NAPLES, Fla. -- Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is celebrating the birth and debut of three critically endangered red-ruffed lemurs.
The adorable brothers will make their debut to the public this Friday, June 28th.
Naples Zoo’s newest residents were named by the people who spend the most time with them - their keepers. The first born is Chip, next is Jalapeno and then Pico.
Chip is just like his dad, a chip off the old block. Jalapeno was named for his spicy personality and Pico is the smallest of the three.
The red-ruffed lemurs were born on May 5th to 11-year-old mother Ruby. Ruby and her mate, 4-year-old Indy, were specifically matched by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is a cooperatively managed breeding program that works to create sustainable populations of threatened and endangered species.
Red-ruffed lemurs are one of the World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates. Native to the northeastern deciduous forests of Madagascar, red-ruffed lemurs are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to deforestation, hunting and trapping for pet trade.
To follow the Zoo’s progress in caring for the babies, check for news on the Zoo’s Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.
