RING-TAILED LEMUR MOM, ALLAGASH, WELCOMES TWINS TO WATER’S EDGE: AFRICA – Keepers at Water’s Edge: Africa were seeing double Sunday morning as they welcomed twins to the ring-tailed lemur family. Around 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 11, animal staff spotted first-time mom, 8-year-old Allagash (AL-uh-gash), holding an infant lemur and then confirmed a second stripy bundle of joy had arrived. The twins are the second and third ring-tailed lemurs born this year at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Allagash’s sister, Rogue, welcomed her first baby on April 26, 2021.
“Allagash is probably our feistiest lemur, so we’re excited to see how her bold personality translates to motherhood,” said Philip Waugh, lead keeper in Water’s Edge. “We’ve heard her cooing gently to her babies while they nurse, which is something we didn’t see with Rogue. She has her hands full with these twins, but she seems to be embracing her natural instincts to groom, feed, snuggle and protect them.”
The tiny newborns can be difficult to spot, since they’re typically cuddled up to mom’s chest for the first couple of weeks. Rogue’s baby has been curious about the new residents, leaping over to its aunt Allagash to get a quick look at the newborns before excitedly pouncing away. Six ring-tailed lemurs now share their waterfront home in the new exhibit, which opened in June 2020: Hercules, 4-year-old dad; Allagash, 8-year-old mom; Rogue, 8-year-old sister/aunt; Rogue’s 11-week-old baby and the newborn twins.
Staff have seen the babies nursing and consistently clinging to mom, which indicate the babies are healthy and bonding well with Allagash. The sexes of the twins have not been identified, but CMZoo will share updates on its social media channels as the team learns more about them. As long as all continues to go well for the lemurs, guests can see them right away.
“They’re so cute with their bandit-like eye markings and big fluffy ears,” said Waugh. “We have a trusting relationship with Allagash, so she’s been happy to let us get close enough to visually check on her and the little ones. She’s doing a great job. We’re going to follow Allagash’s lead as long as things are going well, and we’re here to support her if she needs us.”
CMZoo veterinary and animal staff are closely monitoring mom and her new babies, but won’t get the babies in hand unless they see it’s medically necessary.
According to the Lemur Conservation Foundation, lemurs are among the most threatened groups of mammals. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that over 95 percent of lemurs face extinction in the next 20 years. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, according to the IUCN. Hercules has breeding recommendations with Allagash and Rogue, as part of the ring-tailed lemur Species Survival Plan, managed cooperatively by members of Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities, like CMZoo.
CMZoo was aware of Allagash’s pregnancy and had been monitoring her and the twins regularly. Lemur gestation periods last about 135 days. Breeding females typically have one baby per year, but twins can be common when food is abundant. Newborn lemurs cling closely to the mother’s abdomen for about two weeks, then will start to ride on her back. After about month, the young lemurs start exploring more independently until they’re fully weaned at about five or six months. More about ring-tailed lemurs at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2021, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of very few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
Get up-close with the Zoo’s newest addition, a one-month-old ring-tailed lemur, born Monday, April 26, to first-time mom, Rogue.
The first baby born in our new exhibit, Water’s Edge: Africa, is surpassing milestones and stealing our hearts with ease. Join Philip, lead keeper in Water’s Edge, on lemur island to learn how Rogue is embracing motherhood, how the little one is showing signs of strength, and how Hercules and Allagash – the baby’s father and aunt – are warming up to their tiny new relative.
Because baby and mom are bonding so well, we haven’t thoroughly checked the baby, so we haven’t confirmed its sex. We don’t have naming plans to share, yet, but we’ll keep you posted.
You can visit the baby, Rogue, Allagash and Hercules in Water’s Edge: Africa. Baby is still clinging to Rogue most of the time, so it can be hard to see in-person. Philip says one of the best times to spot the baby is when the lemurs are sunning on the trees outside each morning. The baby is often snuggled on Rogue’s chest while she stretches out in the warm sunshine.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A RING-TAILED LEMUR BABY AND A RED RIVER HOGLET – Two first-time animal moms at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed their babies just in time for Mother’s Day this year! Rogue, a ring-tailed lemur, gave birth on Monday, April 26, and Zena, a Red River hog, welcomed her little piglet on Saturday, April 24. Both moms and babies seem to be bonding and doing well.
Rogue, an 8-year-old ring-tailed lemur, is the proud mom of a fluffy 4-day-old baby, with the same markings as adult lemurs – complete with mini tufted ears and a long black-and-white striped tail. The baby’s sex has not been identified, and likely won’t be for several months. Because mom and baby are doing so well, keepers won’t intervene unless necessary.
The baby is showing signs it’s strong. Keepers say the baby even chooses to cuddle upside-down sometimes, with a firm grip on mom’s chest and stomach, as she moves around. Although lemur fathers don’t typically play an active role in raising their young, 3-year-old dad, Hercules, is curious about his baby. Keepers say Hercules has approached Rogue and the baby, and mom lets dad sniff the baby while she keeps it safe in her arms.
This is the first lemur born at CMZoo in 15 years, and the first baby of any kind born at Water’s Edge: Africa – CMZoo’s new exhibit for hippos, penguins, warthogs, pelicans, lemurs and more. Guests may catch glimpses of the baby on Lemur Island, located in the center of the indoor hippo pool, right away.
“We knew Rogue was expecting, and we are excited to welcome our first Water’s Edge baby to the world,” said Philip Waugh, lead Water’s Edge: Africa keeper. “When we came to work Monday morning, we could see Rogue carrying this tiny little baby around so delicately and being really attentive. It’s been exciting watching the baby, but it’s been even more special watching Rogue embrace this role so naturally. It’s amazing how she just knows what to do.”
Seven-year-old Zena’s keepers say she’s adapting to motherhood well, too. The Red River hog is also a first-time mom who seems to know exactly what to do, even though her 6-day-old youngster looks a lot different than she does. The baby’s sex has not been identified and likely won’t be for another few weeks.
“This is the cutest baby you’ve ever seen in your life,” said Brooke Powell, African Rift Valley keeper and Zena’s primary trainer. “It’s about the size of Zena’s snout, and it’s a beautiful orange-red color with white stripes and spots on its body. It’s so small, but it can move! It’s been super active, running and bouncing around. We love it.”
Zena came to CMZoo on a breeding recommendation with Huey. Thirteen-year-old Huey has been a great father in the past, when he welcomed one offspring in 2015 and three hoglets to CMZoo with his mate, Ari, in 2013. Red River hog fathers, unlike many species, are active in raising their young. For now, while Zena is protective of her little one, they’re giving mom and baby time to bond alone, and will plan to introduce Huey later.
“Zena is an awesome mom” said Powell. “She’s really protective, which is great, and she lets her keepers look at the baby. She makes sure baby is following her wherever she goes, too. They’re really snuggly with each other, and Zena is certainly making sure that little piggy gets plenty to eat.”
Guests won’t see the young Red River hog for at least a few weeks, while Zena and the baby bond together and stay nice and warm indoors. They will start to venture out when Colorado’s weather is a little more predictable.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2020, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
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