This landmark new habitat will offer visitors an unforgettable opportunity to come face-to-face with some of the world’s most endangered primates in a cutting-edge, facility.
A Closer Look at Madagascar’s Lemurs
The new habitat will be home to three species of lemur, including the instantly recognisable ring-tailed lemur, alongside a variety of free-flying Madagascan bird species. Designed to replicate the lush, humid forest canopies of Madagascar, the habitat will provide a rich, multi-level environment where animals can move, explore, and behave as they would in the wild.
Guests will step directly into the lemurs’ world, observing these intelligent and inquisitive primates as they leap, climb, and interact around them.
A State of the Art Habitat
Lemurs of Madagascar represents a major leap forward in habitat design at Hertfordshire Zoo. The new space is four times larger than the Zoo’s existing lemur enclosure and more than double the height, reaching an impressive 10 metres at its highest point.
This expanded vertical space allows lemurs to fully utilise their natural agility, moving through a carefully designed canopy that supports climbing, leaping, and social behaviours. The habitat has been created with animal welfare at its core, offering greater choice, complexity, and enrichment for every resident.
Beyond its physical scale, the habitat will play a vital role in education and conservation. The immersive walk-through experience will enable the Zoo to better educate visitors about the serious threats facing Madagascar’s wildlife, while also expanding Hertfordshire Zoo’s involvement in important ex-situ breeding programmes for threatened lemur species.
A Strong Commitment to Conservation
The new space reinforces Hertfordshire Zoo’s long standing commitment to the protection of Madagascar’s unique wildlife. The Zoo is a proud supporter of SEED Madagascar, an organisation focused on habitat restoration and working alongside local communities to promote sustainable living.
In 2025 alone, Hertfordshire Zoo donated over £10,000 to SEED Madagascar, directly supporting efforts to protect lemurs and other endangered species in the wild.
Tyler Whitnall, Managing Director of Hertfordshire Zoo, said:
“We are incredibly excited to bring ‘Lemurs of Madagascar’ to our visitors in 2026. This habitat represents years of planning and a significant investment in animal welfare. By quadrupling the space available to our lemurs, we are giving them an environment where they can truly thrive. It also allows us to tell the story of Madagascar a unique place where wildlife is under immense pressure and highlight the vital conservation work we support through SEED Madagascar.”
