Rare birth of endangered lemur at Cotswold Wildlife Park

The greater bamboo lemur is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, with only 36 in captivity across the globe.

This is an extremely rare birth, with the park near Swindon being the only zoological collection in the UK and one of only two worldwide to have bred the species this year.

The new arrival, yet to be named or sexed, was born to breeding male Raphael and female Bijou.

The baby greater bamboo lemur born at Cotswold Wildlife Park (Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park)

This is the fourth year running the park has managed to breed these primates, after they were first bred at the park in 2020.

Section head of primates, small mammals and birds, Natalie Horner, said: "Since then, our male Raphael and females Bijou and Veloma have produced seven youngsters taking our total to 10.

"Bijou and Veloma are wonderful mothers and Raphael is such a playful dad."

The baby lemur can now be seen exploring its enclosure in the lemur exhibit Madagascar.

The greater bamboo lemur is one of the most critically endangered lemur species in Madagascar, along with Alaotran bamboo lemurs and crowned sifaka.

Jamie Craig, general manager of Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: "Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and the rapidly rising human population.

Jamie Craig on a research trip in Madagascar (Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park)

"It is vital that we raise awareness for this unique group of primates before it is too late.

"At Cotswold Wildlife Park, we are committed to conserving this species and we fund an extremely important site in Madagascar, as well as participating in several other conservation projects with the Cotswold Wildlife Park Conservation Trust - most notable for the crowned sifaka and greater bamboo lemur.

"We are extremely privileged to keep both of these species at the park - they are extremely rare in captivity and they are fantastic ambassadors for our fundraising efforts."

The park funds two major lemur conservation projects in Madagascar - Helpsimus and Impact Madagascar.

A greater bamboo lemur in the wild (Image: Helpsimus)

Helpsimus has reported the population of greater bamboo lemurs protected by the project has almost tripled in 10 years.

Founder and president of Helpsimus, Delphine Roullet, said: "The Bamboo Lemur programme site is now home to the largest wild population of greater bamboo lemurs.

"This success is attributable to our holistic approach to conservation, which aims to fight poverty among local populations, enabling them to protect their biodiversity in a sustainable way."