Youngsters at a Dudley school came face to face with one of the world’s rarest primates to launch an international fund-raising campaign.

Hardy, a red ruffed lemur, visited Wrens Nest Primary School along with staff from Dudley Zoo as part of a worldwide project to highlight the plight of Madagascar. 

The highly endangered species are native to the island and the visit coincided with Madagascar’s National Day.

Zoo chief executive, Peter Suddock, said: “Wrens Nest pupils have adopted two of our red ruffed lemurs so during the visit they were able to learn about their habitat and why conservation projects are so vital to these enigmatic creatures.”

Read the full story in the Express & Star.

Youngsters at a Dudley school came face to face with one of the world’s rarest primates to launch an international fund-raising campaign.

Hardy, a red ruffed lemur, visited Wrens Nest Primary School along with staff from Dudley Zoo as part of a worldwide project to highlight the plight of Madagascar. 

The highly endangered species are native to the island and the visit coincided with Madagascar’s National Day.

Zoo chief executive, Peter Suddock, said: “Wrens Nest pupils have adopted two of our red ruffed lemurs so during the visit they were able to learn about their habitat and why conservation projects are so vital to these enigmatic creatures.”

The visit also launched the zoo’s fundraising campaign and an interactive display at the Castle Hill site where staff have transformed a building into a miniature Indian Ocean island. 

The Tropical Birdhouse is now a mini Madagascar of two halves revealing a picturesque green idyll and also a habitat under threat from deforestation.

The exhibition also aims to raise awareness of the current plight of Madagascar.