Endangered ring-tailed lemur babies born at zoo

The two lemurs born at Hoo Zoo can be seen by visitors as they explore the woodland-walkthrough habitat

Two endangered ring-tailed lemurs have been born at a zoo in Shropshire.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford said the births were part of its work to support conservation and breeding programmes for threatened species and the pair were born to mums Rakoto and Ali.

Ring-tailed lemurs are native to Madagascar but have been classified as critically endangered through hunting and habitat loss, the zoo said.

The babies share the same dad, Ricky, and their arrival has been described by staff as "fantastic news for us and for the species".

Zoo director Will Dorrell, said: "Both Rakoto and Abi are proving to be excellent mothers, and the family unit is bonding well.

"The babies are already showing off their climbing skills, all whilst sticking closely to their mums as they explore."

Ring-tailed lemurs are critically endangered in the wild in their native Madagascar, off Africa's east coast, the zoo said

Mr Dorrell added all lemur species were facing threats in the wild due to deforestation and illegal hunting.

A proportion of the money from the attraction's lemur experiences was now going directly towards supporting "lemur populations in their native range", he said.

The babies can be seen daily in the zoo's woodland walk-through lemur habitat.