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Loris pair start new life at Roundhay Park's Tropical World
Like many young couples, they have taken up a new life and a dream home in Roundhay. But this pair had no worries about finding a place on the city's costly housing ladder – or paying for soaring heating bills.
* Click here for more Roundhay and Oakwood news.
The newcomers, a pair of pygmy slow loris, have moved into the steamy surroundings of Roundhay Park's Tropical World.
The loris, a close relation of the bush baby, are relocating to Leeds from Bristol Zoo. The creatures, with thick, woolly fur and big eyes, grow to just 21cm.
Mainly nocturnal, they spend the day asleep in tree crevices, curled up with their heads under their arms.
Keepers at Bristol are taking part in a major conservation push to protect the species, which is under threat in its Asian homeland from international trade and habitat loss.
TV viewers can tonight see the loris become Loiners as Animal Rescue Squad tracks their journey from Bristol.
Leeds City Council leisure boss Councillor John Procter said: "We participate regularly in conservation programmes from all over the world, and only a year ago welcomed some Madagascan mouse lemurs here."
Animal Rescue Squad is on Five from 6.30pm tonight.
* For Tropical World details visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/tropicalworld or ring (0113) 2145715.
LORIS FACTS:
* Adults are solitary, coming together only to mate.
* Despite being small they have a toxic bite they use to hunt and protect themselves.
* Slow loris eat insects, small animals, fruit and birds' eggs
* At mating time, the female tempts in a partner through the scent of her urine and a series of special whistles
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
