Whose the daddy? Mystery over the father of lemur triplets born in Riverina zoo

A romantic scandal has enveloped a NSW zoo after a litter of newborn lemurs were born just two months into a captive breeding program.

A romantic scandal has enveloped a NSW zoo after a litter of newborn lemurs were born just two months into a captive breeding program.

Two black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Tsiky and Kintana, were paired at the Altina Wildlife Park in Wagga Wagga in October to boost the critically endangered species’ numbers.

But within months Kintana gave birth to triplets — two males and a female.

Tsiky is highly unlikely to be the father of the triplets, as the typical gestation period for the species is between three to four months.

Altina’s animal and operations manager Rebecca Surian admitted to news.com.au that they were “not 100 per cent sure who is the dad is”.

“We just know she has given birth well before we expected at Altina,” she said.

Ms Surian said the births were “very exciting” because the lemurs were endangered species so it was important they were born and healthy.

Kintana has recently given birth to triplets. Picture: Supplied

“We are thanking the lucky stars they are healthy, the fact she travelled when she was pregnant and there are no complications,” she said.

“We’re pretty sure she’s turned up pregnant — like we could pretty much put money on it.”

Altina and Darling Downs Zoo (where Kintana originated from) will compile a list of potential lemur dads before conducting genetic tests to determine the father.

Who is the mystery father? Picture: Supplied

The male babies are expected to eventually participate in the breeding program at different Australian zoos, while the female baby could be kept at the current zoo if she is found to have no relation to Tsiky.

Kintana gave birth to triplets — two males and a female. Picture: Supplied

Ms Surian said she was in awe of Kintana, describing her as “amazing”.

“Twins are normal but triplets are an extra bonus, especially as a first time mum,” she said proudly.

“Hopefully it is an indicator of what is to come.” 

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is the largest lemur species, which (in the wild) are only found on the small island of Madagascar.

They are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits and normally live in the middle to upper parts of the rainforests.

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered with the biggest threat in the wild being deforestation and poachers hunting them for their meat.