In the video, you can see one of the zookeepers, Shannon, feeding the lemurs some raisins. Raisins are a favorite treat for the lemurs and are reserved for special occasions. This video was taken on Monday, shortly after they got their birth control shots. The shots are required by the Species Survival Plan; the raisins are required by the lemurs.
Lemurs receive the same birth control medicine as humans, Depo-Prevara, but only a fraction of the dosage. Most primates receive birth control via an implant in their skin. However, lemurs' skin is so thin that the implant could easily get scratched out accidentally or groomed out. Injections of Depo is a widely used solution to this problem. Zookeepers catch them using nets and long leather gloves. This is the safest and least stressful method for both keeper and animal.
Like children getting some candy after a doctor visit, the ringtails get some raisins. Ara, seeing that others are getting something she's not, decides that she deserves some raisins too, shot or no. Even the mongoose lemurs, as timid as they are, got some treats. The SSP has been followed, the lemurs got their raisins, and the blog got a video. Doctor visit: success.
-Trent
**The information in this post was provided to me by Shannon Rives, a zookeeper at the Natural Science Center.
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