Welcome Sora and Kairi the black-and-white-ruffed lemurs

A pair of young brothers will soon begin a new adventure in Zoo Atlanta’s Living Treehouse. Zoo Atlanta is excited to welcome Sora and Kairi, two 2-year-old male black-and-white-ruffed lemurs, to the animal population. Sora and Kairi arrived in Atlanta on July 23, 2026, from the Central Park Zoo in New York. The duo has been recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) to join Luna, the female black-and-white-ruffed lemur at Zoo Atlanta.

Females are dominant in lemur societies and are at the core of all lemur social dynamics, so it is typical for a female lemur to have multiple male mates.

Of the more than 100 species of lemurs, all are found only on the island of Madagascar, where many are at risk of extinction. Black-and-white-ruffed lemurs are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their primary threats include habitat loss due to deforestation – a challenge facing a multitude of species on Madagascar, one of the planet’s most recognized hotspots of biodiversity – and illegal collection for the pet trade.

Sora and Kairi are not yet visible to Members and guests, as they will complete a routine behind-the-scenes quarantine period before exploring their Living Treehouse environment. The brothers will then have an opportunity to meet their counterpart, Luna, with eventual introductions to the other lemur species who call the habitat home, Julius and Neal the ringtailed lemurs and Sava and Xonsu the crowned lemurs. Animal introductions are gradual processes undertaken with great care based on social dynamics and the comfort levels of individual animals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sora and Kairi and look forward to their future at Zoo Atlanta. SSP recommendations such as theirs are vital to the long-term success and viability of animal populations in zoological care,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “And each time our Members and guests experience meeting an endangered species – especially a species as endangered as black-and-white-ruffed lemurs are – we have an opportunity to share more about the challenges facing that species’ counterparts in the wild, where our help is more needed than ever.”

The illegal pet trade is an emerging conservation crisis for numerous animal species worldwide. The journey of live animals from the wild to the hands of buyers often subjects wildlife to extraordinary suffering, and many do not survive the brutal conditions of capture and transport. While all animals deserve responsible care, the care of non-human primates is particularly specialized, making these animals deeply unsuitable as pets. Learn more about everyday actions and advocacy at AZA’s NotAPet.net.

Learn more about lemurs and plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

(Photos courtesy of Central Park Zoo)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org
404.624.5980

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. In April 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced that through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, two new giant pandas will be traveling to Atlanta. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.