Naples Zoo announces death of oldest lemur in North America

The oldest brown lemur in North America died last week at the Naples Zoo.

Mr. Brown was 39, and the Zoo said it’s possible he was the oldest brown lemur in the world. The average lifespan for his species in the wild is 20 to 25 years.

“Mr. Brown’s long life is a testament to the care and compassion of Naples Zoo’s animal care staff and veterinary team,” said Jack Mulvena, Naples Zoo president and CEO. “Our teams are dedicated to our animals for all stages of life and they have done an incredible job over the years treating Mr. Brown and keeping him comfortable.”

Mr. Brown was under constant care for age-related health conditions. In 2019, he developed glaucoma in his right eye, and the eye was removed. It was the first surgery ever performed in Naples Zoo’s Glass Animal Hospital. A cataract then grew in his remaining eye, leading him to have virtually no vision. He also had arthritis in his joints, which made moving around more difficult. In order to provide Mr. Brown with the best care possible, members of his animal care staff designed a special habitat to meet his needs and keep him safe, including building walkways with pool noodles as “bumpers” to help him navigate.

Mr. Brown arrived at Naples Zoo in June 1990. His keepers describe him as a gentle, resilient old man that loved grapes and had to have his sweet potato cooked just the right way. Staff will be monitoring Mr. Brown’s companion, Victoria, to see how she adjusts.