Black & White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata)

Fact File:

• Often mistaken for monkeys, lemurs are actually more primitive primates that are found only on the island of Madagascar.
  
  
• Lemurs are less intelligent than monkeys, and have a wet nose.
  
  
• There are at least 60 different species, including the Black and White Ruffed and Ring-tailed.
  
  
• Black and White Ruffed lemurs are criticially endangered and live in small groups in the rainforests of Madagascar, using loud calls to keep in touch with each other.
  
  
• Lemurs eat fruit and leaves.
  
  
• Lemur mothers usually have two or three babies at once.

Why are Lemurs endangered?

Many species of lemur are currently threatened with extinction. This is mainly due to habitat loss, as the population of Madagascar is increasing rapidly. As cities expand, more land is needed for agriculture so the rainforest is cleared to provide the space. Trees are also logged to provide wood for paper and building materials.

Lemurs are also under threat from the illegal pet trade. Poachers will take the young from a family of lemurs, and sell them to pet traders. Sadly, many of the young lemurs do not survive.

Black and White Ruffed lemurs, like our pair here at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, are classed as 'Critically Endangered'.

Ring-tailed lemurs also suffer from human impacts in the wild but to a lesser extent, and so are classified as 'Near Threatened'. We have a family group of 3 Ring-tailed lemurs here at Noah's Ark.

How can we help?

Most wood products in the UK are sourced from logging companies in the northern hemisphere, but make sure the products you buy are sustainably logged. Look out for the logo of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), on everything from furniture to toilet paper, so that you know you are not contributing to deforestation.

The lemurs at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm are healthy and contented and may breed in the next few years. Hopefully we can help the species to thrive here to the benefit of lemur conservation globally.