DID you know that the Lake District Wildlife Park supports three conservation charities?

In addition to all the native conservation work the Park does on the Armathwaite Hall Estate, the Park raises funds for SEED Madagascar, the Red Panda Network, and the International Vulture Programme.

Over the next few weeks, we will be telling you more about what this involves.

SEED Madagascar is a small organisation that has been funding community-led projects for 20 years.

They work with local people in the Anosy region of Madagascar to develop sustainable ways of living to alleviate poverty, provide good sanitation and education.

Locals are involved in habitat conservation, tree planting and research. This is vital to conserve threatened species, including lemurs, that are one of the most endearing animals, endemic to Madagascar.

An endemic species is one that it is only found in that country or location, which means lemurs are only found on the island of Madagascar!

That is why at the Lake District Wildlife Park we believe it is so important to give lemurs all the help that they can get.

At the Park we house two species of critically-endangered lemurs - red ruffed and black and white ruffed - and a troop of ring-tailed lemurs that are classed as endangered.

Zoos and wildlife parks play a crucial role in conservation by being involved in worldwide breeding programmes and by raising awareness of how at risk these animals are.

Whilst we raise awareness about the serious side of conservation, we also keep things positive. Watching our lemurs being fed by their experienced keeper who can explain their individual characteristics is so endearing.

Learning about the great work that SEED is doing is uplifting. And for those who have booked a keeper experience, spending time in the ring-tailed lemur enclosure is a once in a lifetime experience.

Being close to these gentle animals really is a privilege.

Times and Star: Fundraising for lemurs. Picture: Lake District Wildlife Park

For an added bit of fun, King Julien the lemur is the Park’s mascot who works hard to raise funds for SEED Madagascar. Over the summer months he has been out and about greeting families and making himself available for photo opportunities.

In the autumn months he has a bit of a rest to prepare himself for winter. King Julien tends to get up to mischief in the winter, especially around the festive season. Look out for him again this year, when he will be doing his best to raise funds for SEED by helping - or more likely hindering - Father Christmas!