Snowleopard's Mammals: A Lifetime List of Species Mammalian and Non-Mammalian

[Smaggledagle]

Here's an image of the Brown-mantled Tamarin at Jenkinson's Aquarium (USA):

@red river hog

I'd love to know the story of how an obscure little aquarium in New Jersey ended up with such a rarity in its collection. He was labeled as 'Andean Saddleback Tamarin' on this photo:

According to the facility's Facebook page, his name is Stinky, and he came to the facility in 2009 after being confiscated by US Fish & Wildlife.

Jenkinson's Aquarium

 

[snowleopard]

After finishing up with Mongoose Lemurs in my last post, I will now provide the data I have about TWO lemur species. I've seen Collared Brown Lemurs at 9 zoos and Common Brown Lemurs at 9 zoos.

Here are my two lists:

1- Denver Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2006
2- Bronx Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2008
3- Indianapolis Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2008
4- Disney’s Animal Kingdom (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2008
5- Dallas Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2010
6- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2012
7- ZooTampa at Lowry Park (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2012
8- Berlin Tierpark (Germany) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2019
9- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2023

AND...

1- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2012
2- Wildwood Wildlife Park (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2014
3- Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2015
4- Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2015
5- Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2015
6- Austin Zoo (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2015
7- Munkholm Zoo (Denmark) – Common Brown Lemur – 2022
8- Randers Regnskov (Denmark) – Common Brown Lemur – 2022
9- San Diego Zoo (USA) – Common Brown Lemur – 2023

Here's a remarkable image of a Collared Brown Lemur at the Bronx Zoo (USA):

@RatioTile

Denver Zoo (USA) had what was listed as White-collared Brown Lemurs in with Red Ruffed Lemurs in the Primate Panorama zone of the zoo. Does anyone know if they were truly White-collared Brown Lemurs or actually a species already described (Gray-headed Lemur)? They could have been Eulemur albocollaris or Eulemur cinereiceps. Or something else? Ya gotta love the constant taxonomic changes for lemurs. In 20 years, it will all change again.

Here's an active Collared Brown Lemur at Disney's Animal Kingdom (USA), the most popular zoo in the world with approximately 10 million annual visitors.

@Austin the Sengi

Dallas Zoo (USA) had three lemur species (Collared Brown, Ring-tailed and Black-and-white Ruffed) all together in this lush, heavily vegetated exhibit:

When I was at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) in 2012, I saw this all-indoor exhibit with Collared Brown Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Radiated Tortoises in the Expedition Madagascar building.

A stunning Collared Brown Lemur portrait:

@demonmoth

ZooTampa at Lowry Park (USA) had Collared Brown Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs together when I was there in 2012:

San Diego Zoo (USA) has had Collared Brown Lemurs in the Africa Rocks section for years. Or perhaps White-collared Brown Lemurs? Or are they classified as the same species these days? (I'm basing my list on the fact that I'm discussing one type of lemur)

@Ding Lingwei

AND...

Common Brown Lemur:

@YuanChang

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) combined Common Brown Lemurs with Red Ruffed Lemurs in this all-indoor enclosure:

Wildwood Wildlife Park (USA) had both Common Brown Lemurs and Red Ruffed Lemurs in this tiny cage when I was there in 2014:

This diabolical little cage at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo (USA) had what was listed as Common Brown Lemurs inside.

Another Texas facility, Austin Zoo (USA), had Common Brown Lemurs in 2015.

Two zoos where I saw Common Brown Lemurs happened to be in Denmark. Here's an exhibit at Munkholm Zoo (Denmark):

@Hvedekorn

Lemur List:

Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184 zoos

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs - 76 zoos

Red Ruffed Lemurs - 75 zoos

Black Lemurs - 14 zoos

Mongoose Lemurs - 12 zoos

Blue-eyed Black Lemurs - 9 zoos

Collared Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Common Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Does anyone know if they were truly White-collared Brown Lemurs or actually a species already described (Gray-headed Lemur)? They could have been Eulemur albocollaris or Eulemur cinereiceps.

The former is a junior synonym of the latter, so it would be the same either way. From memory, cinereiceps was described first from poorly-stuffed female individuals and then all-but-forgotten for decades, whilst in the meantime albocollaris was "discovered" and became fairly well-known. Subsequently, when attempts were made to work out whether cinereiceps was extant, genetic testing of the type specimens proved it was a senior synonym of the better-known taxon. In other words, it isn't a case of a taxonomic lumping, just one of priority.

Whether Denver actually had the species or not is another matter entirely - to the best of my knowledge, in recent decades the only purebred (and *heavily* inbred) White-collared in captivity outside Madagascar have been in Europe. As such, I suspect there's a good chance they were mislabelled Collared Lemur.

San Diego Zoo (USA) has had Collared Brown Lemurs in the Africa Rocks section for years. Or perhaps White-collared Brown Lemurs? Or are they classified as the same species these days? (I'm basing my list on the fact that I'm discussing one type of lemur)

They aren't classified as the same species, no - and aren't even the closest kin to one another within Eulemur. It's pretty moot in any case, as I think the animal in the photo looks to be a child of many lineages rather than a pure species quite probably a mixture of White-collared, Common Brown and who knows what else.

 

[snowleopard]

That's all very helpful @TeaLovingDave and I appreciate your insight. Not only am I going back through hundreds of old zoo reviews and thousands of photos, but now I'm dealing with possible hybrid lemurs. Haha! It's actually super fascinating for me to analyze what animals I've seen over the years, and I suppose that the odd tamarin/marmoset hybrid has come up here and there, or else an animal born via different lemur species. Sometimes when I go through the ZooChat gallery there's some creatures that look a little "off" and zoos weren't so worried about hybridization years ago. When I get into the carnivores I will purposely ignore 'Ligers', even though I've come across a bunch of them in American roadside zoos. They are mutant-like critters.

 

[15399]

That's all very helpful @TeaLovingDave and I appreciate your insight. Not only am I going back through hundreds of old zoo reviews and thousands of photos, but now I'm dealing with possible hybrid lemurs. Haha! It's actually super fascinating for me to analyze what animals I've seen over the years, and I suppose that the odd tamarin/marmoset hybrid has come up here and there, or else an animal born via different lemur species. Sometimes when I go through the ZooChat gallery there's some creatures that look a little "off" and zoos weren't so worried about hybridization years ago. When I get into the carnivores I will purposely ignore 'Ligers', even though I've come across a bunch of them in American roadside zoos. They are mutant-like critters.

Of course, hybrids and uncertainty is especially complicated in long-lived taxa such as lemurs. On your 2008 road trip, there was a very real chance you could've seen lemurs who were born in the late 1970's, when zoological practices were of course very different than they are today!

 

[Andrew_NZP]

3- Smithsonian’s National Zoo (USA) – Collared Brown Lemur – 2008

The National Zoo didn't acquire collared brown lemurs until 2021. Back in 2008 they would've had red-fronted lemurs (along with the previously mentioned ring-tailed and red ruffed).

 

[snowleopard]

The National Zoo didn't acquire collared brown lemurs until 2021. Back in 2008 they would've had red-fronted lemurs (along with the previously mentioned ring-tailed and red ruffed).

That's odd. On my 2008 thread titled Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip, I wrote this: Lemur Island - two species of lemur (brown collared and ring-tailed) on a large expanse of land that comes with a photogenic, crashing waterfall.

There's also a couple of ZooChat photos from 2010 from @KCZooFan that are labeled as 'Brown Lemur' but both photos are kind of blurry and could be anything. Here's one:

Is it feasible that The National Zoo had elderly Collared Brown Lemurs in 2008 and then didn't get them again until 2021? But I believe you @Andrew_NZP and it's definitely possible that I saw Red-fronted Lemurs 16 years ago and the same goes for @KCZooFan and his photos. I'll make the changes to Red-fronted in my notes. Thanks!

 

[Andrew_NZP]

That's odd. On my 2008 thread titled Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip, I wrote this: Lemur Island - two species of lemur (brown collared and ring-tailed) on a large expanse of land that comes with a photogenic, crashing waterfall.


There's also a couple of ZooChat photos from 2010 from @KCZooFan that are labeled as 'Brown Lemur' but both photos are kind of blurry and could be anything. Here's one:

Is it feasible that The National Zoo had elderly Collared Brown Lemurs in 2008 and then didn't get them again until 2021? But I believe you @Andrew_NZP and it's definitely possible that I saw Red-fronted Lemurs 16 years ago and the same goes for @KCZooFan and his photos. I'll make the changes to Red-fronted in my notes. Thanks!

Besides the two photos uploaded in September of 2010 and your 2008 road trip thread, the earliest mention of the zoo having brown lemurs on ZC that I could find was this post by me back in July of 2021.

While not a bunch there's a few photos and a couple mentions in some threads and media comments of the red-fronted, though the majority are from later years. And while I have no clue how accurate their website was back in 2008 and 2010, using the internet archives wayback machine I can see they only list ring-tailed, red-fronted and red ruffed lemurs during those years.

Also I think its a red ruffed lemur in the photos. They're taken in the Small Mammal
House, and since I go to the zoo fairly often, I can tell they're obviously taken in the same exhibit they're found in today. While other species have been exhibited with them before, I don't remember any other lemurs being with them.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Besides the two photos uploaded in September of 2010 and your 2008 road trip thread, the earliest mention of the zoo having brown lemurs on ZC that I could find was this post by me back in July of 2021.

Yes that is correct, they didn't have collared brown lemurs in DC until May 2021.

 

[snowleopard]

Thanks for your help, @Andrew_NZP and @Nile Hippo Expert

I'll definitely update my lists to ensure that Red-fronted Lemurs and not Collared Brown Lemurs were at Smithsonian's National Zoo in 2008. We are a team of sleuths!

 

[snowleopard]

I've seen Crowned Lemurs at 10 zoos, a similar number to a range of other lemur species. It's fascinating to note that I've never seen Crowned Lemurs by themselves, as they have always shared an exhibit with one of their lemur peers.

1- Houston Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2010
2- Hattiesburg Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2012
3- Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2014
4- San Francisco Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2017
5- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2018
6- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
7- Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
8- NaturZoo Rheine (Germany) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
9- Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
10- Oakland Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2023

Crowned Lemurs are beautiful primates:

@Therabu

Houston Zoo (USA) has consistently held a large primate collection over the years, including Crowned Lemurs, Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs in this exhibit in 2010:

An obscure zoo in Mississippi, Hattiesburg Zoo (USA), had Crowned Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs all together in this exhibit in 2012:

Another obscure zoo, Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) in North Dakota, had Crowned Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs together in this chain-link cage in 2014:

The Lipman Family Lemur Forest is one of the few highlights of San Francisco Zoo (USA), with a variety of lemurs including Crowned Lemurs in this exhibit.

@Hipporex

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) has had a spectacular lemur collection since Expedition Madagascar opened in 2010, including Crowned Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs sharing this space at times:

@Dhole dude

ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) also has a nice lemur collection, including stunning Crowned Lemurs:

@KevinB

Crowned Lemurs seem to rarely get their own personal exhibit. At Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands), they have shared space with Ring-tailed Lemurs in the past.

@Jogy

There are a handful of different types of lemurs at NaturZoo Rheine (Germany), in a forested area as well as a spacious wooden cage. The list includes Crowned Lemurs, which I saw in 2019.

@RonBurrgundy

It's possible to rent a small boat and paddle around the lemur exhibit at Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands). Crowned Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs share a forested space.

@KevinB

@Geert

And then there is Oakland Zoo (USA), with its exhibit of Crowned Lemurs, Blue-eyed Black Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs set against a cliff face.

@Coelacanth18

Lemur List:

Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184 zoos

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs - 76 zoos

Red Ruffed Lemurs - 75 zoos

Black Lemurs - 14 zoos

Mongoose Lemurs - 12 zoos

Crowned Lemurs - 10 zoos

Blue-eyed Black Lemurs - 9 zoos

Collared Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Common Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

 

[JVM]

It's fascinating to note that I've never seen Crowned Lemurs by themselves, as they have always shared an exhibit with one of their lemur peers.

Fascinating to think they were only held in mixed exhibits. Lincoln Park Zoo has held crowned lemur for a long time and they are the only lemur species on display at the zoo. No ringtail or ruffed to be seen.

 

[snowleopard]

I've seen Red-fronted Lemurs at 10 zoos, but never at 120 European zoos/aquariums. It's 7-3 U.S.A. over Canada for these guys!

1- Smithsonian’s National Zoo (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2008
2- Mountain View Conservation Centre (Canada) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2008
3- Birmingham Zoo (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2010
4- Houston Zoo (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2010
5- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2012
6- Edmonton Valley Zoo (Canada) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2012
7- Grant’s Farm (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2014
8- Capital of Texas Zoo (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2015
9- San Francisco Zoo (USA) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2017
10- Calgary Zoo (Canada) – Red-fronted Lemur – 2017

Like many lemurs, the Red-fronted species has a striking face:

@Newzooboy

Smithsonian’s National Zoo (USA) had Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs in this exhibit in 2008, complete with a cascading waterfall and a mountain of rocks.

Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs shared an all-indoor space (with a roof that allowed sunlight) at Birmingham Zoo (USA) in 2010.

Houston Zoo (USA) had Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs together, as well as Big-headed Turtles and Blue-billed Teals, in this exhibit in 2010:

I saw Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs together at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (USA) in 2012, in that zoo's Edge of Africa complex.

Edmonton Valley Zoo (Canada) opened its Makira Outpost complex in 2007, with Red-fronted Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs all there during my visit in 2012.

The obscure, privately-owned Missouri zoo called Grant's Farm (USA) had Red-fronted Lemurs in a tiny island exhibit surrounded by a lot of water when I was there in 2014. On a side note, this same zoo had 4 African Elephants when I was there, now long gone just like the Red-fronted Lemurs.

Another relatively unknown facility, the Capital of Texas Zoo (USA), had Red-fronted Lemurs in a basic cage when I was there in 2015.

Red-fronted Lemurs are one of several lemur species that have been found at San Francisco Zoo (USA) over the years.

Calgary Zoo (Canada) added its Land of Lemurs walk-through exhibit in 2017, with Red-fronted Lemurs part of the species line-up.

Entrance doors:

Red-fronted Lemurs have a black stripe down the center of their face that is noteworthy.

@Sam R

Lemur List:

Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184 zoos

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs - 76 zoos

Red Ruffed Lemurs - 75 zoos

Black Lemurs - 14 zoos

Mongoose Lemurs - 12 zoos

Crowned Lemurs - 10 zoos

Red-fronted Lemurs - 10 zoos

Blue-eyed Black Lemurs - 9 zoos

Collared Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Common Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

 

[Chlidonias]

The National Zoo didn't acquire collared brown lemurs until 2021. Back in 2008 they would've had red-fronted lemurs (along with the previously mentioned ring-tailed and red ruffed).

That's odd. On my 2008 thread titled Snowleopard's Epic Road Trip, I wrote this: Lemur Island - two species of lemur (brown collared and ring-tailed) on a large expanse of land that comes with a photogenic, crashing waterfall.

Red-fronted Lemurs were formerly treated as a subspecies of Brown Lemur (fulvus) (as were Collared Brown Lemurs), so it is likely that the signage at the time was simply confusing names.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I've seen Red-fronted Lemurs at 10 zoos, but never at 120 European zoos/aquariums. It's 7-3 U.S.A. over Canada for these guys!

As regards this species pair (although much like Eulemur cinereiceps and E. collaris, genetic evidence indicates they aren't actually sister species at all) its debatable how many pure animals of either taxon are floating around - as far as I've been able to determine, there are fewer pure animals in North America than there are in Europe, the pure animals seem to largely comprise ageing singletons, and just to muddy the waters further the hybrids often look like they include other Eulemur heritage beyond the two species in question. The one saving grace is that, both from my direct experience and second-hand communication, hybrids seldom take after a rufus parent - so if an animal looks like rufus, it generally *is* this species. The flipside of this, of course, is that when you have a rufus x rufifrons hybrid it can be difficult to tell them apart from a pure rufifrons!

As it happens, I believe that you've actually managed to use photographs showing both species in your post; the first image in your post (taken at Edmonton Valley Zoo) looks pretty good for true rufus, whilst the last image in your post was taken at a UK collection which I 100% know to keep pure rufifrons.

The upshot of all of this as far as you're concerned is the following:

1) There's a very high chance you've mostly seen hybrids, whether between the two species in question, or between rufifrons and another species.
2) It'll be very tricky determining whether you've potentially seen any pure rufifrons, given the fact you've not seen any Red-fronted/Rufous in European collections (and therefore my knowledge of what species are kept whereabouts won't be of any assistance)
2) Given the fact it looks like Edmonton Valley Zoo had at least one pure rufus at the time of your visit, there *is* a decent chance you have seen this species - although even here, it can't be guaranteed that you saw the individual photographed above given the fact it isn't your photograph.

Something to aim for on future European travels, perhaps!

 

[15399]

I've seen Crowned Lemurs at 10 zoos, a similar number to a range of other lemur species. It's fascinating to note that I've never seen Crowned Lemurs by themselves, as they have always shared an exhibit with one of their lemur peers.

1- Houston Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2010
2- Hattiesburg Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2012
3- Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2014
4- San Francisco Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2017
5- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2018
6- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
7- Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
8- NaturZoo Rheine (Germany) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
9- Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands) – Crowned Lemur – 2019
10- Oakland Zoo (USA) – Crowned Lemur – 2023

Crowned Lemurs are beautiful primates:

@Therabu

Houston Zoo (USA) has consistently held a large primate collection over the years, including Crowned Lemurs, Red-fronted Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs in this exhibit in 2010:

An obscure zoo in Mississippi, Hattiesburg Zoo (USA), had Crowned Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs all together in this exhibit in 2012:

Another obscure zoo, Chahinkapa Zoo (USA) in North Dakota, had Crowned Lemurs, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs together in this chain-link cage in 2014:

The Lipman Family Lemur Forest is one of the few highlights of San Francisco Zoo (USA), with a variety of lemurs including Crowned Lemurs in this exhibit.

@Hipporex

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (USA) has had a spectacular lemur collection since Expedition Madagascar opened in 2010, including Crowned Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs sharing this space at times:

@Dhole dude

ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) also has a nice lemur collection, including stunning Crowned Lemurs:

@KevinB

Crowned Lemurs seem to rarely get their own personal exhibit. At Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands), they have shared space with Ring-tailed Lemurs in the past.

@Jogy

There are a handful of different types of lemurs at NaturZoo Rheine (Germany), in a forested area as well as a spacious wooden cage. The list includes Crowned Lemurs, which I saw in 2019.

@RonBurrgundy

It's possible to rent a small boat and paddle around the lemur exhibit at Dierenpark Amersfoort (Netherlands). Crowned Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs share a forested space.

@KevinB

@Geert

And then there is Oakland Zoo (USA), with its exhibit of Crowned Lemurs, Blue-eyed Black Lemurs and Ring-tailed Lemurs set against a cliff face.

@Coelacanth18

Lemur List:

Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184 zoos

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs - 76 zoos

Red Ruffed Lemurs - 75 zoos

Black Lemurs - 14 zoos

Mongoose Lemurs - 12 zoos

Crowned Lemurs - 10 zoos

Blue-eyed Black Lemurs - 9 zoos

Collared Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Common Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

I suspect you might've missed Cleveland Metroparks Zoo here- I saw this species there in 2022, and looking at the ZooChat gallery they've kept the species since at least 2013, if not earlier.

On a side note, have you ever considered a visit to Duke Lemur Center? It appears to be one of the more prominent US facilities you haven't visited, and seeing as they have some of the best primate exhibits in the country, it certainly seems like a place you'd want to get to. I know personally it's near the top of my bucket list for facilities I want to visit, and the one primatologist I know who's visited has said nothing but great things.

 

[snowleopard]

Thanks for all the great comments over the last few days. It's wonderful to see so much interest (and helpful advice!) with this thread.

@Neil chace I visited Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2010 and I looked up my review from that summer's road trip and I made no mention of Crowned Lemurs. Also, there's no photos of the species from that time period, so I'm fairly certain those lemurs weren't in the collection when I was there. Close, but no cigar.

The closest I came to visiting Duke Lemur Center would have been either 2010 when I spent a day at the superb North Carolina Zoo, or in 2012 when I visited the trio of North Carolina aquariums all along the coast. Duke Lemur Center had very specific time slots for booking pre-paid appointments back then and it's much the same now. It's a pain to have to be at a zoo at an exact time, to see only a handful of species, when on a cross-country road trip and that's why I never did stop by. However, part of me regrets it now, just like I regret all the zoos and aquariums that slip through my grasp.

 

[Giant Eland]

Thanks for all the great comments over the last few days. It's wonderful to see so much interest (and helpful advice!) with this thread.

@Neil chace I visited Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2010 and I looked up my review from that summer's road trip and I made no mention of Crowned Lemurs. Also, there's no photos of the species from that time period, so I'm fairly certain those lemurs weren't in the collection when I was there. Close, but no cigar.

The closest I came to visiting Duke Lemur Center would have been either 2010 when I spent a day at the superb North Carolina Zoo, or in 2012 when I visited the trio of North Carolina aquariums all along the coast. Duke Lemur Center had very specific time slots for booking pre-paid appointments back then and it's much the same now. It's a pain to have to be at a zoo at an exact time, to see only a handful of species, when on a cross-country road trip and that's why I never did stop by. However, part of me regrets it now, just like I regret all the zoos and aquariums that slip through my grasp.

I had a similar experience on a 2006 zoo road-trip. I had called ahead of time to ask about seeing the final captive Diademed Sifaka outside of Madagascar. Whoever I spoke to made it sound near impossible to have behind the scenes access so I skipped the extra 7 hours of driving. Then in 2013 I took another zoo road-trip and didn't ask ahead about special access- showed up to the time spot I had booked and without much difficult I was allowed to see their Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur behind the scenes. Of course the Sifaka had already passed away. I always wondered if it would've worked out that easily had I just gone in 2006.

Nevertheless I got this nemesis species in Madagascar last year (along with 75 other lemur species!)

 

[snowleopard]

Next up are Red-bellied Lemurs at only 7 zoos. Here's a lemur species currently listed at 50+ zoos in Europe on Zootierliste, predominantly in France and the U.K., but is almost extinct in North American collections.

1- Palm Beach Zoo (USA) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2012
2- San Franciso Zoo (USA) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2017
3- ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2019
4- Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2019
5- Berlin Tierpark (Germany) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2019
6- NaturZoo Rheine (Germany) – Red-bellied Lemur – 2019
7- Parken Zoo (Sweden) - Red-bellied Lemur – 2022

Who can resist the eyes of a Red-bellied Lemur?

@Lafone

The very first time I ever saw Red-bellied Lemurs was in a mixed-species island exhibit with Ring-tailed Lemurs at Palm Beach Zoo (USA) in Florida in 2012. Back then, Palm Beach was zoo #167 for me.

San Francisco Zoo (USA) consistently has a half-dozen lemur species, including Red-bellied Lemurs, inside their Lipman Family Lemur Forest exhibit. It appears that they are one of, if not the very last, zoo in North America with these lemurs. How many are left?

@TheoV

ZooParc Overloon (Netherlands) opened a new Madagascar zone shortly before I visited in 2019, with this walk-through area containing Ring-tailed Lemurs, Crowned Lemurs and Red-bellied Lemurs:

@KevinB

Apenheul Primate Park (Netherlands) has kept Red-bellied Lemurs for many years:

@Orycteropus

Of course, Apenheul has many of its primates in walk-through exhibits, allowing visitors to occasionally get extremely close to the captive animals.

@Orycteropus

I've seen these fluffy little bundles of fur at Berlin Tierpark (Germany):

@Kaelio

This enclosure at the Tierpark held Red-bellied Lemurs, Red Ruffed Lemurs, Collared Lemurs and Radiated Tortoises as of last year:

@Gibbonsagainstgravity

With previous lemurs, I've shown the spacious outdoor environment that holds a half-dozen species at NaturZoo Rheine (Germany), but it's neat to also see the indoor holding area of the lemurs at that excellent mid-sized zoo. Notice the two overhead walkways in this photo, which allow the lemurs to go back and forth from their wood-dominated indoor house to their grassy forested habitat.

@RonBurrgundy

My last zoo with Red-bellied Lemurs was Parken Zoo (Sweden) in 2022:

A Red-bellied Lemur having a tasty treat:

@hjkr

Lemur List:

Ring-tailed Lemurs - 184 zoos

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs - 76 zoos

Red Ruffed Lemurs - 75 zoos

Black Lemurs - 14 zoos

Mongoose Lemurs - 12 zoos

Crowned Lemurs - 10 zoos

Red-fronted Lemurs - 10 zoos

Blue-eyed Black Lemurs - 9 zoos

Collared Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Common Brown Lemurs - 9 zoos

Red-bellied Lemurs - 7 zoos

 

[15399]

However, part of me regrets it now, just like I regret all the zoos and aquariums that slip through my grasp.

I think your next major road trip, whenever that may be, should head back to the Eastern United States! Lots of great facilities, both up and down the Eastern seaboard, which you either have never visited or have had major changes since your last visit!