit: Kathryn Grace

Zoo Atlanta in the United States celebrated the birth of an endangered crowned lemur on April 12th 2021.

Parents Sava and Xonsu both 7 years old are experienced parents. This is the third surviving offspring born to the pair. This breeding followed a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP).

“The birth of every newborn animal at the Zoo is cause for celebration, but the birth of an endangered species is always a new occasion for hope,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation.

“When we look at the status of wildlife and wild habitats around the world, places like Madagascar show us just how delicate the balance of biodiversity is on our planet. Cooperative programs like SSPs are in place to ensure that animal populations outside these imperiled wild environments continue to maintain the health and genetic diversity they will need to exist for future generations.”

— AD —

Visitors to the Living Treehouse at Zoo Atlanta may be able to see the infant clinging to its parents. They live with the infants older brother Chewie. Currently Sava keeps the infant close to her body.

At the Living Treehouse you can also see the ring-tailed and black-and-white-ruffed lemurs which are both endangered species.

The gender of the infant is yet to be determined. It will become clear in coming weeks based on the color of their namesake crown. Females are primarily gray with orange crowns, while males are a darker red-brown in color, with black and orange crowns.

Crowned lemurs are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They live on the northernmost tip of Madagascar. This island is the only home of the world’s 100 lemur species.

Their habitat is being reduced through slash-and-burn agriculture; charcoal production; and mining for gold and sapphires. Another threat is capture for the pet trade.

Learn more about Zoo Atlanta on their website – Zoo Atlanta