Vienna, Austria - April 17, 2025 Visitors to Vienna Zoo received an Easter surprise with the arrival of a young ring-tailed lemur at the Monkey Island exhibit. The baby lemur can be seen curiously observing its surroundings from its mother's back. Zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck explained that young lemurs are carried and suckled by their mothers for around six months. "This year's offspring are already very active," Dr. Hering-Hagenbeck said. "They are climbing and nibbling on buds under their mother's watchful eye." Other females in the group also help care for the young by grooming them. Ring-tailed lemurs live in a matriarchy, meaning that females lead the group. A dominant female heads the group, and other members establish their own hierarchy through social interactions. Visitors with patience can watch the fascinating group dynamics among the lemurs at the zoo. With the arrival of spring, the ring-tailed lemurs’ favorite pastime has also returned. In the mornings, the animals sit upright on their hind legs, stretch out their front legs, and enjoy sunbathing. However, life for ring-tailed lemurs in the wild is not as bright. They are found only on Madagascar, where their natural habitat is rapidly disappearing. Zoological curator Dr. Folko Balfanz explained that forests are being cleared to create pastures, putting the species at serious risk. Ring-tailed lemurs are now considered critically endangered, and their habitat is restricted to isolated forest fragments. It is feared that their population will continue to decline unless strong conservation efforts are made. Visitors interested in learning more about ring-tailed lemurs can book a guided tour and feeding session through an experience voucher offered by the zoo.