BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Zoo today announced the birth of a Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). This marks the first birth of a sifaka at the Zoo since the endangered lemur species returned to its collection in 2023.
The as yet unnamed lemur was born to first-time father, Terence, and 14 year-old mother, Arcadia. Arcadia is an experienced mom who was recommended to breed with Terence by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Sifaka Species Survival Plan – a population management initiative to grow the population and maintain its genetic diversity.
Maryland Zoo keepers who work with primates will name the baby in the coming days.
Sifaka, which is pronounced “shi-FOCK,” are named after their distinctive alarm call. They have a unique brown and white coloration and are distinguished from other lemurs by the way that they move, maintaining a very upright posture and using their back legs to leap through the treetops. They can easily leap more than 20 feet in a single bound. On the ground, they spring sideways off their back feet to cover distance while holding their forelimbs out for balance.
Coquerel’s sifaka are native only to the island of Madagascar off the southeastern coast of Africa. They spend most of their lives in the treetops in two protected areas in the sparse dry, deciduous forests on the northwestern side of the island. As with many species of lemur, Coquerel’s sifaka are endangered. Habitat loss due to deforestation is the leading threat to the species.
Click image for full size slideshow
Share this article