Lemur Reintroduction in Madagascar
Return of Endangered Species Linked With Critical Habitat Protection
Only three of the original thirteen black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata variegata) reintroduced into Betampona Reserve have survived the full ten years but those three are living and reproducing in the wild, which is the ultimate goal of any reintroduction program. Bringing the lemurs back also gave a much-needed boost to Madagascar’s national Environmental Action Plan.
The Lemur Reintroduction Program
When the original black and white ruffed lemurs were reintroduced, it was with much trepidation. A similar project with golden lion tamarinds in South America had fared badly, with many of the animals unable to adapt to the wild. These lessons proved valuable. There were losses, but more than half of the original reintroduced lemurs survived for more than two years living wild.
The animals were raised in captivity in the United States at Duke University’s Lemur Center and at several zoos around the country. They were taken to Madagascar and held for a period of time in enclosures in the area where they would be released. This is known as a ‘soft release’ where the animal is acclimated to the food, sights and sounds of their new habitat before being let go.
The lemurs were fitted with radio collars and had distinctive shaving patterns on their tails to be able to identify them. With five different animals producing six surviving offspring among them, the diminished gene pool of the endangered wild lemur has been enhanced. And there have been other positive results.
Conservation Benefits of the Reintroduction
Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, has lost much of its tropical forest. Some estimate as much as 80% of the original woodlands have been lost to logging and cultivation. With much of the country in poverty, subsistence has taken precedence over conservation. In addition to destroying forests for fuel and agriculture, illegal poaching of lemurs for food has had a big impact on the species.
The black and white ruffed lemur reintroduction helped to spur conservation efforts in the Betampona Reserve where they were released. The publicity surrounding the project stimulated interest in many parts of the world. People wanted to see the lemur’s habitat protected. Protecting that habitat has helped many species who share that habitat.
In other areas of Madagascar, the impetus to restore black and white ruffed lemurs has taken hold as well, with the Madagascan National Parks closing one tourist route through Analamazaotra Special Reserve Forest in order to begin reforestation of the area for eventual reintroduction of the lemurs into the Reserve. In this case, the lemurs for reintroduction will come from Mantadia National Park and Maromiza Classified Forest. These three areas were once one contiguous forest and, while it is unlikely that they will be restored completely, providing wildlife corridors for the lemurs (and other species) to move between the three areas will enhance their genetic diversity by allowing separate populations access to each other. Having a greater range will reduce the ease with which poachers can reach the lemurs.
The lemurs, other wildlife and the ecotourism industry on Madagascar all benefit from these reintroduction programs. If the benefits are passed on to the people of the country it will be a success on every level.
Black and White Ruffed Lemur
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