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Step inside the world of critically endangered ruffed lemurs during a supervised 15-minute encounter at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Yarralumla. Discover the unique behavior and conservation story of these captivating primates while hand-feeding and learning from expert keepers.
Step inside the world of critically endangered ruffed lemurs during a supervised 15-minute encounter at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Yarralumla. Discover the unique behavior and conservation story of these captivating primates while hand-feeding and learning from expert keepers.
Book with National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra
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Operated by National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra · Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory
Located in Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory, the National Zoo & Aquarium offers wildlife lovers a rare chance to step inside the world of one of Madagascar’s most charismatic primates with the Ruffed Lemur Encounter. This 15-minute interactive session lets visitors aged 10 and up get face-to-face with the Ruff Lemur Family in a closely supervised environment. It’s a unique blend of hands-on animal interaction and conservation education, making it a standout attraction in the Canberra region.
The ruffed lemur, with its striking black and white fur and expressive yellow eyes, is a standout among Madagascar’s diverse lemur species. Critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting pressures, these creatures play a vital role in their native rainforest ecosystem as seed dispersers. The National Zoo & Aquarium has created a carefully managed lemur enclosure designed to mimic the tropical forest floor, providing a naturalistic habitat that prioritizes the animals’ wellbeing.
During the encounter, guests get to hand-feed the lemurs under the guidance of expert keepers who provide fascinating insights into their behavior, diet, and the challenges they face in the wild. This immersive experience is not simply an animal meet-and-greet but a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness about conservation efforts protecting these extraordinary primates. The program fosters a deeper connection between visitors and wildlife, encouraging stewardship beyond the zoo visit.
Yarralumla’s National Zoo & Aquarium is distinctive in combining a traditional zoo atmosphere with a hands-on aquarium component, giving visitors an expansive view of diverse habitats and species in one spot. The Ruffed Lemur Encounter is one of the highlights within this multi-faceted wildlife center, offering a personal and educational experience that few facilities can match in the region.
Whether you’re visiting Canberra with family or are a passionate wildlife enthusiast, this encounter complements a broader exploration of Australian and exotic animals at the zoo. Apart from lemurs, the facility is home to native kangaroos, wallabies, crocodiles, and various marine species, allowing for a full day of discovery.
By choosing to book the Ruffed Lemur Encounter, guests not only create lasting memories but also contribute directly to the zoo’s conservation programs that support lemur populations both on-site and in their natural habitat. The straightforward 15-minute experience fits easily into a day’s itinerary, making it accessible for most travelers looking for an impactful wildlife adventure close to Canberra.
Guests must be aged 10 or older to participate in the encounter for safety reasons.
Yes, visitors can hand-feed the lemurs under careful supervision by zoo staff.
Photography is encouraged as long as flash is not used to avoid startling the animals.
The National Zoo & Aquarium offers wheelchair accessibility, but please contact them directly to discuss specific needs.
Encounters must be booked in advance online through the National Zoo & Aquarium’s official booking page.
The zoo contributes to lemur breeding programs and funds conservation projects in Madagascar to protect wild populations.
National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra is a combined zoo and aquarium located in Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory. The facility offers a wide range of animal encounters, conservation-focused tours, educational programs and family experiences. Visitors can choose from short, guided encounters—such as 15-minute sessions with sun bears, cheetahs or tigers—to longer interactive tours including family Wonders of Wildlife and full-day conservation experiences. The venue provides school-focused keeper-for-a-day programs for primary and high school students that teach animal care, feeding and enrichment skills in structured three‑hour and longer sessions. Birthday packages and private event options are available, including Adventureland and Safari Extravaganza birthday packages that combine guided animal interactions, activity packs and catering choices suited to groups and children. General admission grants access to exhibits spanning African savannah species, Asian carnivores, Australian native animals and aquatic displays, while specialised encounters let small groups meet animals like giraffes, rhinos, meerkats and ruffed lemurs under staff supervision. Conservation, animal welfare and education are central to the institution’s offerings. Keeper-guided experiences are led by trained staff and focus on species-specific care, enrichment and conservation messaging. Tickets, encounter bookings and school program details are published by the National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra and should be checked on official channels for current availability and age guidelines. The facility’s location in Canberra makes it accessible to visitors throughout the Australian Capital Territory and nearby regions. Encounter opportunities include named animals such as Arataki and Otay the sun bears and Solo the cheetah when available. Attendance depends on bookings.
Book with National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra