Surprising new addition to the Dresden lemurs

Surprise for the care team: On April 15, a crowned lemur at Dresden Zoo gave birth. According to Dresden Zoo, there was no outward sign that she was pregnant. An increased body weight was initially interpreted as being slightly overweight.

"The cub was born without complications, and mother Amalia has been looking after her offspring very attentively so far," said the zoo. The tiny crowned lemur cubs themselves usually weigh between 60 and 70 grams at birth. Pictures show the offspring clinging to its mother and snuggling up tightly in her fur.

Probable father of the cub dead

The birth was also surprising because the female had only come to Dresden from a zoo in Poland on February 9 after her partner male had died in Poland at the beginning of the year. Considering a gestation period of around 125 days, according to the zoo, the deceased animal is likely to be the father of the now born Maki.

Threatened species

However, the new male partner in Dresden appears calm and relaxed when interacting with mother and offspring. The female gets on well with the male. "Since the first day they met, the two have been inseparable and very harmonious," said the zoo.

The zoo sees the birth as a breeding success. It gives hope for the critically endangered crowned lemurs. The animals, which belong to the lemur family and are about the size of a cat, are found in the wild in the island state of Madagascar.