THEY are nearly 7,000 miles from their homeland and on the list of endangered species. But a family of 10 ringtailed lemurs are alive and well and living in the Bolton area.

The most recent members of the family are twins, born two months ago - and are the pride and joy of lifelong animal lover Terry Pearson and his wife Dorothy.

Most importantly, they are helping to ensure the survival of the species.

Terry has been breeding lemurs, a group of primates which occur naturally only in Madagascar and neighbouring Indian Ocean islands, for 16 years.

In their homeland there are 50 species of lemur, of which 17 are endangered. Their main threat is loss of habitat, as people tear down forests for timber and to create farmland.Terry said: "I started breeding them as a conservation project. They are a lovely animals, very gentle and intelligent, although not suitable as pets.

"We send them to zoos and wildlife parks to help stop inbreeding. Our group has its own gene pool which can benefit others in different parts of the country.

"Sometimes we exchange animals with zoos and wildlife parks, sometimes we loan them. Occasionally we sell them. But this is not a money-making thing - it is a conservation project. We could actually do with sponsorship or other form of support."

The lemurs live in two large enclosures, connected by a tunnel, on an acre of land at Terry and Dorothy's home. The couple also have four wallabies which Terry bought when Haigh Hall Zoo at Wigan closed.

The Pearson family are well known as animal lovers. Terry's grandfather ran a pet store, his father bred show dogs and ran kennels in the area. Terry had a pet store until he "retired" four years ago. The shop is now run by his son Andrew.

Lemurs are now Terry's special project. "I like to think we're doing our bit to save them from extinction," he said. Tweet