Busch Gardens Welcomes Mongoose Lemurs Twins

A new pair of Mongoose Lemurs were recently born at Busch Gardens Tampa bay. Take a look:

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IT’S TWINS! - Busch Gardens Tampa’s Mongoose Lemurs Give Birth to Rare Pair of Babies

Tampa, Fla. (April 25, 2012) – Earlier this month, Busch Gardens witnessed an uncommon event: the birth of mongoose lemur twins. On Friday, April 6, the two babies were born to 17-year-old mother Rosalita and 18-year-old father Guillermo. Rosalita’s first baby – a male named Duggan – was also born at Busch Gardens and moved to another zoo for breeding.

Mongoose lemurs are classified as a “vulnerable” species, and Busch Gardens takes part in Species Survival Plans (SSP) initiated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to cooperatively manage breeding programs for threatened or endangered species in accredited institutions.

Busch Gardens zoo staff aren’t yet sure if the new babies are male or female. All baby mongoose lemurs look the same at birth, but around 6-8 months of age, males start to change color and develop their red “beard” and cheeks. Females have a darker face and white beard.

The mongoose lemur, like all lemurs, is indigenous to the island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, but they are one of only two species of lemur to also live in an area outside the island: mongoose lemurs can be found on the Comoros Islands between Madagascar and Africa.

Guests can see Busch Gardens’ mongoose lemurs and the new babies at Curiosity Caverns, located near Jambo Junction and the Nairobi Train Station. Listen for their unique vocalizations, which sound like pigs oinking!

Stay tuned to Busch Gardens’ Facebook and Blog for the latest news on all of the park’s new babies. To learn more about Busch Gardens, visit www.buschgardens.com

Photos by Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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Well, it is difficult not to notice that Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is continuously welcoming new baby animals. We are definitely happy to see how prolific the park is!

All photos: © 2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.