Lemurs join the Wellington Zoo family

Photo / supplied

If you want to experience a close encounter with a lemur, you can now skip a trip to Madagascar and go straight to Wellington Zoo.

From next week the zoo is offering a chance to personally meet its two new residents, a pair of male black-and-white ruffed lemurs.

Lucky, 17, and 3-year-old son Ankari recently travelled to Wellington from Hamilton Zoo after the two females at Wellington, Fi and Flavia, moved to Melbourne Zoo earlier this year.

"It's great to have Lucky and Ankari here at Wellington Zoo. They've settled in really well, and they both have lovely, gentle natures," Life Sciences manager Paul Horton said.

Visitors could now see Lucky and Ankari in their new home - a refurbished habitat with newly planted tropical trees and foliage to reflect their native Madagascan flora.

Zoo visitors would also have the opportunity to meet the primates up close in a new and intimate Close Encounter, from next Saturday, Mr Horton said.

"Having Lucky and Ankari here is a great opportunity to talk to visitors about these beautiful and fascinating animals, which are critically endangered as a result of hunting and deforestation.

Each session lasts for 30 minutes and is $95 per person.