We’re celebrating some very exciting arrivals here at Blair Drummond Safari Park, with the birth of three critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemur pups.
The trio, born on 19 April to experienced mum Cali and dad Páraic, have been named Domino, Zero and Ebony in a nod to their striking black-and-white coats. They’re already proving to be quite the little characters and are a very special addition to our Lemur Land family.
Their arrival marks another impressive milestone for Cali, who has now successfully raised eleven pups here at the park. These are the fourth black-and-white ruffed lemur pups to be born at Blair Drummond, with several of their older siblings now living in other leading zoological collections across the UK as part of an important conservation breeding programme.
Native to Madagascar, black-and-white ruffed lemurs are among the world’s most threatened primates, with an estimated 1,000 to 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Alongside hunting and the illegal pet trade, habitat loss caused by deforestation continues to push the species closer to the brink.
We play an active role in the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP), helping to maintain a healthy “insurance population” in conservation-focused zoos across Europe. Beyond the park, we also support lemur conservation in the wild through our Link to the Wild partnership with Feedback Madagascar.
Lemur Land Team Leader, Lesley Grant, said:
“It’s always incredibly special to welcome new arrivals but knowing just how vulnerable this species is makes these births even more meaningful. Cali is a brilliant mum, and it’s fantastic to see the pups doing so well. Every birth is an important step in helping to secure the future of these amazing animals.”
For now, Domino, Zero and Ebony are staying close to mum in their indoor habitat, where visitors may be lucky enough to spot them practising their climbing skills. As they grow in confidence, they’ll eventually join the rest of the free-roaming group in Lemur Land and, in time, continue their important role in the conservation breeding programme.