THE LATEST arrivals at Wild Place Project in Easter Compton, two rare lemurs, are settling in to their new specially designed home.

Male and female Hebus and Ihosy, white-belted ruffed lemurs, have both come from France to their new home, which has been designed and built in partnership with Redrow Homes.

John Partridge, senior curator of animals said of the new arrivals: “They are very animated and our noisiest residents at Wild Place Project, who are often heard calling throughout the day.”

White-belted ruffed lemurs originate from eastern Madagascar and are critically endangered. They are threatened by habitat loss through logging, agriculture, mining and other developments in Madagascar.

The African island has one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet and more than 80 per cent of its forests have disappeared since the 1950s, leaving many species in danger of extinction.

John added: “We hope Hebus and Ihosy will go on to start a family. With only 40 of these lemurs in human care, every birth is important to the survival of the species.”

For more information about visiting Wild Place Project, visit the website at www.wildplace.org.uk or phone 0117 980 7175.