Stumpy rings in 39th birthday with world record as the longest-living lemur
A ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) called Stumpy celebrated not only his 39th year, but also recognition as the oldest living lemur in captivity, at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, Scotland, UK, on 15 June 2025.
The mature primate, whose slightly shortened tail is what led to his name, is described as “a firm favourite with staff and visitors” alike.
He was born c. June 1986 in Surrey, UK, before moving to Scotland and has resided at Five Sisters since 2005. He currently lives there with two of his sons, Red (aged 21) and Julian (20) – themselves both a respectable age for their kind.
“He’s a sweet boy,” according to Five Sisters’ Senior Animal Keeper, Gemma Varley. “He loves to sunbathe and eat fresh browse (his favourite is willow) and he loves sweet potato.
“Stumpy’s birthday is a big event. He celebrates with his sons and enjoys a bit of birthday cake made from special primate pellet.”
Despite his advanced age – for context, the average life expectancy for ring-tailed lemurs in human care is 20–25 years, and that reduces to under 20 in the wild – Stumpy is said to be surprisingly fit, though understandably his eyesight has declined over the years, plus he has some stiffness in his joints.
Varley continued: “While he does have some arthritis, he has been blessed with good health. He does need some extra care, such as daily medications for his arthritis, weekly weigh-ins and his scent glands often overgrow, but he allows us to trim these voluntarily through positive-reinforcement training.”
Over his lifetime, Stumpy has done his bit for lemur conservation and public engagement by siring a total of 11 offspring.
His progeny have gone on to produce 25 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. All six great-grandchildren now live at Attica Zoo in Greece.
GWR’s Senior Managing Editor, Adam Millward, who worked with the zoo on the verification process, was delighted by the final result: “Reaching such a grand age –we’re talking living well over a decade beyond what is typical for your kind – is impressive for any species. With this record, there’s now no question that Stumpy has truly earned his stripes!
“I hope he enjoyed his special day – and paws crossed we hear from Five Sisters Zoo again for the big 4-0 next year.”
Stumpy has been an extraordinary part of our Five Sisters Zoo family for two decades. We are honoured that, at 39 years old, his remarkable longevity – undoubtedly a credit to the dedicated care he has received – has been formally recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest lemur – Gary Curran, a senior manager at Five Sisters Zoo
While examples of lemurs reaching into their late 30s are rare, they are not unheard of. Bella, a white-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur albifrons), resided at the Isle of Wight Zoo, UK, from 1990 to 2020, and was estimated to have been 38 when she died.
There are also zoological reports of another ring-tailed lemur born at Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania, USA, in May 1967, who after several transfers was still alive at Brevard Zoo in Florida, USA, in October 2004, aged 37.