MAKY the ring-tailed lemur enjoyed a special party to celebrate her first birthday. The resident of Shepreth Wildlife Park was guest of honour at the park s first Lemur Fun Day. A spokesman for the park said: We wanted to celebrate Maky s birthday, while

MAKY the ring-tailed lemur enjoyed a special party to celebrate her first birthday.

The resident of Shepreth Wildlife Park was guest of honour at the park's first Lemur Fun Day.

A spokesman for the park said: "We wanted to celebrate Maky's birthday, while also raising awareness of the Madagascar fauna group, working to conserve lemurs in their natural environment."

Fun and games included raffles, face painting, and a competition to meet the birthday girl herself.

Ring-tailed lemurs originate from the island of Madagascar.

However, climate change and years of civil unrest, have seen much of the vegetation destroyed. It is estimated that just under 10 per cent of the lemur's original habitat remains.

All proceeds from the day will be donated to the Madagascar fauna group. For more information, visit www.savethelemur.org.

Meanwhile, a bizarre friendship between two other inhabitants of the park continues to blossom.

The baby mara and duckling remain the best of friends, and staff hope they venture out into the mara paddock in the next few weeks.

Animal collection manager Rebecca Willers said: "We were a little concerned at first how a duckling and mara would interact as they grew, but are really happy with the progress they are making."

Pictures: DANIEL WILSON: 2988DW49