Lemur found in backyard finds home at Sacramento zoo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A lemur spotted wandering in a backyard in Turlock has found a temporary home at the Sacramento zoo.

Zoo officials said there is no evidence the lemur had escaped from a zoo or sanctuary and that leads them to believe the ring-tailed lemur was part of the illegal animal trade, the Sacramento Bee reported Saturday.

“Nobody in the area who is supposed to have a lemur is missing a lemur,” said Tonja Candelaria, a zoo spokeswoman. “We are assuming that someone illegally purchased this lemur, had him at their house and he escaped or was let loose.”

The lemur was found in December by a Turlock resident who called authorities.

The animal’s behavior shows he hasn’t lived with other lemurs, more proof that he is a product of the illegal pet trade, zoo officials said.

“He doesn’t understand normal lemur social skills,” Candelaria said.

The lemur will have to eventually go to a place where he can learn those skills, she said.

“We must find a place that knows how to help him learn those skills so that he can live with a troop of other lemurs,” she said.

The zoo does have black and white ruffed lemurs and mongoose lemurs. For the time-being, their solitary striped-tailed cousin is on display near them.

Lemurs are native to Madagascar off the coast of Africa.