Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
In the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa lies Madagascar, the fourth largest island nation in the world. Because of its isolated location, many animals and plants that live there are found nowhere else on earth. Along with hedgehog-like insectivores, many kinds of chameleons and around 800 species of butterflies are more than 100 unique types of lemurs.
Unfortunately, large-scale cutting of forests on the island has threatened the majority of plants and animals on Madagascar with extinction. In fact, lemurs have become the most endangered mammals on the planet. One strategy to prevent their permanent loss is through successful breeding programs carried out at sanctuaries around the world. To date, more than fifty species of mammals and birds alone have been saved from extinction thanks to captive breeding efforts.
One safe haven for endangered species is the North Florida Wildlife Center in Jefferson County. It has actively participated in captive breeding programs since it opened here in 2019. The center has been especially successful breeding its lemur population. The ring-tailed lemurs (lemur catta) in residence at the center have been growing their family for a couple of years now, with the birth of one baby in 2023 and two more in 2024.
The Wildlife Center is also home to two young, male black-and-white ruffed lemurs (varecia variegata), Saka and Akondro, for whom the staff have been hoping to eventually find mates. Finally this February, two female black-and-white ruffed lemurs arrived here from the Chase Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservancy in Webster, Fla. For now, they have their own enclosure separated from the males, but both groups have windows that give them the chance to glimpse each other across a walkway that runs in between. And by all accounts they are enjoying the view! The new arrivals are sisters who are still a bit young to mate, but within a year or so they are expected to be ready for the opportunity to help save their species.
“We have waited many, many years for this,” says Executive Director Ryan Reines. “The black-and-white ruffed lemurs are one of the critically endangered species we house. They are nearly extinct in the wild, so we are very very excited, obviously, to introduce the females to their males.”
The sisters were recently named Raina (meaning “Ancestor”) and Anja (meaning “Eye”) through a donate-to-vote poll, which raised more than $300 to support their care. They are doing great, Reines says, adding that they are super friendly and already meeting visitors. He points out that Raina and Anja are unrelated to Saka and Akondro. This is very important in programs that propagate rare and endangered species, which must take care to maintain a large, healthy and genetically diverse captive population.
While some species bred in institutions remain there, some can be released into the wild. For that to happen for lemurs, however, their habitat on Madagascar must be restored. Because of this, the Wildlife Center has a conservation partnership with an organization called Green Again Madagascar, which collaborates with Malagasy people to restore the rainforest, conserve the unique tropical biodiversity of the island and at the same time support traditional livelihoods.
“We fund the planting of hundreds of trees every month,” says Reines, “as well as maintenance and scientific research funding for the team.”
At the same time, he has embarked on a plan to create six different lemur habitats at The Wildlife Center. One for the ring-tailed lemurs was completed last fall, and construction has begun on one for the black-and-white ruffed lemurs to all share once they are ready to be introduced to each other. After that, one will be built to allow the center to bring back a population of brown lemurs (eulemur fulvus).
In the wild, the different species of lemurs fill different ecological niches, which allows them to coexist on their island without competition for resources. Some are nocturnal and others diurnal; some eat mostly insects and others mostly fruit; some live on the ground and others prefer to be in the trees. These ruffed lemurs, Reines explains, are highly fructivorous, eating almost exclusively fruit, leaves and nectar. In the wild, they serve as significant pollinators whose nectar-licking habits help populate the fruit-bearing trees in Madagascar.
To observe the ruffed lemurs in person, visit the Wildlife Center, located at 1386 Cook Rd. in Lamont, Fla. The center now offers general admission for self-guided visits, Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry for adults (ages 16+) is now just $19.95 and for children (ages 4-15) just $14.95. During the local schools' spring break the second week of March, there also is a promotional $5 discount for children. Infants (ages 0-3) enter for free, and parking also is free for both cars and buses.
For information about how to add a personal animal encounter to general admission or book a VIP tour with animal encounter, visit www.northfloridawildlife.org. Encounters are available with the foxes, Cypress and Willow; the ruffed lemurs, Saka and Akondro; Sid the sloth; the red kangaroos, Evie and Erwin; King Bumi, the giant anteater; and an avian encounter with one of the ambassador birds.
Previously, the Wildlife Center offered only guided tours, but Reines is happy to report that since the center implemented general admission several weeks ago, visitation has increased by 25 percent, and he expects that to rise to 50 percent during the busy spring season.
While walking around to see the fascinating wildlife, visitors to the North Florida Wildlife Center will also see lots of projects underway: a new lemur exhibit, a new zone for the large wading birds and more. Plus, over at the popular goat-feeding pen, newborn kids have arrived. On top of that, stay tuned for news about the bats!