The conservation of lemurs for more than 40 years in a few words

Madagascar is one of the 12 countries with the greatest diversity which preserves more than 80% of the world's biodiversity. In addition, lemurs are 100% endemic in the Country and represent more than 20% of the world's primates. Native to the Big Island for more than 50 million years, they are the pride and fame of the country. After more than 40 years of researches and conservations of these fabulous creatures and also thanks to technological advances, the number of new species of lemurs discovered continues to increase. At the same time, several associations have joined the ranks of the noble quest that is the conservation of the Lemurs. Indeed, our technical and financial partners have always supported us and their aid today amounts to 700 million dollars. With the same momentum, several international conventions have been held, the World Festival of Lemurs is annually held and several tourism development projects have been carried out. To support conservation, standards, rules and laws have been created for the matter of Lemur conservation. According to the latest news, there are only 10% of the forest cover left on the Big Island. Unfortunately, if this drastic situation persists, in the 30 years to come, there will be no more forest left. The direct consequence will be the total extinction of the country's biodiversity, bringing with it the extinction of lemurs. An alert was recently raised about the imminent threat of extinction of the smallest species of primate in the world: Microcebus berthae, due to the pressures weighing on it as well as the incessant destruction of its natural habitat. With over 17 lemur species already extinct, history is repeating itself with over 95% of lemur species threatened of extinction. This leads us to question ourselves on the research and conservation work carried out for over those 40 years. What are the shortcomings? Is it still possible to save the 112 existing lemur species from extinction? So what are the appropriate short- and long-term strategies to safeguard our national treasure, the lemurs?

Keys-words:Conservation, Biodiversity, Primate, Lemurs, Madagascar

22/06/2023