Conservation charity defies odds with rare lemur quadruplets

Shaldon Wildlife Trust is celebrating an extraordinary "baby boom" following the birth of four critically endangered red-ruffed lemurs. The quadruplets, born on May 4th to mother Eka and father Nero, represent a significant milestone for the small Devon-based charity and for the European breeding programme.

While twins are common for this species, quadruplets are an incredible rarity, occurring in fewer than 6% of births worldwide.

Despite being one of the UK's smaller wildlife charities, Shaldon is known for punching well above its weight on the international stage. These newborns are part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) breeding programme, a vital Europe-wide effort to ensure the survival of red-ruffed lemurs, which are only found in a small area in the Northeast of Madagascar. Alongside being part of the breeding programme, Shaldon Wildlife Trust directly supports the protection of these animals in the wild through their field conservation partner, the Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL).

The news comes on the heels of the Trust being featured in National Geographic as one of the top zoos globally dedicated to conservation, further cementing the small zoo’s role in global wildlife preservation.

The four youngsters are already keeping mom, Eka, very busy. Visitors to the Trust may soon be able to catch a glimpse of the youngsters as they become more active in their habitat.

"To have four healthy infants at once is a real testament to the care our team provides," says Zak Showell, Director, "We’ve had a lot of excitement recently with the National Geographic coverage, but there is nothing quite like the arrival of 'quads' to remind us why we do what we do. It’s a huge win for the species and a proud moment for Shaldon."