’Lemurs of Madagascar’ - the Curraghs Wildlife Park’s £120,000 new attraction - has been officially opened.

The new enclosure is home to five lemur species, all of which are endangered or critically endangered.

General manager Kathleen Graham said: ’We have created a little slice of Madagascar in the Isle of Man and it’s a great day for the lemurs, our staff and our visitors.

’In the wild many lemur species have seen their numbers plummet by as much as 90% in the last decade due to hunting and habitat loss and all species are endangered or critically endangered.’

The enclosure has been planted to imitate the lemurs’ homeland and will allow visitors to walk into it and see them at rest and play.

Funding for the £120,000 attraction has come from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s minor capital works budget.

There was tragedy in April last year when a fire completely destroyed a new enclosure that was to form part of the new Lemurs of Madagascar attraction.

The fire claimed the lives of two juvenile gentle lemurs.

Fire chiefs established that a faulty electric component was to blame.

Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who is patron of the Supporters of the Curraghs Wildlife Park, cut the ribbon to open the new attraction.

He said: ’I am sure visitors will enjoy seeing the lemurs at close quarters and I hope the experience will encourage greater interest in their conservation back in Madagascar.’

Along with ring-tailed lemurs, the enclosure is home to both red and black and white ruffed lemurs, Aloatron gentle lemurs and a red-fronted lemur.

DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK said: ’A great amount of work has been undertaken by the Supporters of the Curraghs Wildlife Park to ensure the lemurs have a fantastic new home.’