The Zoo welcomes two new lemurs critically endangered
It was a festive day in mid-April when Ziggy and Ripley arrived at the Zoo de Granby, two black-and-white ruffed lemurs joining the ranks of species housed at our beautiful institution. The male and female don’t know it yet, but they will be contributing together to the conservation efforts for their species — an initiative at the very heart of our mission and directly part of our "Mission Faune" initiative.
For now, the two are getting to know each other in the facilities designated for their quarantine period, since they arrived the same day but from two different zoological institutions! A cleverly coordinated effort by our teams, in partnership with Air Canada Cargo. Let’s meet our two new residents!
Ziggy and Ripley, ambassadors of a highly endangered species
Ziggy is a young male, soon to be five years old, who comes to us from the San Antonio Zoo in Texas, where he was born. Fun fact: he shares the exact same birthday as his new companion Ripley — May 12, 2020. However, they are not related!
Ripley was born at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina — a name that might sound familiar, as many scenes of the popular children's show Zoboomafoo were filmed there between 1999 and 2001.
The black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of the heaviest species of lemurs, weighing between 3 and 4.5 kg (6.5 to 10 lbs). These mammals are endemic to the island of Madagascar, meaning they are found nowhere else in the wild. This makes them extremely vulnerable to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, and climate change.
It is estimated that nearly 95% of lemur species are classified as anywhere from "vulnerable" to "critically endangered," the latter being the case for the black-and-white ruffed lemur. Ziggy and Ripley are the product of carefully managed breeding programs in zoological settings: their births were true celebrations, important steps in fighting back against the species' extinction. Now, it’s their turn to contribute to these efforts.
Conserving species, one birth at a time
With natural habitats under threat and extinction risks rising, the Zoo de Granby participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Wanting to increase its impact on protecting endangered wildlife, the Zoo volunteered to host a pair of black-and-white ruffed lemurs and contribute to the breeding program. It is a great honor — and a great responsibility — to be entrusted with these precious animals.
The SSP's goal is to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations in accredited zoological institutions to help reduce the risk of species extinction. Some individuals from these programs are even reintroduced into the wild, boosting the chances of species recovery in their natural habitats.
This type of initiative is vital to the health of our planet’s biodiversity and has already helped save species from extinction, such as Przewalski’s horse and the California condor, to name just two.
Patience is needed before meeting Ziggy and Ripley
Since their arrival in mid-April, Ziggy and Ripley will not be introduced to the public until mid-July. Canadian entry regulations are strict, requiring a 90-day quarantine as mandated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). During this period, our veterinary experts will carry out a full set of health tests to confirm the wellbeing of our two newcomers. These precautions are essential to avoid any risk of contamination to the Zoo's current residents, especially as Ziggy and Ripley will eventually be introduced to the ring-tailed lemurs already living here.
The good news is that the Zoo de Granby obtained a special exemption from the CFIA to allow the two lemurs, despite coming from different institutions, to complete their quarantine together — greatly reducing their stress. After all, quarantine is much easier with a friend!
Coordinating their arrival was a complex operation that started months in advance, requiring the acquisition of multiple certificates and permits, as well as organizing air transport from two different U.S. locations.
Thanks to Air Canada Cargo's collaboration, both lemurs touched down on the same day, just an hour apart — an impressive logistical achievement!
We can’t wait to introduce Ziggy and Ripley to our community and warmly welcome them to their new home!
