Let's move together for lemurs!

Posted on 26 October 2017

I like to move it move it! It is this melody sung by Julien the Lemur, the famous animated film "Madagascar", that we celebrate this October 27th World Lemur Day!

I like to move it move it! It is this melody sung by Julien the Lemur, the famous animated film "Madagascar", that we celebrate this October 27th World Lemur Day!

In Madagascar, this event is celebrated every year with a festival of lemurs , an initiative of the Research Group on Primates (GERP). The festival will also be celebrated around the world in late October and early November, from Japan to Canada and the United States, Germany and Hungary. Consult the full program here (http://bit.ly/2y1S9a3)

Based on the theme : « Lemurs : national heritage, friends to protect », WWF encourages people to protect the forest which are lemur habitats . We do this through improved stoves (fatana mtsitsy) that save wood, and through community patrol, etc. Therefore, WWF invites people to join the movement by sharing visuals which raise awareness to protect these unique species through social networks.

Hosted by GERP, the event will be held in Antananarivo on november 10th et 11th. Awareness about lemur proctection, press conferences and debates are scheduled.

And other Regions are also celebrating ! The festival of lemurs in Tulear is organized by the Regional Bureau of Environment, Ecology and Forests. « Keep the lemurs wild » is the theme in this part of the island.
Starting on october 25 and 26, awarness sessions and movies about lemurs will be held in three high schools within the city. In total, 500 students are epected. On October 27, a big parade of lemurs will cross the city, animated by the drums of Bloco Malagasy from Bel Avenir NGO. The festival in Tulear aims to raise awarness on protecting this emblematic primates of Madagascar and the importance of protecting their habitats,especially the Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi living in the spiny forest.

Endangerd animals
Two emblematic lemurs from Madagascar are especially under threat: the Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) or Maki, in southern Madagascar, and the Silky sifaka, Propithecus candidus in the northeastern forests of Madagascar.

Ring-tailed lemur or Lemur catta :
It is the more easily recognizable lemur thanks to its long ringed tail. This lemur lives mainly in the southern spiny forest and in the southwest dry forest as well as in Andrigitra. The scientists estimate that the ring-tailed lemurs population dropped by 50% in 36 years. The reasons for this decline are the continuing degradation of their habitat and intensive poaching. That is why it is is classified as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List.

The Silky sifaka or Propithecus candidus :
It is one of the most highly endangered lemurs in Madagascar. It lives in the high altitude forests of northern Madagascar. There are about 250 adult individuals at present and this population is declining due to massive destruction of its natural habitat and hunting. It is therefore classified as "critically endangered" on the IUCN Red List.