One Minnesota Zoo Just Welcomed A Pair Of Animals Few Have Ever Seen

The Lake Superior Zoo is celebrating the end of the year with the birth of a rare endangered species. With only about 50 of these animals in 20 Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoos, the birth of even one would be exciting news. In this case, the Northern Minnesota zoo welcomed something even more special. Twins were born.

Rare Twins Arrive At The Duluth Zoo

The twin pygmy slow lorises, one of the smallest primates and roughly the size of a squirrel, are known for their large expressive eyes and dense soft fur. They were born to parents Colby and Georgio on November 17 at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth.

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This is not the pair's first set of twins. They successfully raised their first set in 2022, although their following two sets did not survive the early weeks of life. The zoo notes that early loss is an unfortunately common challenge for this endangered species.

How The Twins Were Discovered

The new twins were discovered early in the morning by an animal care specialist. The Lake Superior Zoo care team has been working closely with the AZA and the Species Survival Plan to make sure the newborns receive the best care possible.

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Lake Superior Zoo Keeper Micayla said in a press release, "They are steadily gaining weight and reaching developmental milestones like exploring the habitat on their own (which is so exciting but also so scary. I imagine that’s how parents of human children feel too).”

Why The Birth Matters For The Species

Pygmy slow lorises are native to Vietnam, Laos, eastern Cambodia, and China. They are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Habitat loss, hunting associated with traditional medical practices, and illegal wildlife trade continue to threaten the species in the wild.

Visitors can see the slow lorises during the Zoo’s regular daily hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Lake Superior Zoo says the care team will continue to monitor the twins closely and will share more updates as they grow.