Brash lemur can't wait for Christmas gifts

Ikala the lemur organises his own sun umbrella. Photo / Christine Cornege

The cockiest lemur at Hamilton Zoo is counting the days until Christmas.

Zoo staff have their bets on 3-year-old Ikala, a black and white ruffed lemur, shoving his two brothers and father out of the way to get to his Christmas presents first.

Yesterday, the bouncy animal was getting into the Christmas spirit by hanging a Santa hat on a pohutukawa branch to shade himself from the afternoon sun.

Hamilton Zoo keeper John Ray said the lemur had gained a reputation for being the boldest in the group.

"He demands respect, makes sure he's the first for food or to have a scratch."

Meanwhile two pygmy marmosets (the world's smallest monkey), Tinka, 11, and her 3-year-old son Salvador, arrived from Wellington Zoo last week to form part of a national breeding programme.

The small furry endangered primates, not much bigger than rats, have moved into the zoo's Parrot Court which they share with a group of plum-headed parakeets.

Mr Ray said the two species caused quite a racket on the marmosets' first day as they got to know each other - but the marmosets had now happily settled in.

And while staff expect the zoo's newest additions to get a lot of attention from visitors, Mr Ray said nine times out of 10, people said the lemurs were their favourites.

"They are very friendly, charismatic and have lots of personality."

Zoo staff are planning their own celebrations for the animals on Christmas Day as it is the only day of the year the front gates are kept shut.

Mr Ray said boxes with the lemurs' favourite treats - dried fruit - were being wrapped and they would also get a bit of fruit draped in tinsel.

Santa would be taking the other animals similar treats on Sunday.