A baby ring-tailed lemur at Taronga Western Plains Zoo is starting to explore independently after clinging to her mother's chest for her first few weeks of life.
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Born on August 25, Keepers have named the zoo's new addition Imerina after one of the old kingdoms of Madagascar.
The birth comes three years after three female lemurs arrived from Italy to start a breeding program.
"It's wonderful to have a successful breeding season and a healthy baby on the ground," keeper Sasha Brook said.
"Imerina is a string baby and first time mother Rikitra is doing all the right things, nursing and grooming her baby well, which is great to see."
Ms Brook said the little lemur has started to climb on her own and mouth solid foods.
"Rikitra is never more than one to two metres away, keeping a watchful eye on her offspring and rescuing her from any pickles she gets herself into.
"Imerina is also starting to jump on her father Bruce's back. Bruce is an experience father so he's taking things in his stride."
Keepers have separated the family away from the group's two other females to give them time to bond and to prevent interference.
"The family is currently alternating access to their island exhibit with the two females and during the day they have access to their night yards so they can choose to go where they feel most comfortable," Ms Brook said.
"In time we will introduce the two females back to the group as it's important to keep the group cohesive."
When Imerina grows up she will play a vital role in the ring-tailed lemur breeding program. Lemurs are endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction.
