Another stunning habitat at this world class zoo, and the only downside is that at times it is impossible to see the lemurs as they are either indoors or far out of reach in the branches of the large trees.
Another stunning habitat at this world class zoo, and the only downside is that at times it is impossible to see the lemurs as they are either indoors or far out of reach in the branches of the large trees.
I agree with you Cat-Man. The two huge trees with dark trunks are not hotwired at all, and so the lemurs can climb to incredible heights. This is perhaps the best outdoor lemur exhibit I've ever seen.
I agree with you Cat-Man. The two huge trees with dark trunks are not hotwired at all, and so the lemurs can climb to incredible heights. This is perhaps the best outdoor lemur exhibit I've ever seen.
I agree with you Cat-Man. The two huge trees with dark trunks are not hotwired at all, and so the lemurs can climb to incredible heights. This is perhaps the best outdoor lemur exhibit I've ever seen.
@Ituri: the DeBrazza escape has been humorous to read about, and I believe that the pair of monkeys (that have been kept off exhibit for some time now) are in the exhibit directly next to the red ruffed lemurs. There used to be duikers in that enclosure, and perhaps there still are, but I'm sure the zoo will trim some branches or do whatever is necessary to prevent a further monkey escapade.
The WPZ DeBrazza exhibit for many years was home to Celebes macaques, who escaped so frequently that the zoo would have lost major attendance if it had "locked down" every time they got out. I'm told they would raid the trash bins next to the old Primate House (behind the exhibit) and then return to their habitat on their own. It's a beautiful exhibit, but in no way designed to securely contain small primates. It's sad that our paranoia and concern about lawsuits has gotten to the point where one or little monkeys taking a walk is treated like a major Biosecurity threat.
The zoo has no plans to add any more primates to the lemur/duiker islands, as the threat of an escape would undoubtedly unleash a series of lawsuits in Seattle. There's nothing like someone threatening to sue a zoo to create a headline in a national newspaper, and the red ruffed lemurs are fine in this brilliant habitat all by themselves. However, the duiker exhibit could use some primates to liven up proceedings, as the tiny antelope can be extremely difficult to locate.
