Last updated at 16:12, Tuesday, 12 August 2008

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A LITTLE girl was bitten by a lemur as she celebrated her birthday at Dalton zoo.

Ellie Robinson was taken to hospital after being attacked by the creature in the Madagascar enclosure of South Lakes Wild Animal Park.

The lemurs wander freely around the zoo and visitors are encouraged to hand-feed them under supervision.

The incident happened as Ellie celebrated her third birthday with baby brother Macauley Williams, mum Kerry Owings and her partner, Gareth Williams.

Ellie received butterfly stitches at Furness General Hospital, and her mum is worried Ellie could be scarred for life.

Miss Owings, 22, of Wallace Street, Barrow, said: “I think the lemur must have been after food. It jumped on to my son’s buggy and my little girl was stood next to the buggy. We were trying to coax it off the pram and it just went for her and bit her on the arm.

“She’s on antibiotics but she’s covered for tetanus through her baby jabs.”

Miss Owings said they were given a first aid kit by the keeper who witnessed the bite but they haven’t heard from the park since.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park said the family had ignored signs which ban visitors from taking food into the Madagascar area.

Karen Brewer, education and marketing manager for the zoo, said: “It’s unfortunate the family had entered the area and disregarded the rules and signs before them.

“They had taken their own toffees and food in with them on the pram.

“We have members of staff on duty and as soon as we became aware of the incident, we responded very swiftly and went and shooed the animals off.

“The little girl was in a bit of distress so we looked after them after that.”

Miss Owings believes the park should highlight the fact the animals can bite.

“I think there should be more signs saying they bite because we didn’t see any,” she said.

The park is fully inspected and has to abide by the rules which is why the signs are there, added Ms Brewer.

She said: “It is a natural environment and you’re entering into their area where they’re free to roam which is part of the reason we ban food and drink, and also for the welfare of the animals.”

Keepers believe the free-roaming environment contributes to successful breeding.

Lemurs are under threat in the wild through habitat destruction.

First published at 12:02, Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk