Safari Park offers special Father’s Day chance to share precious times with dad
Timmy the ring-tailed lemur is looking forward to his first Father’s Day at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
After a surprise arrival six weeks ago, Timmy is now the proud dad of Tahiry - a first baby for him and his partner Beru, who has never been pregnant in several years at the park.
To celebrate all dads - human and animal alike - the safari park is letting dads and grandads roam free on Father’s Day, if they’re accompanied by one paying child.
Lemurland keeper Fiona Carmichael described first-time dad Timmy as“very attentive and caring”as he won’t leave Beru’s side. Timmy can often be seen cuddling Beru and giving slobbery wet kisses to Tahiry, who rides on his Mum’s back.
Female ring-tails often let other females in the group assist with the early stages of parental care. However, dad Timmy is the only male who is allowed to get close to the baby until his son is at least three months old. This latest addition brings the troop to 10 ring-tail lemurs, which are kept alongside brown and red ruffed lemurs and other small animals at the zoo park.
Timmy (four) and Beru (11), became proud parents on May 8. Their son’s name Tahiry means“precious”in Malagasy.
To celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, Blair Drummond Safari Park is giving dads and grandads free entry. See the website for terms and conditions www.blairdrummond.com
At birth a ring-tailed lemur baby weighs less than 100g (3oz).The newborn is carried on its mother’s chest for one-two weeks and then is carried on her back. At two weeks the baby starts eating solid food and begins venturing out on its own. But the juvenile is not fully weaned until five months of age. In captivity, ring-tailed lemurs can live for nearly 30 years, compared to up to 20 in the wild.
The Stirling Observer has teamed up with Blair Drummond Safari Park to give away one family pass, worth almost £50, to a lucky reader every week.
Just answer this simple question: What does the name Tahiry mean?
Send your answer along with your name, address and telephone number, to Blair Drummond Competition, Stirling Observer, 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DW.
We will select a winner on Monday, and announce the winner in next week’s papers.
Last week’s lucky winner, who correctly told us that the white-tailed sea eagle was reintroduced to Scotland in 1975, is Ann Penman, of King Street, Fallin.