An extremely rare ‘dancing lemur’ that weighs 100 grams and is only the size of a tennis ball has been born at Chester Zoo.
Primate conservationists at the UK’s largest charity zoo are celebrating the birth of the critically-endangered Coquerel’s sifaka – also known as a ‘dancing lemur’ – with the tiny baby arriving to parents Beatrice (12) and Elliot (12), and bringing an end to a five-month pregnancy.
The first images released by Chester Zoo show mum Beatrice carefully cradling her new baby, who was born with thick fuzzy white fur, as it clings to her belly.
Chester is the only zoo in the UK, and one of just three in Europe, to care for Coquerel’s sifakas.
Unlike other species of lemur, sifakas stand perfectly upright and use their powerful legs to spring side to side along the forest floor, hence them being affectionately nicknamed the ‘dancing lemur’.
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ChDuke Lemur Centre in America to establish a conservation breeding programme across the continent that’s working to prevent the rare primates from becoming extinct.
The unique primates are found in only one place on Earth, the northwestern forests of Madagascar, where its wild population has declined by 80% in the last 30 years due to widespread deforestation, and as a result, the species has sadly been listed as the highest conservation priority there is – critically endangered.
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Currently just nine sifaka reside in the whole of Europe, with four now found in Chester.
An extremely rare ‘dancing lemur’ that’s only the size of a tennis ball has been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has worked with the Duke Lemur Centre over in America to establish a conservation breeding programme across the continent that’s working to prevent the rare primates from becoming completely extinct.
Primate experts at the zoo say the new baby will begin to branch out and explore on its own at around six months old, and it’s at this point they’ll determine whether it’s a male or female.
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“Every Coquerel’s sifaka birth is a huge cause for celebration,” commented Dr Nick Davis, who is the Mammals General Manager at Chester Zoo.
“There are very few remaining globally and every addition within the European conservation breeding programme is vital to the work we’re doing to safeguard the future of this species.
“The new baby has spent the first vital few weeks of life quietly bonding with mum, Beatrice, and we’re very happy to report that they’re both doing great so far. We’re seeing positive signs – they’ve been inseparable so far.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Murder investigation launched after 84-year-old man is found dead in his Prestwich home
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after an 84-year-old man was found dead in Prestwich.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that detectives from its Major Incident Team sadly discovered the elderly man at his home address in the Bury town of Prestwich last Thursday (13 March 2025).
After initial enquiries and a post-mortem following the death, police the injuries he sustained were deemed to be ‘suspicious’.
With investigations ongoing at pace, earlier this week (Tuesday 18 March 2025) at around 7pm, a 70-year-old woman, who was said to be known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of murder at Butterstile Lane in Prestwich.
The woman is currently in police custody.
#ARREST | We have arrested a 70-year-old woman on suspicion of murder after we sadly found a body last week on Butterstile Lane in #Prestwich of an 84-year-old man.
Our investigation has been launched following findings from a post-mortem.
“We understand the concern this news will raise within Bury that we have launched a murder investigation,” commented Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team.
“But I would like to reassure the local community our initial enquiries suggest it is a contained incident with no wider threat to the public.
“As part of our investigation, we must follow strict procedure and ensure we obtain as much evidence as possible to understand more what happened, which has sadly led to an elderly man losing their life.”
In the meantime, while investigations progress, anyone with any information is asked to call 101 direct, quoting incident 1771 of 13/03/2025.
Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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Tribute paid to husband and wife whose car plunged into Greater Manchester reservoir
Daisy Jackson
The couple who died after their car plunged into a reservoir in Greater Manchester have been named, as their family pays tribute.
John and Marilyn Saxon, both 78, were pulled from the water at Crook Gate Reservoir in Saddleworth last weekend.
Emergency services had been called to reports of a collision on Huddersfield Road, with one vehicle entering the reservoir.
The collision occurred shortly after 10am on Saturday 15 March.
Tragically, both John and Marilyn died in the incident.
Their family said: “The family of John and Marilyn want to pay tribute to a kind, caring and generous husband and wife who sadly passed away following an incident at the reservoir on Saturday.
“The family ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Greater Manchester Police are investigating the incident and into how the vehicle entered the water.
A statement released last weekend said: “At around 10.10am Saturday 15 March 2025, we were called to reports of a road traffic collision at Crook Gate Reservoir on Huddersfield Road in Denshaw.
“Officers attended the scene and following investigations, it is believed that a vehicle has entered the Reservoir.
“Sadly, the bodies of a man and a woman in their 70s were recovered. Their next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers.
“A scene remains in place and an investigation is continuing in relation to how the vehicle ended up in the body of water. The family ask for privacy at this time.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 851 of 15/03/25.
Emily Sergeant -
12th March 2025 
