An Early Start to the 2025 Baby Season
Arcadius, one month old, clinging to mom Gisela’s belly. Photo by David Haring.
13-year-old Coquerel’s sifaka Gisela has always been a go-getter. Gisela is the daughter of Jovian, the famous sifaka who played Zoboomafoo in the eponymous TV show. She has lived with her breeding partner, 15-year-old Rupert, for just over a decade, and she’s one of the most dominant females in our colony. From snacks to sleep spots, Gisela has never been shy and will always go for the things she wants. It was no surprise to the Duke Lemur Center staff that Gisela was the first sifaka to get pregnant this year, at the very beginning of breeding season, and she gave birth on October 16, 2024, to a healthy baby boy.
Fun fact: you can symbolically adopt Gisela through our Adopt a Lemur program for updates on her family!
Arcadius, on the day of his birth, is carefully handled by the DLC’s husbandry staff for his infant wellness exam. Photo by Sara Sorraia.
Arcadius is Gisela and Rupert’s sixth offspring. He was born at a fairly standard 101 grams—about the weight of a deck of playing cards—and was strong and vocal from his first infant wellness exam. He is named after Roman emperor Arcadius, who was declared co-ruler for the eastern half of the Roman Empire at just five years old and was heavily influenced by strong women in his life.
One-month-old Arcadius clinging to mom Gisela. Gisela is an experienced mom who takes fantastic care of her infants. Photo by David Haring.
Lemur infants like Arcadius begin their lives clinging ventrally to mom’s belly—affectionately referred to as the “fanny pack stage”—before they eventually navigate to mom’s back. Photo by David Haring.
Family Matters
Husbandry technician Lauren Kirtland, the primary caretaker for Gisela’s family, chose Arcadius’s name and has watched the infant grow day by day. “Taking care of Arcadius has brought so much joy to my daily routine,” she said. “I look forward to seeing more of his personality start to develop with each milestone.” Other keepers have described this precocious infant as “an active little guy” and have seen him climbing on his own, eager to explore.
His parents both have plenty of experience with infants. “Rupert and Gisela have done such an amazing job raising him,” Lauren commented. Rupert is a very involved dad, frequently grooming his son and partner. Big brother Silas, who turns three in January, was previously the youngest of five. His playful curiosity and calm demeanor are the perfect recipe for an older sibling. Keepers have noted how gentle Silas is with his little brother, letting Arcadius climb all over his head with little fuss.
Dad Rupert (left) and older brother Silas (right) have been very involved with Arcadius. This is Silas’s first time as an older sibling, and helping care for his little brother will teach him skills needed to eventually care for his own offspring. Photo by David Haring.
Jovian, the Coquerel’s sifaka who played Zoboomafoo, is Arcadius’s grandfather. Of his five older siblings, Silas is the only one who still lives in his natal group. Lemur photos by David Haring, Sara Nicholson, and Bob Karp. Graphic by Abby Flyer.
Keeping Up with the Sifakas
Want to stay up to date on Arcadius and family AND support lemur care and conservation? You can symbolically adopt Arcadius’s mom, Gisela, through our Adopt a Lemur program!
By symbolically adopting Gisela, you or your gift recipient will receive a personalized care package, including an adoption packet and quarterly email updates for a year. A Coquerel’s sifaka symbolic adoption is the perfect gift for any animal lover in your life!
Six-week-old Arcadius clings to Gisela while she snacks on leaves. You’ll receive photos like these in your Adopt updates! Photo by David Haring.
