Conservacionistas no Chester Zoo estão comemorando o nascimento de um raro lêmur de barriga vermelha-o primeiro do gênero a ter nascido no zoológico. O primata era tão pequeno e escondido no pêlo espesso da mãe que só agora está começando a se tornar mais visível. Estima -se que pesasse apenas 70 gramas no nascimento - em torno do mesmo peso que uma banana.
The fluffy youngster, whose sex is currently unknown, arrived to parents Aina (4) and Frej (8) following a 127-day pregnancy.
The new baby was born around six weeks ago but keepers say the precious primate was so small and hidden in among mum’s thick fur that only now is it starting to become more visible. It was estimated to weigh just 70 grams at birth – around the same weight as a banana.
O nascimento é um impulso importante para o programa de criação europeu para as espécies com o lêmur de barriga vermelha listada como vulnerável à extinção em seu madagascar nativo-o único lugar onde os lêmuos são encontrados em uma quantidade selvagem. 100 espécies diferentes de lêmur. Nascer no Zoológico de Chester. O bebê é sempre visto agarrando -se firmemente a ela, que é exatamente o que queremos ver, e esse adorável lemur parece incrivelmente contente escondido entre os pêlos quentes da mãe. ”
Experts say destruction of their forest homes, caused by people for agriculture and timber, as well as hunting for their meat has resulted in huge declines for all of the island’s 100 different species of lemur.
Claire Parry, Assistant Team Manager of Primates at Chester Zoo, said:
“The birth of any lemur is real cause for celebration as these primates are vulnerable to extinction in the wild and every new arrival is a vital addition to the endangered species breeding programme. This one, however, is extra special as it’s also the first baby red-bellied lemur ever to be born at Chester Zoo.
“Aina is a first-time mum who’s really taking motherhood in her stride – she’s very confident with her new addition. The baby is always seen clinging on tightly to her, which is exactly what we want to see, and this lovely little lemur looks incredibly content hidden in among mum’s warm fur.”
Mike Jordan, diretor de animais e plantas do zoológico, adicionado: || 302
“With lemurs considered as being the most endangered group of mammals in the world by the IUCN, every birth is significant. Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar where they are severely under threat with over 94% of all lemur populations at risk of disappearing forever. Sadly, we know that many larger lemur species have already become extinct.
“We need to ensure the species that do now remain on this diverse island are safe and protected. That’s why our conservationists have been engaged in protecting habitats and the unique species they are home to in Madagascar for over 10 years now. In 2015, the Malagasy government established The Mangabe New Protected Area, co-managed by our field partner Madagasikara Voakajy and the communities that live in Mangabe itself, providing a safe haven for nine species of lemur, as well as lots of other threatened species. We are fully involved in efforts to prevent their extinction.”
Red-bellied lemur facts
- The new red-bellied lemur baby at Chester Zoo was born on 31 March
- Mum Aina is four years old. Dad Frej is eight.
- Red-bellied lemurs are a sexually dimorphic species, which means males and females have differences in their appearance. Males have a red-brown fur colouring with white tear-drop shapes around their eyes, while females have red-brown fur with white fur on their underbellies, neck and chin, and little or no white around their eyes
- Os bebês nascem da mesma cor que suas mães para que possam camuflar contra seus pêlo. Os homens jovens mantêm essa coloração até atingirem a maturidade sexual por volta dos dois anos de idade
- Os lêmures são muito incomuns no mundo dos mamíferos, pois compartilham uma característica com apenas um punhado de outras espécies, domínio feminino. Os lêmures de barriga vermelha são uma das poucas espécies de Lemurs, formam um emparelhamento monogâmico e vivem em uma pequena tropa familiar de mãe, pai e primavera.
