Moody Gardens in Galveston announced the arrival of a new baby, and the cuteness overload features one of the more endangered primates in the world.
A male pygmy slow loris was born Aug. 18, weighing in at just 23 grams at the Rainforest Pyramid. The tiny baby was born to mother Cheddar and father Roach, officials with the park said in a Friday news release.
OVERRUN: Houston ranks among 10 U.S. cities with most rodent activity in new report from Terminix
“This is such an exciting event,” Paula Kolvig, assistant curator at Moody Gardens, said in the release. “We’ve been monitoring the baby closely and are pleased to see steady growth. As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, we’re proud to support the future of this incredible animal.”
Lorises are small, nocturnal primates native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Over the years, the species has faced threats from habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Officials with Moody Gardens called the birth an “important milestone in biodiversity and conservation awareness.”
While the baby is not yet on exhibit, officials said plans are underway to introduce the animal to the public in the coming weeks.
Established in 1986 by the Moody Foundation, Moody Gardens is a nonprofit attraction in Galveston that features the Aquarium Pyramid, the Rainforest Pyramid, and the Discovery Pyramid as its main attractions.