A WILDLIFE PARK in the Cotswolds has successfully bred one of the most endangered lemurs in Madagascar.

The as-yet-unsexed and unnamed youngster was born to breeding male Raphael and female Bijou at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens near Burford in Oxford.

The attraction is the only zoological collection in the UK - plus just one of two globally - to have bred the greater bamboo lemur species this year.

Births of the greater bamboo lemur in captivity are rare.

Just 36 greater bamboo lemurs are in captivity worldwide, and they are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Only seven other zoological collections in the world keep greater bamboo lemurs.

Both Raphael and Bijou are part of a European Breeding Programme, and this is the fourth year running that the park has managed to breed these primates.

The new arrival can be seen exploring its enclosure inside the lemur exhibit Madagascar.

Jamie Craig, general manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: “Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat-destruction and the rapidly-rising human population.

“It is vital that we raise awareness for this unique group of primates before it is too late.

“At Cotswold Wildlife Park, we are committed to conserving this species, and we fund an extremely important site in Madagascar, as well as participating in several other conservation projects with the Cotswold Wildlife Park Conservation Trust.

“We are extremely privileged to keep both of these species at the park.

“They are extremely rare in captivity and they are fantastic ambassadors for our fundraising efforts.”