ATASCADERO — The Central Coast Zoo has a new star resident. Born on July 4, baby mongoose lemur Koba is now venturing into the habitat and is visible to zoo visitors.

Koba is named after a traditional peanut dessert from Madagascar, the species’ native home. The baby’s sex has not yet been determined, but zookeepers will know soon — male mongoose lemurs grow reddish-orange beards, while females remain white. At around five weeks old, young lemurs begin sampling solid foods such as fruit, flowers, and leaves. Koba is expected to be fully weaned by five to six months of age.

The new arrival joins older brother Ravi, born at the zoo last year as one of only three mongoose lemurs born in the United States at the time. Parents Ernesto and Camilla are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Mongoose Lemur Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps conserve this critically endangered species. Fewer than 2,000 mongoose lemurs remain in the wild, where habitat loss and hunting threaten survival.

The Central Coast Zoo focuses on animals from biodiversity hotspots — regions that cover only 2.5% of Earth’s land surface yet support nearly half of known species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Alongside Koba’s debut, the Zoo announced new hours beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2. The zoo will now be open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during non-holiday weeks. The schedule change will allow for more enrichment projects and habitat upgrades while minimizing disruptions to visitors.

Home to nearly 100 species and 300 animals — including red pandas, fossa, meerkats, parrots, monkeys, and reptiles — the Central Coast Zoo is located at Atascadero Lake Park on Hwy 41/Morro Road, one mile west of Hwy 101.

For more information, visit centralcoastzoo.org