Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Zoo has announced the birth of four red ruffed lemurs that were born Tuesday, May 30.
The male, named Emilio, and three females named Demi, Ally, and Andie are the second group of lemurs to be born at Nashville Zoo since 1996.
This is the second litter for nine year old mom, Lyra. With the addition of the four babies, the zoo is now home to nine red ruffed lemurs. The babies weighed roughly 75 - 90 grams each at birth and approximately 8-10 inches long.
Unlike other primate species, red ruffed lemurs do not carry their young. Instead, they keep their young in a nest nursing and caring for them until they are more independent and mobile. Zoo guests can see their three older siblings and dad, Dino, on exhibit along Bamboo Trail. The four newest additions will remain indoors with mom until they are old enough to venture outside which zookeepers estimate to be in about a month.
Red ruffed lemurs are one of more than 100 species of lemurs on the island of Madagascar and are considered critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and pet trade. Nashville Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for this species to increase the captive population. The zoo also contributes financially to SAVA Conservation which works on saving the lemur species in the wild.
For more information, visit www.lemur.duke.edu/protect/conservation/sava-conservation/.
About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. Celebrating 20 years at Grassmere, the Zoo attracts more than 890,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.
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Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov