Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

Behind the scenes look: Endangered lemurs get checkup at the Akron Zoo

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zoo has four endangered red-ruffed lemurs, creatures only found in the wild in the rain forests of Madagascar.

The zoo's four red-ruffed lemurs are sisters - Avatar, Ikoto and Zeke, who are 8 years old, and 9-year-old Gwen.

Join us today as we venture behind the scenes to observe Avatar and Ikoto undergoing their annual wellness checkups.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

The Akron Zoo's veterinary team

Dr. Rob Nathan, assisted by vet technicians Samantha Aemmer and Kayla White, will perform the exam.

The exam includes blood work, an ultrasound and x-rays.

The primates also receive a tuberculosis test and a rabies vaccination. Tetanus vaccinations are given every five years.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Endangered primates

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Ikoto and Avatar are members of a dwindling and extremely fragmented lemur population worldwide, according to the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Twilight sleep

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Avatar is examined first after being mildly anesthetized to keep her calm and still.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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An impressive tail

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The tails of red-ruffed lemurs are exceptionally long to help them balance in the rain forests of Madagascar, Zookeeper Megan Gerowitz said. The red-ruffed lemur is one of more than 100 endangered lemur species and subspecies, with some pygmy mouse lemurs as small as mice.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Tuberculosis test

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Dr. Nathan must administer Avatar's tuberculosis test via her eyelid because it is the most accessible place without fur.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Rabies vaccination

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Avatar calmly receives her rabies vaccination.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Leathery paws, prominent thumb

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Lemurs prefer spending time climbing in the treetops. Their toe pads are wide. Their paws are leathery and have a strong, prominent thumb for climbing.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Varied markings and eye color

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Lemurs' markings vary. Not all red-ruffed lemurs have white stripes on their paws. Their eye color ranges from amber to blue, Gerowitz said.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Grooming nail

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Lemurs have one toenail that is longer and is known as the grooming nail.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Coarse, plush fur

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The primates have coarse, red fur on top their torsos and plush, black fur underneath.

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Jennifer Conn, Akron reporter, cleveland.com

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Avatar's x-rays

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Avatar is taken into another room for an x-ray.

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A young primate

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Dr. Nathan uses the images from the x-ray to check out Avatar's bone density, and the size and shape of her organs. At eight years old, she is relatively young. Lemurs have an average life span of 20 to 25 years.

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More anesthesia

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Avatar begins to awaken after her x-ray and is given a little more anesthesia.

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Impressive teeth

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Although lemurs have impressive canine teeth, they eat mostly fruits and leaves, and occasionally nuts and eggs. Their bottom teeth are used like combs for grooming, Gerowitz said.

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Avatar's ultrasound

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The veterinarian performs an ultrasound to look more closely at Avatar's internal organs.

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Lemur sisters

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Avatar and her sisters, like all lemurs, exist in matriarchal societies. At the Akron Zoo, they behave like sisters, sharing a loving relationship, but occasionally getting testy with one another, Gerowitz said.

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Exam complete

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Her exam is over, and Avatar awakens as soon as she is returned to her carrier.

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The Akron Zoo

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The Akron Zoo is one of only about 230 zoos in the world accredited to participate in a Species Survival Plan program and is working with other zoos to preserve 45 species, from Partula snails and snow leopards to lemurs.

The Akron Zoo is at 505 Euclid Ave. in Akron. For info on hours, visit the zoo's website or call 330-375-2550.