The pair came to Prague Zoo from the Pilsen Zoo, but the female was originally bred in Prague. When they fully got used to the quarters, the keepers gradually allowed them to enter the tunnel, from where they could observe the outdoor enclosure. These days, they are already making their first timid expeditions to it. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
A shaggy appearance, unmistakable sexual dimorphism, or female dominance. Prague Zoo is breeding dark lemurs again after a ten-year hiatus. The contrastingly colored pair is currently curiously exploring the island opposite the large turtles at the lower cable car station. The same place was originally inhabited by white-banded ring-tailed lemurs, which were recently reunited with ring-tailed lemurs.
“There are never enough lemurs, so our efforts have recently been directed at freeing up the island enclosure at the lower cable car station,” says Jan Mengr, curator of primates at Prague Zoo. The plan called for moving the white-banded ring-tailed lemurs to the ring-tailed lemur island. The union was successful. “Thanks to the union of the ring-tailed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs, we were able to offer the empty space to another endangered endemic of the island of Madagascar, the dark lemurs, and thus diversify the species composition of Prague Zoo.”
The newly arrived individuals of the old-new species first got used to the indoor exhibit. “They immediately started exploring all the nooks and crannies. Without any fear of the unknown, they even climbed into the hut. They also paid attention to the bamboo and dry grass. It is not unusual for animals to choose a place where they feel safest in the first few days and just observe their surroundings,” describes Prague Zoo primate keeper Nikola Kučerová.
