Hapalemur alaotrensis feed on marsh vegetation, almost exclusively reeds and papyrus plants within a territory of up to five acres. As highly territorial animals, they chase rival groups away with vocalisations and body language displays. They are cathemeral, meaning they follow irregular patterns of activity each day.
Fun Fact – They are the only primates who live exclusively in wetlands, and they are strong swimmers!
-
Ecology
-
Threats
The most severe threat to gentle lemurs is habitat loss as 6% of marsh habitats get drained annually to be converted to rice fields or cattle grazing lands. Each year, over 1,000 lemurs are hunted for food or as pets, with methods ranging from hunting dogs and snares to burning their habitat to herd them into the hands of hunters. Burning the reed beds also causes soil erosion, which weakens the overall habitat. As of 2018, they were assessed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
-
Conservation
Projects are ongoing to restore the reed bed habitat by removing invasive plant species such as water hyacinth which reduce water quality and outcompete the reeds that gentle lemurs rely on. Local people are being educated on the benefits of protecting their habitat as it improves human access to the lake for fishing. Lac Alaotra and its 722,500-ha watershed is now protected and hunting of these lemurs is banned. A sustained population is also in captive in European zoos. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to safeguard future generations of these lemurs from extinction.
Take action today
Together we can end the extinction crisis
Preserved January 2024
Help us turn the tide on extinction
At least 50 distinct genetic lines are needed to save each species.
On average, it takes £100 to preserve cell and tissue sample from one animal. That’s at least £5,000 to preserve an entire species.
Make a monthly donation to safeguard the future of our natural world.
Donate Now
Fundraise for us
Sponsor a Fundraising Hero embarking on a challenge, or plan your own fundraiser to support us.
Get Started
Corporate participation
Explore opportunities to develop a corporate partnership with us.
Get Started
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Common Eland
Total Population: 90,000 to 110,000 in the wild
Siamang Gibbon
Total Population: Around 22,000 in the wild
Bar-headed goose
Total Population: 97,000 - 118,000 in the wild
Owston’s palm civet
Total Population: Unknown
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Sloth bear
Total Population: Less than 20,000 in the wild
Inca Tern
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Capybara
Total Population: Unknown
Nile Lechwe
Total Population: 30,000 - 40,000 in the wild
Fea’s tree frog
Total Population: Unknown
Clouded Leopard
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
Red Panda
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Guianan Squirrel Monkey
Total Population: Around 150,000 in the wild
Argentine black and white tegu
Total Population: Unknown
Brandt’s vole
Total Population: Unknown
Pygmy marmoset
Total Population: Unknown
Mandarin duck
Total Population: Around 65,000 in the wild