Madagascar’s lemurs could go extinct; ‘we’ve not much time left’

More than 90% of Madagascar’s lemurs “are on the verge of extinction,” says one of the country’s leading scientists.

It is a grim prediction for the cute primates, which are only found on Madagascar and the neighboring Comoros Islands.

“We’ve not much time left,” says Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Madagascar’s foremost primatologist. “We have to work together to save the living lemurs before it’s too late.”

Madagascar is an ecological marvel – 92% of mammals indigenous to the island exist nowhere else on Earth. And despite this distinction, at present 24 of the island’s known lemur species, including the silky sifaka and the sibree’s dwarf lemur, are listed as “critically endangered,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list.

But climate change and man’s impact on the ecosystem could take these primates beyond the point of no return, warns Ratsimbazafy.

Wildlife hotspot —

There are 107 known species and subspecies of lemur in Madagascar, including the Coquerel's sifaka (pictured). Tracking them is a thrilling adventure through a landscape of vast contrasts and changing climates.

Verreaux's sifaka lemurs —

Lemurs inhabit lush tropical rainforests, spiny dry forests, semi-arid desert canyons and cool central highlands. However, their habitat is under threat due to deforestation.

Bamboo lemur —

Lemurs are thought to be the most threatened mammal group in the world, with most species facing extinction.

Hubbard's sportive lemur —

Some species are teetering right on the brink. The northern sportive lemur is believed to be down to just 60 animals.

Black-and-white ruffed lemur —

After 93 lemur species were put on critical, endangered or vulnerable watch lists in 2013, conservation experts drew up a three-year emergency plan requiring $7.6 million.

A hubbard's sportive lemur —

The political landscape in Madagascar has changed following the 2014 elections, and there is increased optimism regarding international investment.

Indri lemur —

Indri are the largest living species of lemur. The creature's Malagasy name is "babakoto," meaning "ancestor" or "father."

Ring-tailed lemur —

The ring-tailed lemur is the most recognizable species, due to its distinctive black and white ringed tail.

Panther chameleon —

Madagascar is home to 8,000 species that are not found in the wild anywhere else on the planet.

Parson's chameleon —

Madagascar broke off from mainland Africa around 150 million years ago and the island was cast adrift in the Indian Ocean. Isolation proved fertile breeding ground for evolution.

Chameleon —

Almost half of the world's chameleon species live on Madagascar. Like the lemur, their habitat is threatened by deforestation.

Camouflage —

Chameleons are famed for their ability to change color to blend in with their surroundings. This helps them to evade predators.

Mossy gecko —

The mossy leaf-tailed gecko is endemic to Madagascar. It can also change its skin color to match its environment.

Anja Reserve —

Anja Reserve was dedicated protected land in 2001 and is now the most visited private reserve in the country.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park —

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is home to 11 lemur species, but is most celebrated for its population of indri lemurs.

Lemurs of Madagascar

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“People cut down trees this year and burn, and next year they plant. The following year they cut a new forest. And they do the same for many years. What happens? After many years, the soils lose their fertility, and when the rains come, it’s erosion.

“Madagascar is now bleeding. Because the forest is gone, the soil is eroded and what’s happened: nobody can survive.”

Least of all the lemurs. Ratsimbazafy says that 30,000 hectares of rainforest disappears annually. At this rate, Madagascar’s rainforest will cease to exist within the next 25 years.

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“In Madagascar we have 107 types of lemur. They all live in the forest. Without the forest, they cannot survive.”

The self-confessed crusader, a native of Madagascar’s capital of Antananarivo, says education is among the most important weapons in his arsenal.

Ratsimbazafy says learning about indigenous animals, such as lemurs, is not part of the school curriculum, an issue he has tried to rectify.

“They need to understand, they need to learn first; they need to love the lemurs.”

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As a primatologist, he sees it as his duty to confront his fellow countrymen about their practices, and steer them in the right direction.

“If humans are part of the problem,” he says, “they should also be part of the solution. We have to change the attitude and that’s possible. That’s what we’re working on right now.”

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