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Makayla Urdi
Phillips
English III
7 December, 2015
Are Madagascars People Threatening Their Lemurs to Extinction?
Youd think that if an animal was almost to extinction, people would want to
take every precaution to try and save them right? That is not the case in
Madagascar; they are basically ignoring the fact and making the problem worse.
About 90% of the Lemur population is facing extinction, or are already extinct,
which leaves Madagascar with a huge disadvantage; they are losing one of the most
popular animals on their island and even in the world, but most importantly the
biodiversity on the island is decreasing.
In 2009, Madagascar was declared unstable and in poverty, which
definitely affects remote rural areas, coincidently where Lemurs live. Wellington Zoo
stated that Madagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot facing some critical
challenges, and this could ideally explain the reasons why the island is having
trouble helping the endangered species. Rainforest Trust, a nonprofit organization
that primarily focuses on saving threatened land and endangered species, actively
helping Madagascar preserve their Lemurs, and to eventually come out of
endangerment. Dr. Christoph Schwitzer says that a huge threat to Lemurs is habitat
destruction, and it only results in something very problematic that doesnt help the
issue whatsoever. If we are constantly damaging these animals in a variety of ways,
then how can we say that we want to help them? We need to carefully evaluate
what we are doing, and listen to the experts.

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Not only do experts believe theres many harmful causes to the
endangerment of Lemurs, but aware and understanding citizens and doctors believe
so too. Kim Reuter is a biology doctoral student, and she stated that over 28,000
Lemurs are being illegally kept as pets in Malagasy cities, just in three whole years
alone. This is another main cause as to the number of Lemurs not properly living in
the right habitat conditions. Leading primatologist and co-chair for the IUCN
(International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and SSC (Species Survival
Commission) Jonah Ratsimbazafy says that there is only 20% of the Lemur habitat
left. This can also tie into conservation partner with Rainforest Trusts Madagasikara
Voakajys statement that the destruction of the Lemur habitat is mostly caused by
the slash and burn agriculture, and he is working to improve this issue with the help
of local communities. Tom Dillon and Rachel Kramer from the World Wildlife Fund
reported that the increased access to species has also exacerbated the
international trade in Madagascars wildlife. While this unique species is only found
in one part of the world, surprisingly Lemurs are said to be the top highest
endangered mammal species.
There are many laws that attempt to prevent Lemurs from extinction
and their habitats from destroying, but are they truthfully effective? James Ayre
disagrees with the laws, and presents that not only are they ineffective, but
deforestation, desertification, and actually hunting these animals are increasing the
risk of extinction. Within 11 years, Madagascars island has been a host for 615 new
species, 41 of those being mammals, says Dillon and Kramer. If this island can have
over 600 added species, why cant they protect one? Climate change can play a big
role in the decrease of Lemur habitats, with a new high- tech computer model,
scientists have predicted that the average percent of Lemur species that can find

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acceptable habitats has decreased in the course of 70 years, all due to climate
change.
Lemurs are not the only animal being illegally traded or kept as pets;
tortoises in Madagascar are smuggled into different countries, and unfortunately
authorities mistake them with a common tortoise and often have trouble identifying
them, so smugglers can easily get away with it. Jenna Iacurci from Nature World
News repeats that Lemurs are indeed being illegally kept as pets, but acting upon
the law is almost non-existent. To emphasize on Lemur laws not being properly
carried out, U.S. has said that there is a massive decline in the rule of law, with a
notable lack of good governance. If other countries can notice how unacceptable of
a job you are doing, why isnt it a top priority on getting improved?
Everyone has knowledge of the fact that Lemurs are pretty much
extinct, and very minimal is being done to fix it. Gerald Durrell has published a book
which helped raise awareness in Madagascar, and interestingly has said that 90% of
the animal species exist nowhere else. That is pretty rare, and they should be taking
pride in being able to share an island with a beautiful and rare species. Ash Dykes
has partnered with the Lemur Conservation Network and has successfully raised
awareness about Lemur threats in Madagascar, sharing the stories of people who
work with saving them. These enigmatic and elusive animals says Michelle
Douglass are very special, and should be sticking around for years more with the
work of others to save them. If we can put extra effort into the saving of Lemurs,
the outcome may drastically change.

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Works Cited
Ayre, James. "28,000+ Endangered Lemurs Illegally Trafficked As Pets In Madagascar
Survival Of Multiple Species Threatened." PlanetSave. N.p., 08 Jan. 2015. Web. 06
Jan. 2016.
Bale PUBLISHED November 25, 2015, Rachael. "How the Growing Trade in One
Tortoise Puts Others at Risk." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d.
Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
Dillon, Tom, and Rachel Kramer. "Madagascar." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife
Fund, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
Douglass, Michelle. "The Future of Madagascar's Lemurs." BBC. N.p., n.d. Web. 06
Jan. 2016.
Iacurci, Jenna. "Pet Lemurs in Madagascar Threaten Species' Survival." Nature World
News RSS. N.p., 05 Jan. 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.

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Lewis, Jesse. "How Were Saving Madagascars Most Endangered Species by
Protecting Rainforests." One Green Planet. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
Madden, Richard. "Madagascar: Life after Death in the Land of the Lemur." The
Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.