ZAGREB, 17 Nov (Hina) - The breeding of red ruffed lemurs, a critically endangered species according to the IUCN Red List, has begun in Latin America, and the founding pair consists of a female from the Zagreb Zoo and a male from the Olomouc Zoo in the Czech Republic, the Zagreb Zoo announced.

The young lemurs have arrived in Cotia, near São Paulo, Brazil, the Zagreb Zoo said.

According to mammal curator Dijana Beneta, the animals travelled well and are adapting to their new home. She expressed hope they would bond and support the breeding plan of the Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA).

Zoo Director Ivan Cizelj added that Zagreb was proud their lemur played such an important global role. He believes her strong genetics could help create a new lineage like that of her parents, Padme and John John, who are part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and have produced five offspring in seven years at the Zagreb Zoo.

Native to Madagascar's eastern rainforests, the red ruffed lemur is threatened mainly by habitat loss and poaching, with its population down 80% in two decades. Zagreb Zoo highlights the need for both wild conservation and breeding outside the natural habitat.