Lemur Twins Newest Additions to Audubon Zoo

Audubon Zoo is happy to announce the birth of two black and white ruffed lemurs.

The twins are the first for five-year-old Mom, Masiaka. Dad Gascar is 17-years-old and has fathered other offspring at the Zoo.  After a nearly three-month pregnancy, the twins – a boy and a girl - were born April 19, 2023.  Multiples are not unusual for black and white ruffed lemurs. 

These two are important additions to the Zoo’s population. Black and white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered in the wild, and like all lemurs are only found on the island of Madagascar. They live in the canopies of the rainforest, are active during the day, and are exceptional pollinators. They help move seeds and pollen through the rainforest, often by carrying  pollen on their fur from flower to flower. They are threatened by hunting, deforestation and habitat loss.

Masi and Gascar are part of the Species Survival Plan which is designed to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and stable population of animals in human care for the long-term survival of a species.  

These active youngsters are still small so they are behind-the-scenes with their parents, and will be out on exhibit at Audubon zoo in the next few weeks. The young male has a tuft of white on his head, while his sister does not. You can see them soon exploring their home in the World of Primates.