Summary:
1. Introduction to Cardinal, a 28-year-old red-fronted lemur at the DLC.
2. Cardinal’s experience as a free-ranger in a natural habitat enclosure.
3. Cardinal’s role as an “uncle” to Randy and Sophia’s daughters.
4. Cardinal’s position as the third oldest lemur currently free-ranging at the DLC.
Just showing some love for our handsome Cardinal ❤️
At the Duke Lemur Center (DLC), we are fortunate to have remarkable lemurs in our care. One such lemur is Cardinal, a 28-year-old red-fronted lemur who has captured the hearts of both our staff and visitors alike. With his stunning red fur and expressive amber eyes, Cardinal is undeniably handsome. But it’s not just his looks that make him special. Today, we want to take the time to appreciate and celebrate Cardinal’s unique and fascinating aspects.
Cardinal’s journey at the DLC has been an incredible one. Despite his age, he is still an active and adventurous lemur who spends most of his time in one of our largest natural habitat enclosures. This allows him to experience the freedom and challenges of living in a forest-like environment. Seeing how Cardinal has adapted to this environment and continues to thrive is truly inspiring.
One of the most endearing aspects of Cardinal’s personality is his role as an “uncle” to Randy and Sophia’s daughters. Randy and Sophia, two of our beloved ring-tailed lemurs, have become parents to three adorable little ones. And Cardinal has taken it upon himself to be the fun-loving uncle to these youngsters. He engages in playful antics and encourages the young lemurs to explore their surroundings. It’s heartwarming to witness the bond between them and the joy they bring to each other’s lives.
But Cardinal’s age and status as an “uncle” also make him unique. He is currently the third oldest lemur at the DLC, still free-ranging. Aracus, a 32-year-old ring-tailed lemur, holds the record as the oldest, and Licinius, a 30-year-old ring-tailed lemur, follows closely behind. Cardinal’s longevity and vibrant spirit testify to our commitment to providing the best care possible for all our lemurs.
We would be remiss not to mention the incredible photographs that capture Cardinal in all his glory. A talented photographer, David Haring, has expertly captured Cardinal’s essence in one of the images featured in this article. The vibrancy of his red fur against the lush green background is truly stunning. Another beautiful photograph, taken by @doggiephotographer, showcases Cardinal in a relaxed and content state, basking in the sunlight. These photographs serve as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the natural world and the important role we play in preserving it.
In conclusion, Cardinal is a truly exceptional lemur who has touched the hearts of everyone at the DLC. His age, resilience in a natural habitat enclosure, role as an “uncle,” and position as one of the oldest lemurs in our care make him remarkable. We are grateful to have him as part of our lemur family and to witness his continued growth and happiness. Let’s continue showing our love and appreciation for our handsome Cardinal ❤️.
(Note: The information provided in this article is accurate as of the time of writing and is subject to change as new research and developments emerge in zoology and lemur care.)
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Source Description
Just showing some love for our handsome Cardinal ❤️
At 28 years old, the red-fronted lemur Cardinal is one of the oldest residents of the DLC. Despite his age, Cardinal is a fantastic free-ranger, as he has spent most of his life in the forest in one of our largest natural habitat enclosures. He has no trouble keeping up with his ring-tailed adopted family and is a great uncle (fun uncle 😜) to Randy and Sophia’s daughters 🍁
Fun fact: Cardinal is the third oldest lemur currently free-ranging at the DLC, after ring-tailed lemurs Aracus (32) and Licinius (30)!
📸: David Haring (first); @doggiephotographer (second)
