New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo welcomes endangered baby lemurs
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The births of two critically endangered lemurs are being celebrated at the Audubon Zoo, marking the second litter to be born there.
According to the Audubon Nature Institute, the two animals, born in April, are male black-and-white ruffed lemurs.
Their status as critically endangered places them one step away from being extinct, according to the IUCN Red List.
Southeastern Louisiana University welcomes first K-9 officer to police force
They carry the space-themed names “Kallisto,” after Jupiter’s moon, Callisto, and “Galileo,” after the astronomer Galileo Galilei.
(Courtesy: Audubon Zoo) (Courtesy: Audubon Zoo) (Courtesy: Audubon Zoo) (Courtesy: Audubon Zoo)
Audubon leaders said the lemurs are the second successful litter from their parents, 6-year-old Masiaka and 17-year-old Gascar, who were recommended for breeding by the Species Survival Plan, a collaboration between AZA-accredited zoos.
Galileo and Kallisto’s siblings from the first litter are 1 year old and carry the similarly space-themed names “Dipper” and “Andromeda.” Dipper is a male, and Andromeda is a female.
TikTok food critic Keith Lee visits two Greater New Orleans restaurants
According to the Audubon Nature Institute, black and white ruffed lemurs are the largest species of the Madagascar-native animal. They function as exceptional pollinators for their home in the rainforest. As they eat, pollen sticks to their fur and gets distributed around as they move.
Kallisto and Galileo can be found in the World of Primates at the Audubon Zoo, along with the rest of their family members. The lemurs’ keepers say you can tell them apart by Galileo’s wider-set eyes and Kallisto’s extra brown fur along his back.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
Latest Posts
New Orleans Red Dress Run organizers address former board member’s ‘offensive’ comments
Over 100 national parks are waiving entrance fees on Sunday: Here’s why
Excessive Heat Warning issued for New Orleans with ‘feels like’ temperatures up to 115?°
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
