By Jemimah Chungu
In recent years, political and socioeconomic environments were excited by the resurrection of lemurs after years of hibernation. The excitement was based on these species’ importance to the environment in terms of Eco-biodiversity, tourism and scientific research.
Lemurs are fauna species of the lemuroidea family which are indigenous to the woodlands of Madagascar. Lemurs are also described as primates alongside people, apes and monkeys.
They are unique species with a romantic lifestyle; female dominated, family and community oriented minus human interference.
Regrettably, over 100 lemurs primates were listed on the IUCN Red list for extinction. Lemurs have come under a new threat because of human invasion of woodlands in Madagascar. There’s growing fear that the ongoing invasion will destabilize the environment at large.
In addition, there’s is a lot of deforestation in the woodlands of Madagascar due to the economic status of the country. People cut trees for food cultivation and energy many other reasons. Human caused deforestation has fueled the endangering of lemurs. This is because trees naturally habitat these species and are sources of food. Trees regulate the temperature of the immediate environment in addition.
Deforestation on it’s own is human induced loss of biodiversity. Deforestation also contributes to climate change which directly and ultimately affects fauna.
In the wild of Madagascar particularly, lemurs and other primates have been spotted staying on the ground which is unnatural due to the loss of habitats (trees), and the climate change crisis (fueled by deforestation). This is a major drive to the threat of these species.
Moreover, an outbreak of tuberculosis was reported at a Madagascar Zoo this month and it killed many endangered primate species including critically endangered lemurs species.
October 28, 2022 was dedicated as ‘The World Lemurs Day’ to celebrate lemuroidea across the planet and bring awareness and save endangered lemurs species.
