The Cotswold Wildlife Park has announced the birth of a greater bamboo lemur, one of the most endangered primates native to Madagascar. This rare event marks a significant achievement, as the park is the only zoological collection in the UK—and one of only two worldwide—to have successfully bred the species in 2024.
The newborn lemur, whose sex is yet to be determined, was born to Raphael, a breeding male, and Bijou, his mate. Visitors can already catch glimpses of the youngster exploring its enclosure in the park’s Madagascar exhibit.
Globally, only 36 greater bamboo lemurs exist in captivity, and just seven zoological institutions worldwide house this species. Classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species faces the constant threat of extinction due to habitat loss in its native Madagascar.
Cotswold Wildlife Park’s success this year continues a remarkable streak—this is the fourth consecutive year the park has managed to breed the greater bamboo lemur. Both Raphael and Bijou are part of the European breeding programme, which coordinates efforts across zoos to maintain genetic diversity and prevent species decline.
Greater bamboo lemurs are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, making this birth especially noteworthy. Their natural habitat in Madagascar is being rapidly depleted due to deforestation and agricultural expansion, driven by human population growth. These pressures have decimated the species’ population, making captive breeding efforts crucial for their survival.
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Jamie Craig, the park’s general manager, emphasized the urgency of conservation: “Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and the rising human population. It is vital that we raise awareness about these unique primates before it’s too late.”
Craig also highlighted the park’s commitment to conservation projects beyond its borders. “We fund an important conservation site in Madagascar and participate in several other initiatives through the Cotswold Wildlife Park Conservation Trust,” he said. “Having these lemurs here not only helps ensure their survival but also supports our fundraising efforts to protect their wild habitats.”
The greater bamboo lemurs at Cotswold serve as living ambassadors, raising awareness about the fragility of Madagascar’s ecosystem and the importance of conservation efforts. The park’s involvement in breeding and conservation projects is part of a larger global movement to preserve endangered species through both education and direct action.
As the newborn lemur settles into its new environment, the park hopes it will inspire visitors to support conservation efforts. “These animals are not only rare but represent a crucial link in our work to protect Madagascar’s biodiversity,” Craig said.
With such successes offering hope, institutions like the Cotswold Wildlife Park play a vital role in ensuring that critically endangered species like the greater bamboo lemur have a future, both in captivity and in the wild.
Source: BBC
