Ring-tailed Lemur
Ring-tailed Lemur is endemic to Madagascar. The species has a large but fragmented range, with low population densities. The numbers are decreasing. The main threats are hunting and habitat loss. In addition to annual burning of forests and bush to free territories for new pastures, over-grazing and felling of trees for charcoal production, the species suffers also from droughts that have become more frequent in southern Madagascar.
Conservation
■ Listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2014.
■ The species is managed under the EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme), it is coordinated by Parco Natura Viva, Bussolengo.
■ Listed in Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, or Washington Convention).
Taxonomy
■ Phylum Chordata – chordates
■ Class Mammalia – mammals
■ Order Primates – primates
■ Family Lemuridae – lemurs (Ring-tailed Lemur and allies)
■ Species Lemur catta – Ring-tailed Lemur