King Julian to ‘move it, move it’ to a new home at Kansas Zoo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — King Julian, a ring-tailed lemur, found last year in a Bloomington area garage, will leave Miller Park Zoo for his new home in Kansas.

The new zoo, Sunset Zoological Park in Manhattan, Kan., has two other lemurs which were also rescued from inappropriate living conditions. This will give “Julian the opportunity he needs to engage in typical social behaviors required by ring-tailed lemurs,” said Miller Park Zoo in a statement.

King Julian, so named for the animated movie “Madagascar,” was found on Jan. 12, 2023, by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources conservation officer who found the lemur in a family garage . The lemur was rescued from the home and has been in the care of Miller Park Zoo since.

However, since ring-tailed lemurs are predisposed to live in large groups, it’s was “critical for Julian’s wellbeing that we find him a home where he could be with other lemurs.”

Lemurs are the most endangered group of mammals on earth and ring-tailed lemurs are classified as endangered, the zoo said.

Director of Miller Park Zoo, Jay Pratte said King Julian’s case is not unique, and his new home will house other lemurs in similar circumstances.

“They actually also have two other lemurs, ring tailed lemurs that were confiscated from inappropriate private ownership or other circumstances,” said Pratte.

He continued, “They were willing to step up and provide us an opportunity to get King Julian a home in another reputable and accredited institution, where’s he’s going to have the chance to be able to engage in proper social behavior with other lemurs like he’s supposed to.”

Miller Park Zoo said the story of King Julian is a cautionary tale of the “complex nature of exotic species and why they belong under professional care.”

To learn more about why Julian’s story, and other rescued or confiscated exotic animals like him, are so important, go to the American Zoos & Aquariums’ “Not a Pet” information page . and information from the Lemur Conservation Foundation about lemur illegal pet trade .

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources told WMBD/WYZZ that as of now, the case surrounding King Julien is still open.

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