Critically Endangered Blue-Eyed Lemur Born at Florida Zoo

A zoo in Florida welcomes the birth of an adorable blue-eyed black lemur, one of the world’s most critically endangered primates. Announced on Facebook by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the primate is said to be the second-ever blue-eyed black lemur to be born at the facility. The lemur will stay in a private area to be cared for by its parents until it is old enough to integrate with the other lemurs in the group.

Blue-eyed black lemurs are some of the most threatened primates in the world. The lemurs are classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of at-risk species. Blue-eyed black lemurs have been named among the 25 most threatened primates on Earth. Their population numbers have dropped 80% over the past three generations or 24 years. Scientists estimate that there will be an 88% reduction in the lemurs' range from 2000 to 2080 due to climate change alone.