Lemur found wandering Tooting Common

A lemur native to the tropical island of Madagascar has been found in south London.

The ring-tailed primate has been taken to a nearby animal hospital and diagnosed with hypothermia, severe dehydration and shock.

The Blue Cross animal charity said it is unsure of where the lemur - which has been named King Julien after the character in animated movie 'Madagascar' - had come from.

Lemurs require a special licence to own and originate from the island of Madagascar in Africa.

Mark Bossley, Blue Cross chief vet at Victoria animal hospital, said: "We mainly treat cats and dogs at the Blue Cross but we do get the odd snake or tortoise, and we have been known to treat chickens, goats and even possums.

"But this has got to be the most unusual animal we've ever taken in. How a ring-tailed lemur turned up in Tooting Common, I'll never know."