Madagascar's Lemurs: The island of Madagascar is 900 miles long and 375 miles wide. It lies in the Indian Ocean, near the east coast of Africa. Madagascar is the only place where true lemurs are now found in the wild. Scientist believe that 14 species of large lemurs became extinct shortly after humans arrived on Madagascar 1,500 years ago. Bones found in caves show that lemurs were an important source of food for the early human inhabitants. Today people in Madagascar still eat lemurs.

Most lemurs species are endangered because of loss of habitat. The human population of Madagascar has risen sharply during the last century, and the rain forests on which the lemurs depend are being cleared for farmland. because the soil is poor, the land is abandoned after several years of cultivation, and more rain forest is cleared.  Most of Madagascar's rain forest has been destroyed within the last century.

How the Lemur evolved: The island of Madagascar has five very different climatic areas. Each area is divided by wide, fast flowing rivers that isolate the various populations of immigrant lemurs from each other As a result of isolation and varying climates, each group of lemurs has developed differently. This variation in development is part of the normal process of evolution. In addition, the developing lemur populations thrived because there was no competition for food from other animals and no threat from predators.

Conservation Measures and Problems: Recently the World WIde Fund for Nature has recognized the importance of preserving Madagascar's remaining wildlife habitats, including those of the lemur. The program is seeking to raise money for the establishment of an environmental action plan that will form nature reserves on the island. Still, progress in establishment the reserves has been slow.

The Need for More Help: Existing laws to protect the lemurs on Madagascar are difficult to enforce. Many villagers are isolated and unaware of the lemurs plight; as a result they continue to destroy the lemurs forest habitat. Also, Madagascar is a poor country where human life expectancy is approximately 40 years. So the establishment of schools and hospitals has a higher priority than saving the lemurs.  Without the help of wealthy nations to pay the costs required to establish and maintain a wildlife conservation program, the lemurs future remains uncertain.

Facts:
The Ring Tailed Lemur: Lemur catta: troops of ring tailed lemurs live in the sparse, dry southern forests. ALthough the males are as large as the females, the females lead the group and defend their territory from rival lemurs. When water is scarce, the females and young drink first to ensure continuation of the species. The ring tailed lemur carries its tail erect like a flag. It uses scent secretions to mark both its tail and its territory.

The aya-aya: Has a bony middle finger that it uses to extract insect larvae from tree bark. It protects this finger by walking on its wrists. Daubentonia madagascariensis: The nocturnal aya-aya has sensitive ears, a bushy tail, and teeth that never stop growing. The aya-aya population numbers less than 200 but the animal is still killed by villages who believe that it brings bad luck.

The Sifaka: Propithicus verreauxi and P. diadema: Like many lemurs that are active during the day, the sifaka basks in the early morning sun to raise its body temperature. Pairs of sifakas groom each other, both to clean their fur and to strengthen social bonds.  The word "sifaka" comes from the call the lemur makes to warn other lemurs of danger.

The Lesser Mouse Lemur: Microcebus murinus: The lesser mouse lemur is the smallest of all primates. It is more common that the other types of lemur, but it is rarely seen because it is nocturnal. It sleeps in a nest made of plant fibers, leaves, and hair, and it spends the cold, dry season in an inactive state. The lesser mouse lemur is in less danger of extinction than other lemurs. This is partly because the lesser mouse lemur is too small for people to eat.
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