One of two new red-ruffed lemur pups is photographed in its nest box at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. Two pups were born May 12, 2023. (Photo courtesy Happy Hollow Park & Zoo)
The weather’s been a bit gloomy this week, but the mood has been considerably brighter at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose, thanks to two new baby red-ruffed lemurs.
The pups, who appropriately arrived the Friday of Mother’s Day weekend last month, are the first to be born at the zoo since 2009 — and that is a very big deal. Red-ruffed lemurs are considered critically endangered by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature and are found only in a small part of Madagascar — and San Jose, it seems.
Ally, the pups’ 6-year-old mom, was transferred to Happy Hollow back in November 2020 from the Nashville Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s species survival plan. The zoo’s animal care team kept an eye on how she interacted with Zarosky, her 14-year-old potential mate, and let’s just say there was one more happy love story to come out of the pandemic.
“Both pups are bright and alert and are gaining weight daily, which is a sign of good health at their age,” Happy Hollow Veterinary Technician Rachel Atkins said in a release. “Ally is doing very well as a first-time mother, keeping a close eye on her pups and already reigning in some of their rambunctious and risky behavior, like trying to climb out of the den box without her.”
Ally and the the pups have a private den, but they also venture out into the main habitat and visitors might catch a peek if they’re lucky. The pups don’t yet have names, but the public will get the chance to help with that through a contest later this summer so stay tuned and check www.happyhollow.org for updates.
GROWING CONCERN: Despite this year’s very wet weather, years of drought have taken their toll on the apricot grove at the Los Altos Heritage Orchard. Planted in 1901 by J. Gilbert Smith, it’s one of the few remaining links to the valley’s agricultural past, and the Los Altos History Museum is inviting the public to discuss restoring the city landmark on June 15.
“Conversations and Reflections: Orchard Restoration,” is the second in a series of Third Thursday discussions at the museum, and it’ll feature Jane Packard from the museum’s Orchard Commons Committee sharing ideas for a restoration approach that would include soil-building and pollinator-friendly practices — i.e., attracting bees — as well as plans for the installation of a new irrigation drip system. And while this seems like a good plan, Packard says it’s time for Los Altos’ diverse community to weigh in.
The 5:30 p.m. discussion includes a wine and appetizer reception. Admission is $10 (free for museum members), and you can register at www.losaltoshistory.org. And while you’re visiting the museum, you can also check out its new traveling exhibit, “Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women,” which is opening the same day. The exhibit includes 30 first-person accounts from women who came to California before 1854.
MUSIC TO OUR EARS: Symphony San Jose packed the house for its finale Sunday, performing “Carmina Burana” at the California Theatre — a “boffo” way to end the season, as the late Bob Kieve would have said. That wouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone who stopped by Friday night’s open rehearsal during the SubZERO festival, which had a substantial crowd, too. And the audience watching the orchestra and chorale rehearse under the direction of Carlos Vieu was younger and more diverse than you might expect — something all of our arts organizations are going to need to survive.
It also was the 58th season in the books for Bob Weil, a saxophonist and clarinet player who joined the symphony in 1965. I’m told the record is 60 seasons, and it would be a real high note if Weil at least matches that mark. Symphony San Jose’s next season, “The Dawn of a New Era,” starts in late September. Get information on the programs at www.symphonysanjose.org.
Originally published at Sal Pizarro