The Red Ruffed Lemur
Give Them A Fighting Chance
Olivia's Opinion:
The red ruffed lemur is arguably one of the most exquisite creatures to leap about the rainforest canopy with such ease. The red ruffed lemur is not only an important part of the Madagascan ecosystem, but they also bring much joy and promote curiosity throughout the human race. Ruffed lemurs are endemic to the northeastern - deeply forested - portions of Madagascar. The problem is that their only habitat is being extensively destroyed by the growing human population. And it’s not just habitat destruction that's the problem, it’s the ignorance of people promoting the demolition of an entire species (and many others) through tolerance of the pet trade, illegal logging, and bushmeat.
As the main contributors to the degradation of the lemur’s habitat we have a duty to preserve and protect their homes from the clearing of their forests. The red ruffed lemur provides valuable functions within the forest’s ecosystem. They will harvest the sweet nectars and fruits from the large, old trees within their territories and both pollinate with their slim pollen dusted snouts and disperse fruit seeds once they have finished consuming them. The lemurs also play a special role in their ecosystem by coordinating with other monkey species by participating in predatory alerts. They will sound an alarm that can be heard through acres of the forest and recognized through the species.
Although for the native and well established people living within or near the lemurs protected corridor depend on them for things such as bush meat for meals and trade - these animals have been so heavily exploited already that their population cannot take much more. These lemurs are crippled by their own cuteness as well. People from all over the globe want to have a pet primate, and the red ruffed lemur, being the largest (and most eloquently colored) of its kind, is a novelty. Participating in the pet trade is already a crime, but it is told by reports that even the enforcers of these laws have their own red ruffed lemurs on leashes, perfectly demonstrating how under enforced and protected these species really are.
The red ruffed lemur is one of the only species of primate known to have multiple offspring, up to four. This makes them a perfect candidate for breeding and release programs. The problem is that they are confined to such small protected regions and when they stray from these areas they are almost immediately captured and killed. These are also social creatures and genetic diversity plays a key role in the species ability to survive over generations. During the breeding season the group size will grow to widen the gene pool but with fewer specimens there is less of a buffer against inbreeding - which can result in entire generations becoming genetically crippled.
Not only do I believe that the red ruffed lemurs have a right to be rescued and given a fighting chance to reestablish themselves in the wild. I want my generation and many after mine to have the same ability to learn about the wonders of the animal kingdom rather than have the burden of worrying about the collapse of it.
Opinions on Saving the Red Ruffed Lemurs
Through our extensive research on the Red Ruffed Lemur, we have found that these lemurs deserve a fighting chance at survival for many different reasons. This is what we've concluded.
Ignorance Is Not Bliss, These Creatures Need Our Help
Ryan's Opinion:
Out of sight, out of mind. This common expression has more merit than one might expect, and this is certainly the case for the red ruffed lemur. It’s easy to ignore the plight of an endangered animal species if they are located a long way away. Unfortunately, as in the case of the red ruffed lemur, the most far-removed species are usually endemic only to a specific area, such as the tiny Masoala Peninsula on the isolated island of Madagascar. But in my opinion, the red ruffed lemur shouldn’t be just another checkmark on the list of extinct species. I believe that more effort should be put toward saving critically endangered and endemic species such as the red ruffed lemur because of the vital role they play in the local ecosystem, as well as the fact that humans are literally the sole reason that this species, and many others like it, are going extinct.
Before I go any further, I would like to take this space to acknowledge any opposing viewpoints. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, and there are some claims for the continued slaughter of the primate species Varecia rubra that could possibly be seen as legitimate. I do not consider the continued deaths of the lemurs due to the interests and pursuits of the logging companies and timber industry on Madagascar to be legitimate. Already, Only 22% of the area surveyed in the region north of the Bay of Antongil was considered primary or secondary forest (Rakotondratsima, 2007). Increased logging would only create more problems. As far as I’m concerned, the only legitimate claims are those belonging to the indigenous tribes of Madagascar who have been hunting these species for thousands of years. In nearby areas, residents interviewed in 15 of 16 villages (94%) trap and eat bush meat despite knowing that it is prohibited by law (Rakotondratsima, 2007). Many of these same villagers were aware of the declining numbers of ruffed lemurs, and suggested that their absence might be due to forest clearing and hunting. I understand the historic needs of these people, and I do not wish to insult or alter their traditions in any way. But if they would like their children and their grandchildren to also be able to interact with these species, they need to stop hunting them right now. Currently, 93 of the known 103 lemur taxa (90%) are classified as at least vulnerable (Reuter, 2015). These species need to be completely protected, or else we will lose them forever.
The red ruffed lemur isn’t a species whose only redeeming quality is its cuteness; Varecia Rubra actually performs a vital role in the local ecosystem. It is an important food source to predators like the fossa. Their diet consists mostly of fruit, nectar and pollen—they are considered the most frugivorous of all the lemurs—meaning it distributes seeds of fruit trees through its scat (Encyclopedia of Life, 2015).When appropriate flowers are available, like those of the hardwood tree species(rosewood, baobab, etc.), the lemurs eagerly feed on nectar by sticking their long noses deep into the flower. During this feeding, the flowers are not harmed, but the lemur’s snouts become coated with pollen, which is then transported to other flowers (Fraily, 2014). Thus, for certain species of plants in the tropical forests of Madagascar, the ruffed lemur is an important pollinator. However, many of the larger fruit trees essential for the survival of the ruffed lemur are also regarded as the most desirable hardwoods by logging interests, and are often the first to be cut down when a forest is selectively cut. Thus, the presence of healthy populations of ruffed lemurs is also considered an important indicator of the health of a tropical forest. Some authorities estimate as much as 85–90% of primary vegetation, or lemur habitat, has already been lost (Reuter, 2015).
The lemur species is the most endangered vertebrate on Earth, beating all other mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish (Selby, 2009). This is mostly due to influences from humans. Even when we first discovered Madagascar, humans quickly went to work on the island's lemurs, reducing the number of species found in Madagascar by at least 15 (Frailey, 2014). The largest remaining lemur species today, the Indri, would have been dwarfed by the gorilla-sized species once found on the island. This human impact has only increased over the centuries. A population reduction of ≥80% is suspected to be met over the next three generations (24 years, assuming a generation length of 8 years) (Andriaholinirina, 2012). This is based on a continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat due to a very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after political events of early 2009, in addition to exploitation through unsustainable hunting pressure, and frequent cyclones (Andriaholinirina, 2012). Varecia rubra is currently listed as critically endangered, and will without a doubt disappear if something isn’t done soon.
To sum it all up, in my opinion, the red ruffed lemur is definitely worth saving. I propose a total ban on hunting, as well as logging in any area where a red ruffed lemur is sighted(this should include their large territory requirements). Varecia rubra is an important pollinator for the hardwood tree species, a distributor of the seeds and pits of fruit trees, and a vital food source for native predators. The red ruffed lemur has plenty of problems already due to taking 2 years to reach sexual maturity, and a gestation period of 103 days (Encyclopedia of Life, 2015). Moreover, approximately 60 percent of the young won’t make it due to falls from the nest or predators (Frailey, 2014). They led a challenging life even before encountering humans. There is no need to see this vital keystone species turn into another checkmark on the extinct species list.
These Lemurs are Valid, Important Creatures
Caitlin's Opinion:
With only 1000 to 10,000 red ruffed lemurs left in the wild, it is difficult to decide whether society should even make an effort to save them. But in my opinion, after extensive research on the species, I have concluded that red ruffed lemurs are very worth saving; not only are they important to their environment, otherwise known as the forests of Madagascar, but they also provide many environmental and economical services to the people that live in Madagascar as well. Many plants and animals depend on the survival of the lemurs, because, as they feed from plant to plant, they spread seeds and pollen throughout the forest (Reuter, 2015). When new plants grow, they provide food and shelter for animals such as snakes, chameleons, geckos, and Fossa (Reuter, 2015). If we make no effort to conserve the lemurs, many tree and flower species on the island will likely die out, as well as the many animals that depend on lemurs to regrow these plants. Along with this, a couple of the tree species that these lemurs pollinate are actually precious hardwoods, like Rosewood, for example; these hardwoods are harvested and sold by the people of Madagascar (Red Ruffed Lemur. Duke Lemur Center). If the precious hardwood trees die out, then these people would be losing one of their main sources of income on the island. It would be disastrous to their economy and many would struggle just, perhaps, to keep their families alive. Because these lemurs are such beautiful and intelligent animals, they provide a million dollar industry of ecotourism for the island of Madagascar (Reuter, 2015). It is important for us to save them, because without them there would be no reason for people to come and see the lemurs, and this industry would collapse, causing Madagascar to lose an even more devastating amount of money. Madagascar's environment and economy depends on these lemurs to survive and thrive, so it is vital that we do everything in our power to support and conserve them.
One very important aspect to the conservation of these lemurs, is that they are actually able to be conserved. Many endangered species are too depleted to save, or even bring back into the wild; though the population of the red ruffed lemur is small, there are still enough to preserve their genetic diversity, meaning that they have a large enough gene pool to survive diversely. If we stop the poaching, illegal logging, and habitat degradation that these lemurs are suffering from, their species has an amazing chance at survival. In my opinion, we should fight to conserve any endangered species that has a chance at survival. Not only are they important to their environment, but they have a right to live on Earth; humans are the number one reason that endangered species go extinct, so we should be the number one reason that endangered species survive as well. These lemurs are vitally important to their island, and they, too, have a right to live on Earth, so we are obligated to protect them and ensure their safety.
