The Besancon Zoo in Eastern France welcomed the arrival of a baby Sifaka in late December. 'Tahina' means 'needs to be protected' in malgache. With no mother to protect her, 'Tahina' is seen living up to her name by clinging tightly to a surrogate stuffed Mommy Lemur.

(Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images)

A four to five month gestation period ends with the birth of a single offspring in July. The young holds fast to the mother's belly when small, but then later is carried on her back. Young are weaned after about six months and reach full maturity at the age of two to three years. The life expectancy of the sifakas is up to 18 years.

Remember our friend from the San Francisco Zoo? Born on December 8th of last year, the baby gorilla boy abandoned by his mother is doing fine and now he needs a name.  San Francisco Zoo is hosting a contest to give him one.



Prizes for the winning name include:

• Zoo Family Membership for the zoo closest to the winner's place of residency
• Large Gorilla Plush
• Framed photo of the infant gorilla with a footprint
• Thirty minute Live Q&A with a gorilla keeper (either in person, via phone or internet depending on location of winner)

More contest details are below the fold as well as a lengthy and adorable video...

Like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, this baby Giant Anteater was born January 8th, at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Only a few weeks old and already sporting a snout that would make any mama anteater proud, the gender is not yet determined, as the little guy or gal spends all day clinging to mom's shaggy coat. (Note: the video can take a little while to load)

Video: Giant baby anteater on display for first time

Photo and Video: Jennifer Zdon / The Times-Picayune

Shy creatures that prefer to stay in the brush, duiker are small antelope from Sub-Saharan Africa. This little fellow was born at the LA Zoo on January 9th. While duiker feed primarily on leaves, buds, seeds, fruit and bark, they also will eat protein given the opportunity, and have been observed stalking and eating small rodents.

 

The Smithsonian National Zoo is pleased to announce that its three-week-old baby gorilla is a female. The baby was born on January 10 to 26-year-old mom Mandara and 16-year-old dad Baraka. Mandara is again proving herself to be an exemplary mother, and is caring for her baby with great confidence and tenderness.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

Ramir, a 6-week-old Indian rhinoceros, drank three bottles of milk from one of his caretakers, Marcia Diehl, a San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park keeper. The male calf is being bottle-fed more than a gallon of milk five times per day.

You won't see Ramir crying over the milk he's spilling - there's plenty more where that came from!

Protein and exercise keep this baby as slim as he his.

Photos by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park

Yet another baby giraffe was introduced to the world last week. Born on January 10, "Malia" (named after President Obama's first born daughter) is on view now at the Buffalo Zoo!

A species of antelop native to Central Africa, this little calf was born January 9th at the Maryland Zoo. Baby "Jelani" weighed just over 11lbs at birth and has a very attentive mother.

Baby giraffes galore this month, with the latest born at the Houston Zoo. This baby Masai Giraffe is being hand reared by keepers because the mother does not produce enough milk to feed the baby on her own. The affectionate little calf is exceptionally adorable.