THERE are three different species of lemur housed at the Lake District Wildlife Park and they all have their individual characteristics.
The ring-tailed lemurs are the species that most people recognise due to the popularity of the film Madagascar.
The troop at the Park is made up of 13 individuals and they are very active.
They can be seen leaping around their playground and climbing up the high branches of their oak tree. Visitors can see them being fed and learn all about them every day at the Lemur talk.
Buffy and Willow are the pair of red-ruffed lemurs, and they are gentle but do like to make a noise. They have thick coats of red fur and are very endearing.
Sadly, these beautiful animals are critically endangered in the wild.
The black and white ruffed lemurs are also critically endangered and the group at the Park is made up of four individuals.
What is unique about these cuddly looking balls of fur is that they are the second loudest primate in the world, with the howler monkey being the loudest. When they all call together, they can be heard right at the top end of the Park.
There is however another lemur that resides at the Park and he is unique...
He is quite sleepy most of the time but when the sun starts shining, he comes out to play.
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King Julien the lemur is the Park’s mascot and in the summer months he will spend time out and about saying hello to visitors.
Although he is quite mischievous and has been known to jump on the swing and whizz down the slide on the playground, he does have an important job to do.
Julien is responsible for raising awareness about lemurs in the wild.
All lemurs are endemic to the island of Madagascar and many of them are endangered due to habitat loss, deforestation, and threats from the pet trade.
King Julien wanders about the Park with one of our Keepers who explain the plight of lemurs in the wild and tell visitors all about the charity called SEED Madagascar.
SEED is supported by the Lake District Wildlife Park for all the good work that they do helping local people in Madagascar.
Through helping locals to improve their living conditions and educating them about wildlife they really are doing their best to help Lemurs.
After a bit of education, Julien loves nothing more to partake in a bit of 'high-fiving' and having his photo taken.
On the hot days he doesn’t stay out for too long as being a big hairy Lemur can take its toll and he does have to go for a cool down!
On the more overcast days you might see him out and about for a bit longer. He is extremely friendly and loves to say hello to everyone he meets.
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