Skip Navigation

Oh Baby! Riverbanks Celebrates Birth of Lemur Triplets

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2016

Zoo’s Nest Also Expands with a Flamingo Chick and a Koala Joey

[Columbia, SC] — Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is excited to announce the arrival of three red-ruffed lemur babies. The triplets are the first red-ruff lemurs to be born at the Zoo in more than 20 years.

The pint-sized primates (two males and one female) were born on June 30 to parents Mahambo and Mena. The little lemurs are the first offspring on record for the pair.

Dad, 11-year-old Mahambo, was born at Fresno Chaffe Zoo in Fresno, California and arrived at Riverbanks in October of 2008. Mom, 10-year-old Mena, was born at Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach, Florida and came to live at Riverbanks in March of 2011.

Riverbanks has been home to this species since December of 1988.The last red-ruffed lemurs to be born at the Zoo came in March of 1993. Guests can see these newest additions on exhibit daily in Riverbanks’ Conservation Outpost.

Guests visiting the Zoo can also check out the newest chick in town—a flamingo that hatched in June. The chick can be seen on exhibit daily with the entire flamingo flock at the Birdhouse at Riverbanks.

In addition, a koala joey was born at Riverbanks in October of last year and fully emerged from its mother’s pouch in May. Mom and joey are on exhibit daily in the Zoo’s Koala Knockabout.

Photos of Riverbanks’ newest animal additions are available here.