Lemurs Far More Endangered Than We Thought

By Mat McDermott, TreeHugger

In fact, Madagascar’s iconic endemic primates are the most threatened mammal group in the world, with 91 percent of lemurs threatened with extinction. That’s what a new assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has found.

Of the 103 different species of lemur, 23 are now listed as critically endangered, 52 are endangered, 19 are vulnerable. Just 6 species are not considered to be on the endangered scale, with 2 being near-threatened and 3 being of least concern. For 4 lemur species we don’t have enough data to determine their status.

The most endangered of the critically endangered lemur species, the northern sportive lemur has just 18 known individuals alive.

The last time such an assessment was done, in 2005, 10 species were considered critically endangered and 21 were endangered. Conservation International cites the increase in threats to lemurs, as well as the increase in recognized lemur species, as being behind the dramatic jump in endangered lemur species.

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LMj S.

3:51PM PST on Nov 5, 2012

Thank you for article.

November 5
send a green star

Knut F.

7:23AM PDT on Oct 9, 2012

People should ask the animals if they want them around, otherwise just respect them and let them live in their habitats!

October 9
send a green star

Danuta W.

3:31AM PDT on Sep 11, 2012

Very good article, thanks

September 11
send a green star

Elizabeth M.

1:20PM PDT on Sep 9, 2012

I love these animals so much. Just wish people wouldn't keep them as pets.

September 9
send a green star

Alicia N.

10:15PM PDT on Sep 6, 2012

sadly noted but thanks for this info. and great picture

September 6
send a green star

Giana P.

4:03AM PDT on Sep 6, 2012

They must be preserved! How could we live without them?

Valerie A.

7:07PM PDT on Aug 3, 2012

Thanks

August 3
send a green star

Dale O.

8:25AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

So many unique and fascinating animals, birds, insects and others face endangerment and need to be preserved. Lemurs are one of these at risk and their survival in necessary to keep Nature in harmony with the Earth.