Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 5, 1 May 1988 — Waimea Falls Park Greets New Lemurs [ARTICLE]

Waimea Falls Park Greets New Lemurs

Waimea Falls Park recently welcomed the arrival of two baby ring-tailed lemurs, increasing its population to six. They may be seen from 10 a. m. to 5:30 p. m. daily. Lemurs, indigenous to the island of Madagascar, are primates but are considered lower on the evolutionary scale than monkeys. Though fossil evidence suggests that lemurs were onee widespread, they are now isolated to that island. Due to the destruction of their native habitat and hunting, lemurs are now classified as endangered. lf current trends continue, it is believed that they will disappear from the wild within the next century. Many scientists believe the lemur's only ehanee for survival is in captive breeding programs. They may some day be reintroduced into secured preserves on the island of Madagascar. Waimea's lemur population now resides in a large specially designed enclosure furnished with trees and located in the park's wildlife display area. Hawaii's climate appears to be similar enough to their native Madagascar to nurture a thriving eommunity. The gentle, gregarious creatures are most active in the eool hours of the day. That is when the 6-ounee babies ean be seen bouncing from branch to branch or playing with their mother. -