The lemur, a furry primate that symbolises Madagascar's unique biodiversity, will be all but wiped out within 20 years unless drastic measures are not taken to stop loggers and locals pillaging the island's forests for profit, leading primatologists warn. All but nine of the world's 103 lemur species are at risk of extinction according to a new assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and NGO. They could be saved with a £5 million plan to help the poor, it claims. Madagascar, which has been isolated from landmasses for more than 160m years, is the world's fourth largest island and a "conservation hotspot" with thousands of exotic species found only there. The lemur is only found wild on the island, situated off Africa’s Indian Ocean coast. But decades of logging, mining and slash-and-burn farming have destroyed 90 per cent of Madagascar's forests, with around 500,000 acres going up in smoke each year. Only around 19,000 square miles remain. Read more http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...emurs-could-be-wiped-out-within-20-years.html
Is it just me, or is this absolutely horrifying to know? Like how are kids going to watch Zoboomafoo now knowing that the only Lemur left might be the one on the show. Really? Post your thoughts guys! Post post post!
