Lemurs in Lubbock: Here's how to visit Ringtail Ranch, how it started
Whether you grew up watching “Zoboomafoo” or DreamWorks' “Madagascar," you are likely somewhat familiar with lemurs. Did you know there are 36 of them just outside of Lubbock?
While Lubbock does not have a zoo, it does have Ringtail Ranch, an animal rescue people can visit. There are three different types of lemurs, two red kangaroos, two bearded dragons, two miniature horses, two rabbits and a macaw.
Out of those animals, 31 ring-tailed lemurs are rescues from across the U.S. Many of them came from people who wanted a new pet, but very few of those owners were prepared to raise one.
It started with wildcats in Montana, then lemurs in Texas
Jeanna Treider, a lifelong animal advocate with a background in veterinary medicine, knew she wanted to operate an animal rescue since she was 4 years old. Her rescue efforts began in Montana, moved to Nevada and eventually settled in Texas. Initially, she rescued bobcats and lynx.
"After we lost our Siberian Lynx, we didn't have any pets in the house," Treider said. "So we made a trip to the pet store, and saw a lemur in a cage, fell in love, and brought him home. He was an intelligent being, this guy didn't belong in a cage. We had no idea what was in store."
Their first lemur, a ringtail named Chach, started to change when he reached maturity. She began researching lemurs and learned they are as smart as the average 3-year-old child, can live up to 40 years, and typically live in troops of more than 10 members. This led her to adopt three more lemurs - a mother, a father and a baby.
"The guy did say the male was aggressive, and I thought, 'well, how aggressive can a five pound lemur be?'" Treider said.
Her answer came in the form of 64 stitches, an infection, and two days in the hospital.
"They don't make good pets," she said. "They're taken from their mom days or weeks old, and when that happens, you're 99.999% going to have an aggressive lemur. You can go and get a lemur without a permit, without education, and that's not good."
The experience spurred her on to create a haven for the lemurs. As she researched, she heard experiences from other lemur owners. Those owners eventually asked her to provide a home for their former pets.
"By the time I got to 10, I realized this is a serious problem, and we needed to do something," she said.
That something was to purchase a junkyard just outside the city limits, clean it up, and create Ringtail Ranch. Rescued lemurs now have plenty of space to live out their lives, and several animals are ambassadors for their species.
The ambassadors include Komet, a Tri-Colored Ruffed Lemur; Marley, a Brown Lemur; Pongo the Red Kangaroo; and Penelope, the miniature horse.
"This is the closest thing to a zoo Lubbock has," Treider said. "We're here, and people can learn about the animals. Education is key, and teaches respect and responsibility. It's important that Lubbock embraces this."
The space officially opened in January, hosts weekly events, visits farmers' markets, and is open for tours by reservation. Ringtail Ranch is a 501c3 nonprofit and USDA approved. People can make a reservation for $15 per person by calling or texting 806-781-1076, or emailing ringtailranchtx@gmail.com.
What goes into operating a lemur rescue? Grapes, Disney movies and heart.
Long hours went into preparing the space, and even now that the ranch is open, Treider spends most of her time caring for the animals.
"It is 24/7, it's a lifestyle," Treider said as fed Komet a grape, his favorite treat. "I work 15 hours a day, sometimes more, but I love them. I absolutely love this, it's my sanctuary, and now I get to share it with people."
Along with daily operations, there are the moments when she has to take in a rescue. Two cases she recalled were regarding Layla Grace, 1, and Max, 16, ring-tailed lemurs from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Max was one of the worst cases she had ever seen.
"He was almost dead, he was starved, lived in a little crate, had no muscle," Treider said. "The vet said we need to let him go. The circumstances that some of these guys have gone through are unimaginable."
Layla Grace was purchased as a pet for a woman's three-year-old daughter. The young ring-tailed lemur weighed less than a newborn lemur, though she was four months old at the time of rescuing.
Not only have both recovered, but they are thriving under the care of Ringtail Ranch. All animals at the ranch have climate-controlled rooms, their favorite snacks (lemurs love grapes), toys, and enjoy Disney movies as part of their enrichment.
"They seem to like Rio, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and Beauty and the Beast, the most" Treider said.
Treider hopes to continue expanding the sanctuary by adding a pond and larger enclosures. Future animals could include zebra-donkey hybrids and capybaras.
More animal news: Lubbock animal rescuer hopes to open cat café; here's how to help
How can you help Lubbock's Ringtail Ranch?
USDA licensed Ringtail Ranch last year and they received a grant that allowed them to build climate-controlled enclosures. What initially would have been lemur enclosures became the education room, where people can attend their Zoo Crew weekends or book for events like school visits.
Each of the animals have a stuffed toy version of themselves, which people can purchase online at ringtailranch.com, or in-person. Donations to the non-profit can be made through the website, which also lists an Amazon Wishlist for needed items for the animals. All funds go toward the care of Ringtail Ranch's residents.
"We really need support," Treider said. "We're here, and we love to share information about the animals. Help our community by getting the zoo going, and help us continue our mission."
People can keep up with the rescue at ringtailranch.com, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock's Ringtail Ranch offers sanctuary, education on lemurs, more
