Tattoo by Jeff Gogue.
The Ring-Tailed Lemur is a primate native to Madagascar. They are considered ‘near threatened’ by the IUCN, and their numbers are declining. The two greatest threats to this lemur are hunting and habitat loss. Scientists believe this species’ population has undergone reduction of at least 20-25% over just the last 24 years.
Madagascar is one of the most fascinating places on earth. An isolated island, it is responsible for 36% of all primate families and houses all of the world’s 50+ species of lemurs. Researchers continuously find new species of plants and animals on the island. In fact, a new lemur species was discovered just last week. It is a long-tongued, squirrel-size lemur and has yet to be named. The species was first found in 1995 by Conservation International President and primatologist, Russ Mittermeier. However, he was unable to follow up on his find until this past October.
“It is particularly remarkable that we continue to find new species of lemurs and many other plants and animals in this heavily impacted country, which has already lost 90 percent or more of its original vegetation,” said Mittermeier. Indeed, Madagascar suffers from some of the most extensive habitat destruction and deforestation on our planet. This new discovery highlights the fact that we are likely losing species faster than we can find them.
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