Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park refuge welcomes three baby lemurs

These twin baby ring-tailed lemurs are two of three lemurs recently born at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park in Crestview.

CRESTVIEW — Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park staffers are welcoming three baby ring-tailed lemurs, including twins, born last week.

Neither the baby lemurs' sex nor weight is known at this time, said Amanda Wilkerson, the refuge's executive director. There is no need for human intervention just yet, she said.

"The mothers are doing a great job on their own," Wilkerson said.

However, each lemur likely weighs around 1 ounce, she said.

The twins were born March 14 to Phoebe, while one baby lemur was born to Monica on Sunday,Wilkerson said, adding the females share names with characters from the TV sitcom "Friends." The babies have not received names just yet.

The zoo now has nine lemurs with these additions, she said. 

Lemurs are a popular attraction, Wilkerson said, and these babies are the first significant animals to be born at the former Sasquatch Zoo since the wildlife refuge took over management in 2012.

 "(Animal) babies are fun to have (at the zoo) and they are great for educational purposes," Wilkerson said. "Plus, who doesn't want to see a baby lemur?"

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park

WHEN: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; final admission time is 3 p.m.

WHERE: 5262 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview

COST: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-10.

CONTACT: 682-3949

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park refuge welcomes three baby lemurs