Lemur
Only a quarter the size of DRC Madagascar boasts an amazing number of different species of lemur! More incredible than this, they are all endemic. From the aye-aye and largest lemur, the Indri, to the famous ring-tailed lemur, Madagascar is the ultimate primate destination and a definite must for those travellers putting together a "life list" of primate species. A variety of different lemur species inhabit the fourth largest island of the world from the scrublands of the south to the quickly dwindling forests of the interior. Part of the primate category, lemurs differ in that they are prosimians rather than anthropoids (monkeys, apes and humans are anthropoids). Evolving before anthropoids, prosimians, unlike all other primates, use their sense of smell to distinguish what is safe to eat and to differentiate between individuals in their group. Prosimians also differ in that the females play the dominant role, defending the group, choosing the best food and choosing who to mate with.
Distribution - Unable to list all the lemurs we have just chosen a small selection. Ring Tailed lemur: inhabit dry scrub, deciduous and gallery forests in the south and southwest of the island. Black Lemur: inhabits forests in the northwest of the island. Red Ruffed lemur: restricted to Masoala Peninsula in the northeast. Verreaux's Sifaka: found in the south and west of the island. Indri: inhabit the island's eastern rainforests.
Level of Protection - Primate extinction has already occurred on this island. Fossil records prove approx 2,000 years ago 47 primate species used to exist on the island with the largest growing bigger than an adult male gorilla. Since then 85% of the island's forests have been destroyed as a result of slash and burn agriculture, 70% of the island's primate population is now in some type of trouble; several of these species are close to extinction.
Best Time to visit - Officially the dry season runs from April - October although due to the size and geography of the island there are various regional variations.
Safaris available - World Primate Safaris offers a variety of lemur safaris in Madagascar. Please contact us for further information.
