ohmymymyohohmy t1_iqmgokq wrote
Do you see any positive steps towards lemurs and the people of Madagascar living side by side? The poverty there must make the demand for land great. Are there ways for people to make a living while lemurs live in the same are? Or do lemurs need habitat that is has no human land use ?
UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmqed2 wrote
Lemurs are under threat mainly from the illegal burning of their habitat by people for conversion to rice plantations.
75% of the population around Lac Alaotra rely on fishing and weaving products as their main source of income. A healthy marshland leads to healthy fish stocks and a
self-sustaining growth of vegetation, both directly benefitting the
local community and economy.
However, there are several projects led by the international network of zoos and NGOs focused on the protection of this endangered species of lemurs and their habitat.
I think that we are heading to the right direction, working on education programmes with local communities and supporting eco-tourisms (which is the primary way for people to make a living while lemurs inhabit the same area). Nevertheless, the situation is really bad and we must act immediately if we want to help people and save animals.
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