Lemur Love

Like many other foreigners, Madagascar natives are enjoying Florida's sunshine and warm temperatures, but these immigrants are more exotic-and adorable-than most. Lemurs, native only to the island nation of Madagascar on the far side of southern Africa, now live on several islands in the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and, a few hours to the north, in a multiacre enclosure at the Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) in Myakka City. They do pretty much what everyone in Southwest Florida does-sun, look for a good meal, groom themselves and each other, dance, chatter and cuddle.

Forty-some species of these fast-vanishing primates still survive in the wild. According to the LCF, lemurs are threatened in Madagascar due to hunting and deforestation on the island caused by development that destroys their natural habitat. One way to preserve the species is through captive breeding. Four species live at the Naples Zoo, and general curator Conrad Schmitt hopes to add more species of lemurs as they become available from other zoos. Most are kept on display on special islands, while others are part of the zoo's daily programs, running along railings, jumping and generally showing off their silky coats and long, fluffy tails.

In contrast, Myakka City's LCF is a research facility not open to the public. Conceived and established in 1996 by Penelope Bodry-Saunders, the facility provides access to free-ranging groups of lemurs for researchers from around the world studying lemur behavior. The forested habitat gives lemurs space and freedom to behave naturally, frolicking, fighting, feeding, vocalizing and breeding. But even in this relatively wild habitat, these lively creatures, who seem to have little fear of humans, enjoy contact with their keepers.

Lemurs are Prosimians-pre-monkeys. They occur naturally only in Madagascar, and all the lemurs in Southwest Florida were bred in captivity. Both the LCF and the zoo are deeply involved with research on lemurs and preservation of their native habitat in Madagascar as well as sharing their understanding of these charismatic creatures with visitors to the Naples Zoo and with researchers through the LCF Myakka City facility.

For more information, visit www.lemurreserve.org,

www.napleszoo.com or www.savethelemur.org.