Madagascar comes to Atascadero with reimagined lemur habitat

By Camille DeVaul · Thu May 21 2026

Visitors can now see Red ruffed lemurs, Ring-tailed lemurs, Madagascar Teals, and Radiated tortoises in newly renovated exhibit

ATASCADERO — The newly reimagined Madagascar Habitat at the Central Coast Zoo is giving guests a closer look at some of the world’s most unique and endangered wildlife while also improving life behind the scenes for the animals that call it home.

The habitat officially reopened Friday, May 15, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a 16-month renovation project inspired by the biodiversity of Madagascar. The updated exhibit now features the return of critically endangered Red ruffed lemurs alongside the zoo’s longtime Ring-tailed lemurs, as well as endangered Madagascar Teals and an expanded Radiated tortoise habitat.

According to Zoo Director Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, the project originally began as a necessary upgrade to the aging lemur habitat before expanding into something much larger.

“This project started about 16 months ago due to the condition of the lemur habitat and facility,” Stringfield said. “It became a bigger project as we added on the Radiated tortoise yard.”

The improvements were designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but to create a more enriching environment for the animals themselves.

“We perched the lemur habitat all the way up to the top, which is new, in addition to all the new landscaping,” Stringfield said. “For the tortoises, they have more sun and more varied terrain to travel about in, as well as sprinklers to bathe in, which they are really enjoying. We re-did the entire back area, something the public doesn't see but something very important for the lemurs, in addition to connecting back area spaces so they have more room in the back.”

The updated habitat also includes new educational signage and Madagascar-themed landscaping installed by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Together, the additions aim to educate visitors about the fragile ecosystems found on the island nation off Africa’s southeastern coast.

One of the biggest highlights of the reopening was the return of the Red ruffed lemur, a species not seen at the zoo in more than a decade. Native to Madagascar, Red ruffed lemurs are listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting pressures in the wild.

Stringfield explained that the zoo’s accreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums helped guide the decision to bring the species back.

“As part of being an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoo, we approached the lemur SSPs (Species Survival Plans) for lemurs and told them we would have space for lemurs that could live with Ring-tailed lemurs and asked them who needed us the most,” she said. “It was the critically endangered Red ruffed lemurs.”

The new Red ruffed lemurs are Lisy, a 6-year-old female from a zoo in Illinois, and Borealis, a 2-year-old male from a zoo in Ohio.

“They were both born at the zoos they came from and are getting along great,” Stringfield said.

They now share the habitat area with Buddy and Banak, the zoo’s longtime Ring-tailed lemurs, both 22 years old.

“Buddy and Banak, both males, are our long-time Ring-tailed lemurs, they are 22 years old and the best of buddies,” Stringfield said. “They have lived with Red ruffeds before, but Lisy and Borealis have not lived with other species of lemurs before and are not too sure about them. We are taking it slow in having them live together, but that is the end goal.”

In addition to the habitat reopening, the zoo also introduced a Madagascar Tenrec to its educational outreach program. Though often mistaken for hedgehogs, tenrecs are more closely related to elephants, manatees, and aardvarks.

The project was also dedicated in memory of beloved zoo volunteer Brayden Bronkowski, whose legacy helped inspire fundraising efforts for the renovation. Bronkowski passed away suddenly six years ago after spending years volunteering at the zoo.

“This reimagined habitat represents an exciting step forward in our mission to connect our community with wildlife and conservation,” Stringfield said. “We are thrilled to share these incredible species and their stories with our guests.”