Shropshire’s only zoo supports global movement to save lemurs from extinction

The 6th World Lemur Festival will be celebrated across the globe this October. The awareness spotlight is on the plight of the Madagascan lemur; one of the world’s the most adorable and popular animals. Native to the island country lying off the south-eastern coast of Africa, the world’s oldest primate is threatened with extinction. 98% are at risk of disappearance and a staggering 33% are categorised as Critically Endangered, the highest threat level.

In collaboration with the Lemur Conservation Network, Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom in Shropshire is supporting an awareness drive by launching its first-ever Leap for Lemurs event. The week-long event starts on Saturday 24th October. The final day of the Hoo Farm event coincides with World Lemur Day itself, Friday 30th October. As part of the global World Lemur Festival, the family-run zoo will be hosting daily educational talks and introducing visitors to the 11 resident lemurs during their Leap for Lemurs event.

Visitors can wander through the Lemur Forest, home to 9 ring-tailed and 2 black and white ruffed lemurs, join the educational talks and enter a competition to win an animal experience by naming the zoo’s newest lemur arrival. For those who prefer to get up close and personal, an animal experience can be booked online ahead of the day.

Everyone can be in with a chance to win an animal experience for 2, by entering the competition which will run parallel dates to Hoo Farm’s World Lemur Festival event. Entrants can enter the competition by clicking the link in their ticket and emailing [email protected] with ‘Name That Lemur’ as the subject. The winner will be notified via email on Sunday 1st November 2020.

Lemur-lovers can show further support by adopting a lemur for one year. Including a certificate of adoption, lemur magnet and one day visit to Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom the funds from all adoption packages helps Hoo Farm to cover all feeding, veterinary, housing and enrichment the animals need.

During the event, Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom will be holding several fundraising raffles, tombola’s and other activities to help raise donations for SEED Madagascar, and organisation based in Madagascar carrying out important research and outreach programming.

Partner and Head Hoo Keeper Will Dorrell said “We’re committed to help organisations that protect, educate and safeguard animals from extinction. Lemurs are one of the world’s most endangered group of mammals and we support the mission to raise awareness and save lemurs from extinction”.

Wills Wild World – Lemurs https://www.facebook.com/184416748290058/videos/2459419967495475

The lemur’s popularity soared when the world fell in love with King Julian, one of the principal characters in the Madagascar films, but few are aware of the current crisis the animal faces if action isn’t taken soon.

Lucia Rodriguez, director of The Lemur Conservation Network, explains “It is necessary to work hard, united, and close to the Malagasy people to save lemurs from extinction. We are facing a crisis that goes beyond Madagascar and needs to be addressed by the world. This is why we are so excited that zoos around the world are celebrating the World Lemur Festival. By teaching visitors about lemurs, zoos inspire new lemur fans who can then share their love of lemurs with their friends and family and act with us to save lemurs from extinction.”

DID YOU KNOW!

It costs £1200 per a year for the food for one lemur. That’s over £13,000 in grub alone for the lemurs at Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom. Here are 5 more lemur facts:

Madagascar is the only place lemurs naturally call home
There are over 100 species of lemur
Lemurs have a female-dominant society
As crucial seed dispersers, lemurs are ‘creators of the forest’
Besides humans, lemurs are the only primates that have blue eyes
Tickets to Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom must be purchased online. Bookings made up to midnight of the night before the visit are eligible for a discount. Adults £11.95, Seniors £10.45, Family of 4 £44.00 / 5 £55, Children £10.95