by George Lindsay-Watson

kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk

Three new red bellied lemurs are the first of their kind at Howletts.

The animals, which are native to Madagascar, made their debut at Howletts Wild Animal Park last week in the Walking With Lemurs enclosure.

The males are distinguishable by their reddish brown fur and dramatic white markings around the eyes and black tails.

Lemur numbers are falling because of the destruction of their East Madagascan rainforest and hunting in the area.

Animal director Neil Spooner said: “The boys are settling in well and will live side by side with the black and white ruffed lemurs in the Walking with Lemurs enclosure.
“Red bellied lemurs are native to East Madagascar and are listed as a vulnerable species. Their diet consists of flowers, fruits and leaves along with some invertebrates. The rapid deforestation in Madagascar is responsible for the decline of lemurs.”

For more information visit www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts or call 01227 721286.