Safeguarding the Black Lemur
🇲🇬 Species: Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco)
📍 Location: Dudley, West Midlands, England & Sahamalaza National Park, Sofia, Madagascar
🔑 Key Partner: EAZA Prosimian TAG & Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL)
🏆 We coordinate the EAZA EEP for the black lemur. The EAZA EEP aims to create a large genetically diverse population of black lemurs in captivity as insurance, in case the wild population continues to decline.
Lemurs are prosimians, a type of primate, found only on the island of Madagascar – where they evolved in isolation. Unlike monkeys, lemurs have a moist nose and rely more heavily on their sense of smell. There are over 100 species of lemur, and new species continue to be described by scientists.
Black lemurs are found in North-Western Madagascar, in the rainforests of the Sambirano region. They live in small social groups (4-15 individuals) and forage in the canopy layer, feeding on fruit, leaves, seeds, flowers, nectar and invertebrates.
🚩 What is the problem?
Lemurs are among the most threatened groups of mammals on the planet. Under The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, 98% of lemurs are threatened with extinction and 33% of lemurs are critically endangered. Since the arrival of humans on Madagascar 2,000 years ago, at least 17 lemur species have gone extinct. The largest, Archaeoindris fontoynontii, was the size of a gorilla and weighed over 180 kilograms.
The majority of lemurs are threatened with habitat loss, as well as hunting and invasive species. The main threats to black lemurs are habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for bushmeat and the pet trade.
🫶 How are we helping?
Dudley Zoo & Castle is a member of the European Association of Zoos & Aquariums (EAZA). EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs), are population management programmes (currently supporting over 500 animal species) coordinated by experts from EAZA Membership.
We are proud to coordinate the Black Lemur EAZA EEP, which aims to create a large genetically diverse population of black lemurs in European zoos as insurance, in case the wild population continues to decline.
Although there is no immediate plan to reintroduce black lemurs back into the wild, the EEP population is recognised as a potential future source to build up wild populations in Madagascar through reintroduction. The EEP has a range of secondary aims relating to conservation training, research and education. The black lemur EAZA EEP is coordinated by DZC’s Conservation & Development Coordinator, Jack Williams, who also sits on the EAZA Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group (TAG).
Alongside our work with the black lemur EAZA EEP and the EAZA Prosimian TAG, Dudley Zoo & Castle provides financial support to the Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL). The AEECL is a zoo managed conservation organisation based in Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park in Madagascar. The main aims of the charity are based on the conservation of the lemur species within the park, with specific focus on the critically endangered blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons).
Since 2016, Dudley Zoo & Castle has contributed over £26,000 to AEECL.
Dudley Zoo & Castle cares for two other species of lemur; the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). Both species are managed through EAZA EEPs.
💗 How can you help?
Simply by visiting Dudley Zoo & Castle, you are supporting lemur conservation. Support us further by…
