Madagascar lemurs on the verge of extinction

Of all the animals that are currently living on the brink of extinction, lemurs of Madagascar who are closest to the brink of extinction.


The results of recent studies quoted by LiveScience page mentions, the animals of the order of primates is probably the most endangered group of vertebrates on Earth among the other mammals.

According to conservation experts who gathered at a workshop this week the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Antanarivo, the capital of Madagascar, as many as 91 percent of the 103 species of lemurs are known to be under threat of extinction.

In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, currently 23 species of lemurs are classified in the "critically endangered", 52 species "endangered" and 19 species of "vulnerable" species.

"We believe that lemurs are probably the most endangered vertebrate groups than others," said lead researcher, Christoph Schwitzer primatologists of Bristol Zoo Gardens, UK, in a statement.

"It is surprising to see so far Madagascar has the highest proportion of species threat from habitat area to another in this country and in other countries in the world," says Schwitzer who is also advisor to the IUCN Primate Madagascar.

Same with lemurs, lemurs belong to a group called the prosimian primate. Animals whose size varies from 30 grams to nine pounds was just living in the wild in Madagascar.

Species of lemur called the "critically endangered" species this week include indri, the largest lemur lifelong monogamy actor who became sacred species in Madagascar.

In addition, there was Madame Berthe mouse lemur, the world's smallest lemur that weighs 30 grams, and blue-eyed black lemurs.

Scientists connect the rapidly deteriorating status of lemur habitat with destruction of tropical forests in Madagascar, where political turmoil has increased poverty and increased deforestation.