June 1, 2010

Long Island Game Farm Introduces Jack the Giraffe

 

Lemurs, Gibbons, Turaco Birds Also Make Their New Home

 

The Long Island Game Farm is bringing in Jack the giraffe — just in time for the summer season at the Game Farm. In addition, the Game Farm is adding black-and-white-ruffed lemurs, gibbons and violet Turaco birds to its exhibits for the 2010 season.

This is Jack’s first season at the Game Farm. "He is very friendly and very beautiful," said Melinda Novak, Co-Owner and Vice President, Long Island Game Farm. "He will enjoy spending the summer here because of the Long Island weather. People will be amazed by his elegance and kind nature."

The black-and-white ruffed lemur is one of the largest lemurs found in the Lemuridae family. They can grow up to four feet tall from the top of the head to the tip of the tail, but only weigh between eight and 10 pounds. They live in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. They eat fruit and other plants.

A member of the Hylobatidae family, the gibbon is a small ape mostly found in the tropical and subtropical rainforests in southern and eastern Asia. They are best known for living in trees and their ability to swing from treetop to treetop. In the wild, gibbons live in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair and their dependent offspring.

The Turaco is a medium-sized bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. They make their habitats in forests, woodland and savanna. They build their nests in tress and lay two or three eggs. They eat mostly fruits and — to a lesser extent — leaves, buds, flowers. Occasionally, they will eat small insects, snails and slugs.

"We are glad to bring these lemurs, gibbons and Turaco birds to the Game Farm this summer," Ms. Novak said. "These new additions will definitely attract more visitors to the Game Farm. We are also happy that Jack the giraffe will be with us this season."