A LEMUR who travelled more than 9,000 miles from Colchester Zoo to his new home in Australia has been given a new name to reflect the place where he was born.

Former Colchester woman Shell Taylor, who now lives in Brisbane, chose the name Stan for the ringtailed lemur.

Mrs Taylor picked the name to remind visitors to the Australian zoo, where Stan now lives, of Colchester’s own zoo, which is in Stanway.

She won the right to name the creature in a competition launched on social media by Australia Zoo, in Queensland, after Stan arrived there earlier this month.

Mrs Taylor, who emigrated a year ago, was one of hundreds who entered on Facebook and Instagram.

Part of her prize is a visit to see Stan with her family during a special lemur encounter at the zoo.

Zoo officials say Stan is settling in well at his new home, on Bindi’s Island, and has been enjoying sunbathing and fruit salad.