Zoo celebrates birth of rare lemur

The birth of an endangered ring-tailed lemur is being celebrated by "thrilled" zoo staff.

Seven-week-old Warbie was photographed for the first time on Bristol Zoo's dedicated lemur island with mother Roxy and three other adults.

Ring-tails are considered a vulnerable species because there could be as few as 10,000 of them left in their native Madagascar.

Keepers say the cheeky primate is happiest when climbing the trees, riding piggyback on one of the grown-ups, or just sleeping in the sun.

Mel Gage, assistant curator of mammals, said: "We are thrilled with our latest arrival. Ring-tailed lemurs are among our most popular animals and are also classified as 'vulnerable', so their births are important.

"The four adult ring-tailed lemurs are keeping a close eye on the youngster, but she is getting more adventurous and can already be seen monkeying around in the bushes and trees on lemur island.

"Our visitors also love them as they look very cute, but can also be very mischievous and therefore highly entertaining to observe."

Ring-tailed lemurs are native only to the tropical dry and scrub forests of Southern Madagascar. With a population of between 10,000 and 100,000 left on the island, they are considered a vulnerable species.

The forest in which they live is being destroyed by slash and burn agriculture, charcoal production and mining for gemstones and minerals.

Ring tailed lemurs are distinguished by their wide-round eyes and white and black, long banded tails. They eat fruit, leaves, flowers and nectar, are excellent climbers and can live to around 20 years in captivity.