The Red Ruffed Lemur
Social Reasons For Endangerment
Red ruffed lemurs have an important and influential ecological niche, the absence of which could put the surrounding ecosystem at risk of collapse! These lemurs are known as an indicator species, and a keystone species, their role as a keystone meaning (in their case) pollinators and seed spreaders (Red Ruffed Lemur). There are so many aspects to the Red Ruffed Lemur that help their environment; it’s incredibly sad and alarming that they are critically endangered.
Illegal Hunting (Bushmeat):
Residents interviewed in 15 of 16 villages (94%) near the Antainambalana River still trap and eat Varecia despite knowing that it is prohibited by law (Rakotondratsima, 2007). Many villagers were aware of the declining numbers of ruffed lemurs, and suggested that their absence might be due to forest clearing and hunting in other areas, but not their own. Also, many villagers from all around the Masoala Peninsula confirmed that the red ruffed lemur had disappeared from areas adjacent to villages where they had been present in the previous 5 years. However, it could be argued that these indigenous human populations are operating in their rights by hunting endangered lemur populations, since their ancestors did the same for at least two thousand years (Selby, 2009).
Exotic Pet Trade:
The official population of the Red Ruffed Lemur is not known, but it is estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals in the wild (Kerstein, 2014). However what is known is the 591 individuals worldwide in captivity. Many of these individuals, including those currently residing in zoos or captive breeding programmes, were taken from poachers in the exotic pet trade. Nonprofit organizations like Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Florida Branch) help to prevent the distribution of exotic pets like the red ruffed lemur once they have crossed into other countries.
Sensitive to Environmental Change:
Due to the ruffed lemurs large size and apparent need for intact primary forest, it is particularly susceptible to human encroachment and possibly selective cutting of the most precious hardwoods (ie rosewood) which, unfortunately has been occurring all over Madagascar since the start of the most recent political crisis, in which political opposition attempted to oust the president. Red Ruffed Lemur females have very specific nesting requirements, and give birth to litters of up to six infants (two or three is more typical) in well concealed, well constructed nests 10 to 20 meters up a tree (Wild Madagascar, 2012). Ruffed lemurs are the only diurnal (day) primates in the world to keep their infants in a nest, which is surprising given how brief the gestation period is and how undeveloped Red Ruffed Lemur infants are at birth. Already, 60% of Red Ruffed Lemur infants will not survive due to falls from the nests or predators like the fossa (Rakotondratsima, 2007). With the increase of illegal logging and hunting, that number unfortunately can only grow.
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