Halloween celebrations came early for Longleat’s playful lemurs last Friday as their keepers treated them to pumpkins to mark World Lemur Day.
The animals, known for their lively nature, eagerly explored and foraged through the seasonal surprises – an activity designed to encourage their natural behaviours and keep them engaged.
Ronnie, a ring-tailed lemur and one of the key members of the lemur family at Longleat, led the charge, bouncing from pumpkin to pumpkin with boundless curiosity. Head of Animal Operations, Darren Beasley, shared, “It’s always fantastic to see how the animals respond to seasonal enrichment. These experiences are not just for fun; they’re a valuable way of encouraging their natural instincts and keeping them active. Our lemurs loved exploring the pumpkins and finding bits of food hidden inside.”
In the wild, lemurs spend much of their day foraging for a variety of foods like leaves, plants, and fruits. At Longleat, introducing activities like pumpkin foraging gives them a new experience while still mirroring their natural behaviour. With visitors able to walk alongside them in the Lemur walk-through at Longleat’s African Village, guests can witness these agile animals up close, especially when they showcase their impressive climbing skills on rope swings and wooden walkways.
The name “lemur” comes from the Latin “lemures,” meaning “ghost” – a fitting name for these Madagascan natives, who often move with quiet, shadow-like elegance. Tragically, lemurs face severe challenges in their natural habitats, with deforestation, habitat loss, and hunting placing them at high risk. Days like World Lemur Day are a reminder of the need to protect these unique animals and the habitats they call home.
