Lemurs let loose on World Lemur Day at Melbourne Zoo

A troop of lemurs have celebrated their special day with plenty of carrots at Melbourne Zoo.

Video showed the spritely black-and-white creatures leaping around their Lemur Island enclosure, and snacking on some healthy treats, at the zoo this morning.

Today marks World Lemur Day, which is aimed at raising awareness for the unique species native to Madagascar.

Mining and deforestation is currently the main threat to lemurs, with numbers steadily declining across the globe.

“Lemurs in the wild are losing their homes,” primate keeper Jess MacDonald said of the endangered species.

“We’re encouraging people to recycle their mobile phones as part of the ‘They’re Calling On You’ campaign, which will help reduce mining in Madagascar."

It is believed lemurs first arrived to the African island nation on logs or natural rafts more than 65 million years ago.