Black & white ruffed lemur

Scientific Name: Varecia variegata variegata Animal Type: Mammal Location: The island of Madagascar. Conservation Status: Endangered

Profile

This very distinctive and vocal species of primitive primate is threatened with extinction in its native Madagascar, because of rapid habitat loss to an impoverished and ever expanding human population.

Black and white ruffed lemurs were first kept at Durrell’s Jersey headquarters in 1982 and those bred over the years have formed a valuable part of a captive breeding programme, so that should the worst happen in the wild, this lemur will not be lost forever.

Durrell has many well-established links with Madagascar, especially involving the conservation of lemurs. Since 1964, a great deal of expertise has been gained both in Jersey and in the wild with various species. As well as captive breeding, vitally important habitat protection, research, education and training programmes are ongoing. A number of Madagascan students have completed the course at our International Training Centre and returned home with the skills they need to carry out such work and help save their native wildlife.

Factsheets

• Black & White Lemur factsheet (50 kb)

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