First critically endangered lemur born in Calgary
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has welcomed a new baby animal to its exhibits, one that illustrates a triumph for global wildlife conservation.
On April 7, a four-year-old black-and-white ruffed lemur named Eny gave birth to a pup.
The baby, whose father is eight-year-old Menabe, is now a month old and officials say the unnamed baby is "bright-eyed, active and is moving around more each day."
The birth is great news for the species because the vast majority of lemurs (98 per cent) are endangered with 30 per cent "facing the threat of imminent extinction."
"The successful birth of this newest addition is especially exciting and important for Eny and Menabe’s species," said Dr. Typhenn Brichieri-Colombi, conservation research and strategy advisor at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, in a statement.
"With black-and-white ruffed lemurs being critically endangered in the wild, this pup already plays an important role in the survival and well-being of its species."
Zoo officials say Eny and Menabe were paired through a species survival plan, a strategy that maximizes genetic diversity to both manage demographic distribution and support long-term sustainability.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is involved with protecting three lemur species, all of which originate from the island of Madagascar. It's believed there are fewer than 10,000 left in their native range on the island.
Eny, Menabe and their pup are not currently on display as they are bonding. In the coming days, members of the zoo's animal care, health and welfare team will "take their cues from the family" and determine an appropriate date for them to be ready for public viewing.
The outdoor Land of Lemurs walkthrough is set to reopen to the public on May 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
The RCMP is alleging Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada engaged in clandestine activities linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions.
'A threat to all of us': Eby addresses RCMP allegations Indian officials linked to Canadian homicides, extortion
B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.
Ontario police say 'escalating incidents' between high schools connected to deadly crash
'Escalating incidents' between two Hamilton high schools are believed to be connected to a car crash last week that left a 15-year-old boy dead, police say.
'We apologize to anyone we've offended': Bath and Body Works pulls candles over backlash
A major American retailer has stopped selling its new winter-themed candle over backlash from shoppers who said its design resembled Ku Klux Klan hoods.
Scientists claim to solve centuries-old mystery of Christopher Columbus' origins
The 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus was a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, Spanish scientists said on Saturday, after using DNA analysis to tackle a centuries-old mystery.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
Airbnb guests east of Toronto steal quarter of a million dollars worth of jewelry: police
Four guests at an Airbnb east of Toronto made off with a quarter of million dollars worth of jewelry following their stay, police say.
Pledges to cover fertility treatment as elections play out across Canada
As provincial elections play out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick this month, there are pledges to provide more fertility treatment coverage.
Mass shootings share 'sketchy stories,' B.C. Conservative candidate claims in resurfaced social post
Embattled B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman is under fire once again, this time for past Facebook comments casting doubt on the official accounts of mass shooting events in Canada and the U.S.