How Can We Save Endangered Lemurs?

A white-and-black face that looks as though it is wearing makeup, with round yellow eyes. Lemurs, whose playful faces give them a distinctive charm, are rare primates that live in Madagascar.

But these lemurs face two dangers at once. Not only are declining populations pushing them toward extinction, but a lack of food is also putting them at risk of starvation.

Lemurs were once commonly found in Madagascar. Due to the effects of climate change, however, most of the lemur population began living only in the eastern part of the island. The largest lemur species is the bamboo lemur, which was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1972.

Lemurs mainly feed on protein-rich bamboo. During the dry season, which lasts from August through November, they survive by eating tougher, less nutritious bamboo stalks.

However, as climate change delayed the arrival of Madagascar’s rainy season by several months, lemur populations began to decline. This is because the delayed rains prevent them from eating the nutrient-rich bamboo that is their main food source. As a result, they survive solely on bamboo stalks with little nutritional value, and eating them for long periods can damage their teeth.

In addition to climate change, large-scale logging has also contributed substantially to the decline in lemur populations. When logging destroys forests, lemurs lose their natural habitat and are left with nowhere to live.

Researchers are currently working with local residents to plant bamboo and install artificial irrigation channels in preparation for the rainy season, in an effort to provide lemurs with enough food.

These findings on the plight of lemurs were published in an academic journal.