Endangered Red Ruffed Lemur

Photo Ark

Endangered Red Ruffed Lemur

Scientific Name Varecia rubra

Photo Taken At Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington, Illinois, USA

IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

Population

Density estimates were recorded at 31-53 individuals/km² in Andranobe (Vasey 1997b) and 21-23 individuals/km² in Ambatonakolahy (Rigamonti 1993). Population numbers are in sharp decline due to a very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after political events of early 2009, in addition to hunting pressure, frequent cyclones and fires. Read More

Threats

The principal threats are habitat loss and hunting. Due to their large size and evident need for tall primary forest, these animals are particularly susceptible to human encroachment and, sadly, hunting and trapping for food still takes place. Furthermore, because remaining populations are concentrated on the Masoala Peninsula, they may be threatened by the frequent cyclones (hurricanes) that hit this part of Madagascar. The range of this species has also recently been heavily impacted on by the very rapid upsurge of illegal logging after the political events of early 2009, in addition to fires. Read More

Geographic Range

This species has a restricted range, primarily inhabiting the remaining primary forests of the Masoala Peninsula and the region immediately north of the Bay of Antongil in northeastern Madagascar. The Antainambalana River appears to separate this species from V. variegata, but the western and northern limits of the Red Ruffed Lemur’s range remain unclear (Mittermeier et al. 2008, and references therein). Historically, the two species overlapped in the region north of the Bay of Antongil. Recent survey work in the region has shown that the westernmost distribution of V. rubra was near the confluence of the Antainambalana and Sahantaha Rivers ... Read More

Habitat

This species has been the subject of ecological and behavioural studies in the forests of Ambatonakolahy (Rigamonti 1993) and Andranobe on the Masoala Peninsula (Vasey 1997a). An inhabitant of primary and some secondary tropical moist lowland forest (to 1200 m). It is diurnal, prefers high forest and is often observed in the crowns of large feeding trees. It is largely frugivorous. The mating season is May-July, with births occurring from September through early November after a gestation period of about 102 days. Litters range from one to five infants in captivity, but usually contain two or three, and only one ... Read More

Follow Photo Ark

Keep up with Photo Ark and Joel Sartore by following the project on Facebook and Instagram.

RECENTLY ADDED SPECIES

Andriaholinirina, N., Baden, A., Blanco, M., Chikhi, L., Cooke, A., Davies, N., Dolch, R., Donati, G., Ganzhorn, J., Golden, C., Groeneveld, L.F., Hapke, A., Irwin, M., Johnson, S., Kappeler, P., King, T., Lewis, R., Louis, E.E., Markolf, M., Mass, V., Mittermeier, R.A., Nichols, R., Patel, E., Rabarivola, C.J., Raharivololona, B., Rajaobelina, S., Rakotoarisoa, G., Rakotomanga, B., Rakotonanahary, J., Rakotondrainibe, H., Rakotondratsimba, G., Rakotondratsimba, M., Rakotonirina, L., Ralainasolo, F.B., Ralison, J., Ramahaleo, T., Ranaivoarisoa, J.F., Randrianahaleo, S.I., Randrianambinina, B., Randrianarimanana, L., Randrianasolo, H., Randriatahina, G., Rasamimananana, H., Rasolofoharivelo, T., Rasoloharijaona, S., Ratelolahy, F., Ratsimbazafy, J., Ratsimbazafy, N., Razafindraibe, H., Razafindramanana, J., Rowe, N., Salmona, J., Seiler, M., Volampeno, S., Wright, P., Youssouf, J., Zaonarivelo, J. & Zaramody, A. 2014. Varecia rubra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T22920A16121712. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T22920A16121712.en

ABOUT

EXPLORE

JOIN US

Photo Ark