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TOTAL FUNDS RAISED FOR LEMUR CONSERVATION:
£2,600
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LEMUR FUNDAY
3rd June 2010
All the proceeds from our annual Lemur Fundays go towards
the ‘Madagascar Fauna Group’, who are working hard to preserve
what is left of this unique island, and the only place in the world
you will find these enchanting primates.
LEMUR FUNDAY 2011 will be held on:
2nd June 2011
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THE MADAGASCAR FAUNA GROUP
The Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG) was formed at the request of the Malagasy government officials to help conserve Madagascar's unique biological heritage. Before the group was created, zoos wanting to operate projects in Madagascar had to enter a complex process of government agreements. There was also a lack of continuity with projects which were established, with dubious records. All of which made conservation work in Madagascar extremely difficult.
The formation of the MFG has since enabled zoos to work under a common set of bylaws allowing them to be recognised and assisted by the Malagasy government.
Madagascar's Black and White ruffed lemurs are at the forefront of the MFG's conservation programme for the Betapona Reserve, with the population down to just 35! The MFG is now introducing lemurs born in zoos, back into the wild.
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ABOUT MADAGASCAR
Madagascar is an island off the Southeast coast of Africa. It is the 4th largest island in the world, with a population of 15 million.
75% of the animals found on Madagascar are 'endemic species' - only found on the island.
Madagascar is an extremely poor country. 90% of the island's forests have been cleared for logging or grazing land for farm animals.
Madagascar's other major environmental problems include agricultural fires, erosion and soil degradation, over-exploitation of living resources and the introduction of alien species.
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LEMUR FACT FILE
'Lemur' is Roman for 'spirits of the dead'. They were given their name by Portuguese explorers in the 1500's who were roused from their campfire and frozen stiff by the burning amber eyes shining through the surrounding undergrowth.
Lemurs live in the tree canopy and use their tails for balance as they leap from between the trees. Some will scavenge on the ground, such as the Ring-tail Lemur and smaller species tend to be nocturnal using the security of darkness to forage for leaves, fruits and insects.
Being sociable animals, they live in small groups and spend time playing, cuddling and grooming with their six gappy teeth which act like a comb.
Females rule the troop and can live up to 25 years. They spend their whole lives with the same group unlike the males who live a nomadic life travelling from troop to troop.
Males smear their tails with scent and use them to fight other males in dramatic combat to mate with the females.
Known as 'nature's jewel', for many years biologists have been captivated by Madagascar's high degree of endemism and biodiversity.
 There are over 50 kinds of lemur on the island of Madagascar, ranging from the tiny Pygmy Mouse Lemur, which weighs less than an ounce, to the 15lb heavy weight Sifaka. In the last few years, biologists working in Madagascar have reported the discovery of six new species of lemur, unique to the island. One of which is a bamboo-eating lemur, which manages to devour enough cyanide-laced bamboo each day, which could kill a man.
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THE PROBLEM
Over the last decade, deforestation has ravaged the island. This, along with other issues such as animals being hunted for food, has put virtually all of Madagascar's native species at risk of extinction.
Many species of lemur have already disappeared. One of the lost species was known to be a giant lemur, standing as tall as a 28 stone gorilla.
How many more species will disappear?
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Lemur Fun Day - 25th August 2009
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The 2009 Lemur Funday was held at Shepreth Wildlife Park on the 25th August.
All the money raised went to the Madagascar Fauna Group to help with working on the conservation projects, such as saving the lemurs, in the field.
You can also buy lemur merchandise and lemur toys to support the MFG or why not try our 'Meet the Lemur' experience here at Shepreth Wildlife Park? We donate £5 from every experience to help save wild lemurs.
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