After another successful ring-tail lemur breeding season at Wellington Zoo with six new babies, their father Zeus looks set to retire from his role soon.
Wellington Zoo's primate keeper Lisa Ridley said Zeus has fathered 14 lemurs so far.
"I think he's done a fantastic job of making a big imprint on saving his species," Ridley said.
Each year, there's only ever a 36-hour window for Zeus to complete his mating mission.
"He's nailed it again. I don't know how he does it, but he times it perfectly," Ridley said.
The large family of lemurs, also known as a conspiracy, has increased from 13 to 19 lemurs.
This year, six babies were born to four mothers, adding two more sets of twins to the group.
During last year's breeding season, four sets of lemur twins were born.
"The mothers are doing a fantastic job, and to be honest, they're the ones that do all the rearing. Zeus has done his job. Now he sits back and watches until he has to do some babysitting," Ridley said.
After a lifetime of service, and at thirteen years of age, Zeus is set to retire from breeding soon.
"We have to watch it very carefully because obviously, if they breed every year with twins, our numbers go up, and we have to look at our situation for genetics, our spacing," Ridley said.
Once Zeus has retired, Wellington Zoo's plan is to move him into a separate habitat where he will hang out with his four sons.
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