Baby Mongoose Lemur Born at Charles Paddock Zoo • Atascadero News

ATASCADERO — The Charles Paddock Zoo has announced the birth of a Mongoose Lemur. The baby lemur is now on display and can be seen by vigilant visitors.

This mongoose lemur, Eulemur mongoz, will cling to its mother for at least the first three weeks. In the first few weeks after birth it is difficult to determine the sex, but zoo staff will be able to tell whether the animal is male or female based on the beard color. Males have red-orange fur under their chin, while females have white fur. The males are born with white beards that turn reddish brown when they are about six weeks old. For about five weeks they will move slowly, tasting the foods that mother and father eat. The adult diet consists mainly of fruit, but they also eat flowers, leaves and occasionally insects. It will be fully weaned around 5 to 6 months and they will monitor the baby’s size and behavior closely, without intervening unless absolutely necessary.

The cub will remain at the zoo as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) until it is ready to leave and go to another zoo for their breeding program to ensure genetic diversity among the species. Lemurs are critically endangered in the wild due to deforestation and poaching/hunting. The Mongoose Lemurs remain on display with the baby, but have access to the back on busy days to prevent stress and overstimulation.

More than 200 species of animals to enjoy at the zoo. Many of the zoo’s residents are part of a globally managed program for the conservation of animals and their habitats. The zoo features several unique species not often seen in facilities of our size, including fossa, red pandas, Malayan tigers, lemurs and meerkats, as well as many other exciting and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Unique gifts, refreshments and strollers are available in the zoo gift shop. Adjacent to Atascadero Lake Park, the zoo is the perfect destination for a day of fun, education and relaxation.

The Charles Paddock Zoo is SLO County’s only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Open daily and located in Atascadero Lake Park on Hwy 41/Morro Road, one mile west of Hwy 101. For information, visit charlespaddockzoo.org or call the zoo at (805) 461-5080.

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