London Zoo's new In with the Lemurs enclosure allowed visitors to get up-close and personal with the furry animals from Madagascar.

Malcolm Fitzatrick, the curator of mammals at London Zoo, said that it was a chance for visitors to "actually walk through the Lemurs' environment".

"I mean I'm sure if you've watched the Madagascar film you can tell from that they're a great character, a unique species and wonderful animals. And to be able to get so up-close and personal and have them leaping over your head or sitting next to you is just a great experience," said Fitzpatrick.

Many families with young children were in the enclosure, which opened for the first time on Saturday, and were clearly enjoying the chance to get close with the lemurs, who appeared to be more than happy to share their environment.

Fitzpatrick has said he hopes that by widening peoples understanding of these sociable animals their natural habitat could be saved.

"It inspires our visitors, especially children, if we can engage them - a lifelong interest in wildlife and how they can protect their habitats," he said.

This new enclosure aims to give the visitor an understanding of how their natural habitat is being threatened by the timber industry in Madagascar.

Ring-tail lemurs are classified as endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red-list, as are black and white ruffed lemurs, which are also listed on international conservation charity the Zoological Society of London's EDGE of Existence programme, due to the threat to their survival and evolutionary distinctiveness.

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