Spring is in the air at Monarto Safari Park with exciting new arrivals for both the American Bison and Ring-tailed lemurs!
Two American Bison calf were born this month bringing the herd numbers to 13.
Erika, who turns three-years-old tomorrow, received an early birthday present welcoming her female, yet-to-be named calf on November 16.
She joined four-year-old bison, Rose, who welcomed little Molly on November 12.
Keeper, Jeff Lewis, said both bison have been excellent mums and the herd has been very interested in their new additions.
“They have all been very sweet with them,” he said. “Both mums have been great from the start, as soon as Molly was born Rose was licking and cleaning her, shooing the others away.”
“The calves have been very playful and they are quite confident already.”
Both calves were fathered by Derek.
American Bison was the first species to arrive at Monarto Safari Park in 1983. The group range in age from under a year to approximately 30 years.
You can see the American Bison calves using the Monarto Safari Park Zu-loop bus.
Across the park, the Ring-tailed Lemurs have welcomed three new pups to their conspiracy. Baby lemurs are called pups. They generally cling to their mother’s belly during their first three to four weeks of life and will then ride on her back until they are around four-months-old.
Debbie and Lilo gave birth one day apart, with Lilo welcoming twins. The little bundles of joy were born two months ago and add to the family clan who arrived together from Australia Zoo in August, 2020.
Keeper, Amy Nelson, said the group also includes Debbie’s mother, Blossom, who has enjoyed her newfound Grandma status helping out with the little ones.
“It’s been very heart-warming because the pups have really brought the group together,” she said.
“They’ve all been looking after the pups and taking it in turns sharing the motherly duties.”
Over the past few weeks, the pups have begun to adventure more and they love to play in the trees of the new exhibit space.
The walk-through lemur habitat, currently off-limits for the public, is part of Monarto Safari Park’s Wild Africa development and is expected to open before the end of 2022.
The development will include a range of wild safari experiences including open-sided vehicle tours through herds of roaming animals and a luxury hotel developed by private investor, Gerry Ryan.
Ring-tailed Lemurs inhabit the south-west corner of Madagascar in a variety of habitats ranging from deciduous forest to scrubby and rocky areas.
Ring-tailed Lemurs get their name from the black and white banded tail, which is usually around 60cm long. Their tail acts as a counter-balance when jumping from tree to tree.
Ring-tailed Lemurs are classified as endangered with habitat loss and poaching the biggest threat to the wild population. Their habitat is already restricted in southern Madagascar and continues to diminish due to annual burning practices that help create new pasture land for livestock, over-grazing by livestock, and the felling of trees for charcoal production.
From Wednesday 1 December 2021, visitors aged 16 and older who choose to come to Adelaide Zoo or Monarto Safari Park will be required to show evidence that they have been fully vaccinated (or are exempt from vaccination by order of the Chief Public Health Officer). For more information please visit, www.zoossa.com.au/covid-19/.
The total number of visitors at both Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park are still limited so we advise all visitors, including members, to book online at adelaidezoo.com.au/tickets and monartosafari.com.au/tickets.
