Meet Stumpy, the Oldest Living Lemur

A true superstar of the animal kingdom, Stumpy recently made headlines by achieving the Guinness World Record as the oldest living lemur in captivity. His extraordinarily long life highlights the dedication of his animal care team, allowing Stumpy to continue serving as a vital ambassador for his species.

Stumpy’s Unforgettable Birthday

Stumpy, a ring-tailed lemur at Scotland’s Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, recently celebrated his 39th birthday, making him the oldest lemur ever recorded in captivity according to Guinness World Records! To mark this impressive milestone, Stumpy enjoyed a birthday party with his sons, Julian and Red. Zoo keeper Kathryn even made Stumpy a birthday cake from primate pellets, sweet potato, and other lemur delicacies.

As part of his birthday celebration, Stumpy was officially awarded the Guinness World Record for being the longest-living lemur in captivity. At 39, he surpassed Bella, a white-fronted brown lemur from the Isle of Wight Zoo, who was estimated to have lived to 38 years old.

Thriving at 39

This achievement is particularly remarkable considering the average lifespan of lemurs. In captivity, lemurs typically live between 20 and 25 years, while those in the wild usually live 16 to 19 years. Stumpy has exceeded these averages by more than a decade, a testament to the exceptional care he receives at the Five Sisters Zoo. His sons, Julian (21) and Red (20), are also quite old for lemurs, which highlights the success of the zoo’s welfare program.

Despite his advanced age, Stumpy is still full of life and personality. Although he has reduced eyesight and joint stiffness, which require daily arthritis medication, Stumpy is otherwise fit and healthy, and he remains an engaging and beloved resident of the zoo.
He is known for his sweet disposition and enjoys relaxing in the sun, as well as indulging in his favorite treats: fresh sweet potato and willow browse.

Stumpy’s Enduring Legacy

Born on June 15, 1986, in Surrey, UK, Stumpy the lemur has led an extraordinary life. Stumpy came to the Five Sisters Zoo when it first opened in 2005 and has been a favorite of both staff and visitors ever since. During his two decades in Scotland, Stumpy has become a remarkable ambassador for his species. His impressive longevity also serves as an example of the dedication and meticulous care provided by the zoo’s animal team.

Stumpy is also quite the patriarch. He has fathered 11 children, including his sons Red and Julian, who recently celebrated Stumpy’s 39th birthday with him. His legacy also includes 25 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and even one great-great-granddaughter. According to Guinness World Records, Stumpy’s six great-grandchildren all live at the Attica Zoo in Greece.

A Look at Stumpy’s Species

Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are native to the southern and southwestern parts of Madagascar, where they live in forests and scrubland areas. Their distinctive name comes from the thirteen alternating black and white bands on their long, fluffy tails. The rest of their bodies are a mix of gray, brownish, and white, with striking, dark, triangular patches around their eyes and snouts. Although these highly social animals are excellent climbers, they spend about 40 percent of their time on the ground, walking on all fours with their tails held high like a flag.

Sadly, ring-tailed lemurs are an endangered species. Their biggest threats are habitat loss and destruction, which are severely fragmenting their populations. In some areas, they also face dangers from poaching and the exotic pet trade.

This is why Stumpy and his family’s story is especially important. Their presence at the Five Sisters Zoo helps educate thousands of visitors about these amazing animals and highlights the crucial need for their conservation. By learning about and engaging with Stumpy, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing lemurs in the wild and the vital work required to protect them.

In its work to protect lemurs, the Five Sisters Zoo has also teamed up with SEED Madagascar. This charity focuses on safeguarding wild lemur populations and their natural habitats. Their joint efforts include fundraising for Project Ala, a project designed to reconnect fragmented forest areas where lemurs live in southern Madagascar. Additionally, the zoo uses positive interactions, such as its “Lemur Experience” program, to educate the public and encourage direct conservation actions that benefit lemurs across Madagascar.