Discovered populations of large bamboo lemurs threatened in Madagascar

Researchers in Madagascar have confirmed the existence of a large bamboo lemur population located only one where the lemur is in a very fragile state of 400 kilometers (240 miles). This has increased the hope for their survival.

In 2007, it was discovered that the lemur species featured a strong enough to separate the stems of giant bamboos as a favorite food in the Torotorofotsy swamp area east of central Madagascar. This is considered the Ramsar area of ​​international importance under the Treaty on Wetlands in 1971.

Newly updated information on lemurs will be announced at the 2008 International Primate Association, Edinburgh (Scotland) on August 3 next. This publication is part of a new assessment of the status of primates in the world - our closest relatives.

Large bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus) have just been discovered. They live in bamboo bushes in Madagascar rain forests. These primates are the only lemurs that can separate the hard strands of giant bamboo as their favorite food.(Photo: Jonathan Linus Fiely)

For many years, scientists still believed but could not prove that the big bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) lived in the Torotorofotsy area. A cooperative effort between the Malagasy MITSINJO and the Henry Doorly Zoo in the United States with the support of the Margot Swamp Biodiversity Fund and the International Conservation Organization (CI) has helped scientists distribute new lemurs populations are visible. They also attached radio transmitters to track them later.

Researchers believe there are about 30 to 40 large bamboo lemurs in the Torotorofotsy swamp. This area is located far to the north compared to the isolated bamboo forest cluster of the remaining known lemur populations. The ruined environment from the slash-and-burn practice as well as the illegal logging threaten the lemur population that once had an individual population of up to 100, making the existence of new lemur populations discovered in This particular area becomes extremely fragile.

Rainer Dolch of MITSINJO and regional manager Torotorofotsy said: 'The discovery confirms our previous thoughts but cannot prove it. We hope the emergence of these critically endangered creatures will help promote their efforts to protect the environment for them to sustain their lives. '

Henry Doorly Zoo Edward Louis, who is also involved in a joint research program, found a new population, saying: 'The discovery of the extremely rare Prolemur simus lemur population in a place The point that no one expected that place contained much more interesting things than discovering a new lemur population. '

Scientists will publish their findings in Lemur News - a letter of notification from the Primate Specialist Group at the IUCN Survival Committee.

CI president Russell A. Mittermeier and longtime chairman of the Primate Expert Group said: 'The big lemur is the unique species and the only member of the primate family that completely makes it a spirit. The most threatened chief in the world. So this discovery is a great reward for efforts to save them from our extinction. Since then, the importance of coordinating conservation between local people and local organizations such as MITSINJO and international groups like Henry Doorly Zoo has been shown.