Wildlife

Lemur Conservation and the Bushmeat Trade

Madagascar lemurs face extinction from habitat destruction and hunting for bushmeat, with over 100 species now threatened.

Key Facts

Over 105 lemur species exist, all endemic to Madagascar, and over 100 are now threatened
Subsistence and commercial bushmeat hunting has intensified during periods of political instability
Lemur habitat has been reduced by over 90% through slash-and-burn agriculture
Lemurs have the slowest life history rates of any primate making population recovery very slow
Community-based conservation programs linking forest protection to local livelihoods show promise

Welfare Considerations

Lemurs killed for bushmeat die through a range of methods including snares and blunt trauma that cause significant suffering. Their slow reproduction means that individual deaths have outsized population impacts. Conservation programs that provide alternative income and protein sources while protecting forests address welfare at both individual and population levels.

What You Can Do

Support Madagascar conservation organizations working on community-based lemur protection
Donate to lemur rescue and rehabilitation programs within Madagascar
Advocate for international support for Madagascar forest protection in development funding
Learn about the extraordinary diversity of lemur species and the urgency of their conservation
Oppose deforestation-linked commodities sourced from Madagascar