Wild Lemur Conservation and Welfare

Madagascar lemurs are the most threatened group of mammals on Earth, with habitat loss, hunting, and climate change combining to create a welfare crisis for over 100 species.

Key Facts

Over 98% of lemur species are threatened with extinction — the highest proportion of any mammal group
Forest clearing for slash-and-burn agriculture has destroyed over 90% of Madagascar original forest
Many lemur species are hunted for bushmeat, particularly following cyclones that disrupt crop availability
Climate change is altering rainfall patterns in Madagascar, stressing ecosystems lemurs depend on
Duke Lemur Center and in-country organizations manage both captive breeding and habitat protection

Welfare Considerations

Wild lemur welfare is inseparable from the ecological crisis in Madagascar. Individuals experience habitat loss that fragments their ranges and reduces food availability. Hunting causes acute suffering for those caught in snares or killed for bushmeat. Climate-related food shortages cause nutritional stress across populations. Conservation programs that support both habitat protection and community economic alternatives to bushmeat hunting simultaneously improve conservation outcomes and individual lemur welfare, showing how the two goals are deeply aligned in this context.

What You Can Do

Support Madagascar conservation organizations like Lemur Conservation Network
Donate to programs providing community economic alternatives to bushmeat hunting
Choose certified sustainable products that support Madagascar conservation programs
Engage with the lemur conservation crisis through citizen science and fundraising