Southern Lesser Galagos are rarely bred. Prague Zoo keeps the European Studbook of them. Photo: Tomáš Adamec, Prague Zoo

Prague zoo has managed to obtain two females of Southern Lesser Galagos  from New York. The transportation, which is important for the entire European breeding of these cute primates, was until the last moment endangered by the strong freeze in the USA.

Two breeding couples

“We received two females of Southern Lesser Galago from Bronx Zoo after nearly a year of negotiation. Their arrival was endangered until the last moment by extreme weather in United States, which threatened to bring all the effort to naught,“ said the curator of the mammals  and the administrator of the European Studbook of Southern Lesser Galagos, Pavel Brandl. “In the end, both females arrived in a good shape and we strongly believe that thanks to them we will be able to form two new breeding couples.“

Galagos moved to "Africa from Near" Pavilion

The co-ordinator of the North-American breeding contacted Prague Zoo in order to secure “new blood“ for their breeding programme. This resulted in a Czech-American exchange, which is very important for the small population in zoological gardens on both continents. Galagos can be seen in the "Africa from Near" Pavilion in Prague Zoo, where they share the exposition with Hyraxes and Brush-tailed Porcupines.

Where are they from?

In the wild, Southern Lesser Galagos live in the dry areas of Namibia, Botswana and other countries. They are frequently found on acacias whose sap they like to consume. They live in family groups of up to seven members, which communicate with each other by calling, which remain crying babies. This is why these animals are also called bushbabies – babies from the bush. Prague Zoo  also maintains the European Studbook of Senegal Galagos and is  counted among the most successful zoos in world in their breeding.