GULF SHORES — The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo announced the birth of an endangered ring-tailed lemur Friday, June 2. Born April 8, the ring-tailed lemur is the first one to be born at the zoo in eight years and the first born at the zoo’s new location.

Keepers have named the new ring-tailed lemur Carrot, to pay homage to its birthdate on Easter. Carrot was born on the zoo’s Ring-tailed Lemur Island to mom Pepper. Pepper is an experienced mom and is doing a great job taking care of Carrot.

“We are so excited to welcome the birth of this lemur here at the zoo. It is doing very well and developing quickly,” said the zoo’s executive director Joel Hamilton. “This birth allows us to play an important role as a zoo and animal care team as we continue to learn more about the survival of this endangered lemur species.”

Carrot can be seen clinging to its mother’s back moving about the island, frequently nursing and grooming. Over the next few months, Carrot will begin spending more time on its own, exploring Ring-tailed Lemur Island and the rest of the troop (a group of lemurs). Carrot will stay close to mom to nurse or sleep, until around 5 to 6 months of age when weaning occurs.

There are more than 100 species of lemurs, all native to the island of Madagascar, and all are considered threatened or endangered. Ring-tailed lemurs are easily identified by the black and white bands around their tails, woolly fur and big eyes. Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, primarily due to habitat destruction, hunting and illegal wildlife trade.

You can observe all the ring-tailed lemurs on the Island daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Learn more at alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.