 Jersey was the first place that the aye-aye was bred in captivity |
One of the world's most unusual and unique primates has left Jersey Zoo, bound for a new home in England. The aye-aye is being transferred to the West Midlands Safari Park as part of an international breeding programme.
Jersey Zoo has had six of the animals since founder Gerald Durrell brought them back from his last trip to their native Madagascar in 1990.
Like many of its lemur relatives, the aye-aye faces extinction due to the pressure of deforestation.
Breeding programme
The creature is the largest nocturnal primate in the world.
It has a long, coarse coat of black or brown fur which is tipped with white.
Aye-ayes have large eyes, surrounded by black rings and a distinctive long, slender middle finger with a long claw, used for extracting insects from tree holes.
Jersey Zoo says continued research in captivity and the expansion of the aye-aye breeding programme is important to maintain and strengthen the safety net population.
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