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 In the first attempt to recover a species’ former distribution
in Madagascar, two species of lemur, black and white ruffed lemurs
(Varecia variegata variegata) and the diademed sifaka (Propithecus
diadema) will be re-introduced into their historical habitat.
Analamazaotra was initially part of a continuous forest with
Mantadia National Park to the west and Maromiza Classified Forest
to the west. All are now isolated fragments of forest with Mantadia
consisting of 150 sq. km. and Analamazaotra of 8.1 sq. km. In
most of Madagascar, lemurs are under continuous pressure from
illegal poaching as a food source. Large bodied lemurs are coveted
most of all since they offer a larger source of meat. The black
and white ruffed lemur was last found at Analamazaotra in 1976
and the diademed sifaka was last seen in 1973, both due to hunting
pressure.
The Madagascan National Parks has developed a plan with Omaha’s
Henry Doorly Zoo to close one of the tourist routes in Analamazaotra
(while opening a new one), to begin a reforestation program between
Mantadia National Park and Analamazaotra, and finally to re-introduce
the two lemur species back into Analamazaotra. Since both Mantadia
and Maromiza still contain these two species, these two forest
tracts will be the source of the initial founding populations
(two groups of each species). This initial introduction will
be maintained through long-term group monitoring. To ensure the
genetic viability of the translocated populations, continual
gene flow of genetic material will be done through artificial
insemination of banked semen from nearby populations.
The Minnesota Zoo’s Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program awarded “The
re-introduction of the Black and White Ruffed Lemur and the Diademed
Sifaka to Analamazaotra Special Reserve Forest, Madagascar” $2300
in 2005 for its efforts to restore these lemur populations to
their historical range. Staff champion for this project is Fred
Swengel, Tropics Zookeeper.
Photograph courtesy of David Haring, Duke University Primate
Center
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