Lemurs arrive at the Alligator Farm

By Eliza Jordan | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photos and Video by Phillip C. Sunkel IV

A diverse new family of Red-ruffed lemurs have been welcomed into the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park as of Monday morning.

The lemurs are part of the Species Survival Plan created by the Association for Zoos and Aquariums to preserve flagship species. Because the Red-ruffed lemurs are endangered, they are considered a flagship species. In this case, the lemurs bring awareness to their original home, the North-eastern section of Madagascar.

“I’ve been working since April 2009 to get them here,” said Gen Anderson, Bird and Mammal Curator at The Alligator Farm. “I was on a mission to get them here ever since our spider monkey passed away last May.”

Anderson located a lemur family of four – Levi, Eli, Junior and Morticia – who lived at the Jackson Zoo in Mississippi before they moved into their cozy new home. The 2-year-old lemurs are incredibly energetic, and the children that participated in the sneak-peak were already picking their favorites.

“I like Levi because he is in love with the camera,” said 9-year-old, Mackenzie Platt. “He even grabbed the microphone!”

The energetic lemur family will be open for public exhibit starting Friday around noon.

“They are beautiful primitive primates,” said Anderson. “We are all very excited.”