I've always loved visiting the zoo to see all the animals I couldn't possibly see in my own backyard. There are creatures big and small, and some that just look a little strange. But I enjoy every moment I spend there, especially if I get to catch a glimpse at the animal babies.
South Carolina's Riverbanks Zoo and Garden recently welcomed rare red-ruffed lemur triplets, but these little ones have quite the origin story.
In fact, their mom, 10-year-old Mena, wasn't even supposed to be able to conceive. She was given a contraceptive to prevent breeding (a common practice in zoos), but when she and her partner, Mahambo, started displaying odd behavior, keepers knew that something was amiss.
She even started gaining a little weight, and when they performed an ultrasound on her, they were shocked to discover that she was pregnant — and with twins, no less!
The zoo, ecstatic to welcome the new arrivals, started preparing for two new additions. But zookeepers couldn't have never anticipated what happened next: when Mena gave birth, they realized that they had been completely wrong about the babies.
She didn't just give birth to two babies, but to three — she had rare triplets!
The little ones are welcome additions, considering that the red-ruffed lemur is an endangered species.
Please SHARE to congratulate the new parents and the zoo on the adorable babies!
Photo source: Facebook/Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
