Could and should the ring tailed lemur be replaced by other lemur species in zoos ?

[TeaLovingDave]

2,500 ring tailed lemurs in captivity ?! and only 75 black blue-eyed lemurs ?!

Well, as noted that's merely 2500 in accredited zoos which reported their figures back to the authors of the book (a rather long list which, incidentally, includes the aforementioned Christoph Schwitzer) with many more - perhaps twice as many - in captivity elsewhere!

I find it really quite scary actually this evident scarcity of some species kept ex-situ.

Indeed - as noted many of the species mentioned are now absent entirely from captivity, or nearly so. There are a few success stories however - for instance the number of Microcebus lehilahytsara in Europe is now somewhere in the region of 140 individuals, thanks in large part to the massive breeding colony at Zurich, which is free-roaming in the Masoala house.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Obviously the figures which follow are a decade out-of-date, but as it happens a book released in 2010 (Lemurs of Madagascar 3rd Edition Mittermeier et al) - gave fairly precise numbers for how many individuals of each lemur species were held in captivity at the time of writing. These provide an interesting insight into just how heavily weighted towards Ring-tailed Lemur captive populations of lemurs are.

It's also interesting to see a number of species now entirely absent from captivity which were still held in 2009, and several others which are on the verge of disappearing:

Microcebus murinus - c.150 individuals worldwide
Microcebus mamirata - 4 individuals in Madagascar
Microcebus rufus - 4 individuals in Madagascar
Microcebus jollyae - 4 individuals in Madagascar
Microcebus lehilahytsara - c.24 individuals in Europe and Madagascar
Microcebus simmonsi - 4 individuals in Madagascar
Microcebus mittermeieri - 4 individuals in Madagascar
----
Mirza zaza - 6 individuals in USA and Europe
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Cheirogaleus medius - c.50 individuals in USA and Europe
Cheirogaleus major - 5 individuals in Europe and Madagascar
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Hapalemur griseus griseus - 16 individuals in USA and Europe
Hapalemur griseus gilberti - unstated number of individuals in Madagascar
Hapalemur griseus ranomafanensis - "several" individuals in Madagascar
Hapalemur occidentalis - 18 individuals in Europe
Hapalemur alaotrensis - 66 individuals in Europe
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Prolemur simus - 19 individuals in Europe and Madagascar
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Lemur catta - 2500 individuals in zoos worldwide, and "many more in smaller roadside collections, laboratories, and the pet trade"
----
Eulemur fulvus - c.160 individuals worldwide
Eulemur rufus / Eulemur rufifrons - unclear numbers due to taxonomic confusion - both species found in "a number of collections worldwide"
Eulemur albifrons - c.150 individuals worldwide
Eulemur sanfordi - 6 individuals in USA
Eulemur cinereiceps - 12 individuals in Europe
Eulemur collaris - 37 individuals in USA and Europe
Eulemur macaco - c.160 individuals worldwide
Eulemur flavifrons - 75 individuals worldwide
Eulemur coronatus - c.100 individuals worldwide
Eulemur rubriventer - 165 individuals worldwide
Eulemur mongoz - 111 individuals worldwide
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Varecia variegata variegata - c.770 individuals worldwide
Varecia variegata subcincta - 38 individuals in Europe
Varecia rubra - 590 individuals worldwide
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Propithecus coronatus - 19 individuals in Europe and Madagascar
Propithecus coquereli - c.55 individuals in USA and Madagascar
Propithecus diadema - 2 individuals in USA and Madagascar
----
Daubentonia madagascariensis - c.50 individuals worldwide

.

Looking at some of these species I really hope that their numbers have been bolstered ex-situ in the decade since Mittermeier published this report.

As you've said the numbers really are stacked heavily in the favour of the ring tailed lemur and to the detriment in my opinion of other species of lemur.

I do believe that in-situ work in Madagascar is vitally important for conserving the island biodiversity but I also believe ex-situ outside the range country plays an important and critical role.

Therefore, when I look at the figures in this report I can't help but be shocked and think that some of these species may well be doomed to extinction due in large part to the mediocrity of zoos.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Well, as noted that's merely 2500 in accredited zoos which reported their figures back to the authors of the book (a rather long list which, incidentally, includes the aforementioned Christoph Schwitzer) with many more - perhaps twice as many - in captivity elsewhere!



Indeed - as noted many of the species mentioned are now absent entirely from captivity, or nearly so. There are a few success stories however - for instance the number of Microcebus lehilahytsara in Europe is now somewhere in the region of 140 individuals, thanks in large part to the massive breeding colony at Zurich, which is free-roaming in the Masoala house.

Well that is very good to hear about the Goodman's mouse lemur (pun unintended). That is quite a significant boost from 24 to 140.

Out of curiosity, which of these are now absent from captivity ?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Out of curiosity, which of these are now absent from captivity ?

Not counting the various Microcebus species and Hapalemur griseus subspecies which are listed as being held in Madagascar and which might still be around, although I do not think they are:

Mirza zaza - last individual in Europe died at Marwell in 2009, I think the last one in the USA died at Duke in the early 2010s.
----
Cheirogaleus major - last captive individual died at Zurich in 2019.
----
Hapalemur griseus griseus - last individual in Europe died in 2013, not sure when the last pure one in North America died but there are still hybrid animals around labelled as this species.
---
Eulemur sanfordi - last captive individual died at a private facility in Florida in 2020.
----
Propithecus diadema - last captive individual died at Duke in 2012.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

some of these species may well be doomed to extinction due in large part to the mediocrity of zoos.

Well, it has to be noted that several of the species on the brink of disappearing (and one or two of the species which *have* disappeared from captivity) are in this situation because the Malagasy government won't permit further wild-caught stock.... so not entirely the fault of the zoos.

 

[Westcoastperson]

Not sure if I follow you...What do you mean?

Well I feel Ring tailed Lemurs are good animals to start people off or show off the true beauty of nature. They are just stunning to look at and to watch swing around and play. So I believe that they should be kept by themselves as they are recognizable for average zoo-goers and children so they mainly focus on that species if put in a children's zoo or entrance area. Whereas if you put them in a mixed lemur exhibit in a Madagascar exhibit sure people will notice the ringtails but they will be better focused on learning about everything in the exhibit. To simplify this Children's zoo/entrance is meant for observation which would not highlight the other lemur species, but if put in a geographical area people will be more focused on learning about all the lemur species in the exhibit.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Well, it has to be noted that several of the species on the brink of disappearing (and one or two of the species which *have* disappeared from captivity) are in this situation because the Malagasy government won't permit further wild-caught stock.... so not entirely the fault of the zoos.

Yes, true. I can imagine there would be difficulties on that front and obtaining enough wild animals for a founder population ex-situ is fraught with difficulties anyway.

I can also understand the cautiousness of the Malagasy government but there must be quite a chain of bureaucratic intransigence that impedes this too.

Even so, this is a dire situation and I do think that in some ways it is also a testament of how little many zoos have done (and perhaps how little some care too).

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Well I feel Ring tailed Lemurs are good animals to start people off or show off the true beauty of nature. They are just stunning to look at and to watch swing around and play. So I believe that they should be kept by themselves as they are recognizable for average zoo-goers and children so they mainly focus on that species if put in a children's zoo or entrance area. Whereas if you put them in a mixed lemur exhibit in a Madagascar exhibit sure people will notice the ringtails but they will be better focused on learning about everything in the exhibit. To simplify this Children's zoo/entrance is meant for observation which would not highlight the other lemur species, but if put in a geographical area people will be more focused on learning about all the lemur species in the exhibit.

Don't you think its better to learn about lemur / Malagasy biodiversity as a whole rather than just one species ?

Because for me a mixed species enclosure is a far more dynamic and educational experience than just an enclosure of ring tailed lemurs sitting and sunning themselves which seems a bit myopic and limiting really.

Also, couldn't that same single species enclosure house black blue-eyed lemurs or Lac Alaotra bamboo lemurs or crowned lemurs ?

Why the emphasis on the ring tailed lemur in particular as an introduction to nature / Malagasy biodiversity?

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

Don't you think its better to learn about lemur / Malagasy biodiversity as a whole rather than just one species ?

Because to me that is a far more dynamic and educational experience than just an enclosure of ring tailed lemurs sitting and sunning themselves which seems a bit myopic and limiting really.

Also, couldn't that same single species enclosure house black blue-eyed lemurs or Lac Alaotra bamboo lemurs or crowned lemurs ?

I agree with this statement. Mixed species exhibits for me is actually a better experience of seeing animals at a zoo, because it shows all the biodiversity into one.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I also tend to think that a single species enclosure with ring tailed lemur just invites the inevitable statement "Oh look its King Julian! " or some variation of that banal bulls***.

Whereas a mixed lemur species enclosure (preferably without ring tailed lemurs) actually facilitates more learning and awe from the public.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

I also tend to think that a single species enclosure with ring tailed lemur just invites the inevitable statement "Oh look its King Julian! " or some variation of that banal bulls***.

Whereas a mixed lemur species enclosure (preferably without ring tailed lemurs) actually facilitates more learning and awe from the public.

Yes, I get outrageously annoyed when kids say that. Also saying that every Male lion is Simba, and every Female lion is Nala. And then I think, Look, they have names of the Lions on the signs right in front of your nose.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Yes, I get outrageously annoyed when kids say that. Also saying that every Male lion is Simba, and every Female lion is Nala. And then I think, Look, they have names of the Lions on the signs right in front of your nose.

I don't really care about it other than questioning whether it constitutes real education going on in zoos or just a superficial familiarity with a species through the lens of pop-culture / Disney.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

I don't really care about it other than questioning whether it constitutes real education going on in zoos or just a superficial familiarity with a species through the lens of pop-culture / Disney.

Yeah, it bothers me when they have names for the animals, but whatever. I most certainly learn things about going to zoos, actually, a lot when I was younger, and sometimes I still do!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Not counting the various Microcebus species and Hapalemur griseus subspecies which are listed as being held in Madagascar and which might still be around, although I do not think they are:

Mirza zaza - last individual in Europe died at Marwell in 2009, I think the last one in the USA died at Duke in the early 2010s.
----
Cheirogaleus major - last captive individual died at Zurich in 2019.
----
Hapalemur griseus griseus - last individual in Europe died in 2013, not sure when the last pure one in North America died but there are still hybrid animals around labelled as this species.
---
Eulemur sanfordi - last captive individual died at a private facility in Florida in 2020.
----
Propithecus diadema - last captive individual died at Duke in 2012.

Didn't see this comment earlier, sorry about that @TeaLovingDave.

Hard to know which one of these losses I feel saddest about out of all of these listed. Many of these are IUCN vulnerable species but undoubtedly will be endangered sooner or later given the threats they face in the wild.

The Diademed sifaka is critically endangered but there was only one kept outside of Madagascar historically anyway at Duke so I suppose that one was always going to be futile anyway.

I think the loss of the Sanford's brown lemur is the one I find the most tragic as it is an endangered species and the population over the course of a decade dwindled from six to none at all.

 

[Westcoastperson]

Don't you think its better to learn about lemur / Malagasy biodiversity as a whole rather than just one species ?

Because to me that is a far more dynamic and educational experience than just an enclosure of ring tailed lemurs sitting and sunning themselves which seems a bit myopic and limiting really.

Also, couldn't that same single species enclosure house black blue-eyed lemurs or Lac Alaotra bamboo lemurs or crowned lemurs ?

Why the emphasis on the ring tailed lemur in particular as an introduction to nature / Malagasy biodiversity?

No no I enjoy seeing mixed lemur exhibits, the exhibit at the San Diego Zoo is one of my favorites. My point is that zoos shouldn't mix lemurs in areas of the zoo where that mix won't be appreciated as well. Lemur mixes can be appreciated in areas where it isn't about ABC species like in geographical exhibits, but in opening exhibits or children's zoos its about popular animals and they often leave lesser known animals in the shadows in those areas.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

No no I enjoy seeing mixed lemur exhibits, the exhibit at the San Diego Zoo is one of my favorites. My point is that zoos shouldn't mix lemurs in areas of the zoo where that mix won't be appreciated as well. Lemur mixes can be appreciated in areas where it isn't about ABC species like in geographical exhibits, but in opening exhibits or children's zoos its about popular animals and they often leave lesser known animals in the shadows in those areas.

Yes, but perhaps even in childrens zoos (I'm not talking about roadside zoos though) there could be species of conservation concern or unpopular / lesser known animals housed (providing that they are suited to and not overly stressed with being in an often noisy environment).

Imagine Malagasy giant jumping rats or black blue-eyed lemurs, wouldn't these species also be representative of biodiversity too ?

Afterall aren't children going to be the next generation who will have to deal with the crisis of biodiversity loss and to become stewards of it ?

There is quite a good children's zoo in the UK called Drusillas which houses all kinds of lesser known and threatened species like long nosed potoroo, Rodrigues fruit bat, black lemur and Goeldi's monkey so this evidently can be done effectively.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

have they tried re introducing lemurs back in the wild ?

I didn't see your comment earlier, sorry @garyjp.

In answer to your question yes there have been some reintroductions of lemurs back to the wild.

The most famous one was implemented by the Duke lemur centre who reintroduced black and white ruffed lemurs to a protected area in the 1990's. It was apparently difficult in the begining with some mortality but ultimately was successful.

The release of captive-bred black-and-white ruffed lemurs <i>Varecia variegata variegata</i> into the Betampona Reserve, eastern Madagascar - Conservation Evidence

 

[Jungle Man]

Didn't see this comment earlier, sorry about that @TeaLovingDave.

Hard to know which one of these losses I feel saddest about out of all of these listed. Many of these are IUCN vulnerable species but undoubtedly will be endangered sooner or later given the threats they face in the wild.

The Diademed sifaka is critically endangered but there was only one kept outside of Madagascar historically anyway at Duke so I suppose that one was always going to be futile anyway.

I think the loss of the Sanford's brown lemur is the one I find the most tragic as it is an endangered species and the population over the course of a decade dwindled from six to none at all.

Yeah, the last Sanford's Brown Lemur in the US died at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City, Florida.

Regarding my point of view, recently I finished reading "Aye Aye and I" from Gerald Durrell, and I find pretty interesting how they collected the founders of the current Alaotran Gentle Lemur and Madagascar Jumping Rat ex situ population. So, I believe that, if proposed and implemented with interest from several NGOs, there could be another try to establish ex-situ population for some lemur species like mouse lemurs and even restart with new animals, the Sanford's Brown Lemur program. So, I expected more variety with lemurs in captivity, with more than a 100 species, just choosing the most attractive, or most interesting ones for the general public to maintain ex situ populations is wrong.

Probably, as the case of Indris, not all can be conserved in captivity, but I know of several similar species to the ones that we already keep in captivity, that could adjust well and that are endangered. I hope, that in the future, more species can be successfully established in captivity and that, just in case, we have a backup population. With the example of the Panay Cloudrunner, already said by TLD, some lemur species could suffer the same, so it's better to stay prepared than to regret another species extinction.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Regarding my point of view, recently I finished reading "Aye Aye and I" from Gerald Durrell, and I find pretty interesting how they collected the founders of the current Alaotran Gentle Lemur and Madagascar Jumping Rat ex situ population. So, I believe that, if proposed and implemented with interest from several NGOs, there could be another try to establish ex-situ population for some lemur species like mouse lemurs and even restart with new animals, the Sanford's Brown Lemur program. So, I expected more variety with lemurs in captivity, with more than a 100 species, just choosing the most attractive, or most interesting ones for the general public to maintain ex situ populations is wrong.

Probably, as the case of Indris, not all can be conserved in captivity, but I know of several similar species to the ones that we already keep in captivity, that could adjust well and that are endangered. I hope, that in the future, more species can be successfully established in captivity and that, just in case, we have a backup population. With the example of the Panay Cloudrunner, already said by TLD, some lemur species could suffer the same, so it's better to stay prepared than to regret another species extinction.

Thank you for your comment @Jungle Man !

That is great to hear that you enjoyed that book ! It is probably my favourite one of Durrell's books and the most poignant of them all IMO. I think this is because it was both written a few years before his death and the subject matter of the attempt to bring such threatened species to Jersey to form captive breeding programes.

Another expedition like the Durrell one could still take place, yes, I agree, it isn't impossible and in fact they do still occasionally obtain species from Madagascar with the help of the government of that country. The last species they received were quite recent I believe and were a pair of the Malagasy big headed turtle (only ones outside of Madagascar).

I would definitely like to see the Sanford's brown lemur both conserved effectively in-situ and kept in ex-situ in the country range and abroad by a few good zoos. Also agree with you regarding how meaningless the aesthetic appeal of a species is when it comes to our ethical duty to conserve it. However, luckily for lemurs they are all pretty charismatic and beautiful looking so these kind of things may not apply (though obviously some will be more popular than others).

The indris are a special case, I agree, and though there are other lemurs that like that species will be unable to adapt to captivity there will be many more that are both endangered and able to adapt to ex-situ environments. We should therefore make space for the ones that need it within zoos and if this means rehoming or phasing out ring tailed lemurs then so be it in my opinion.

I think you are absolutely right we need to be alert and aware of the risks of inaction and these will be extinctions if we do not manage these well.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Hard to know which one of these losses I feel saddest about out of all of these listed. Many of these are IUCN vulnerable species but undoubtedly will be endangered sooner or later given the threats they face in the wild.

The loss of the Giant Mouse Lemur is a bit of a blow, given this represents the loss of an entire genus from captivity.

I think the loss of the Sanford's brown lemur is the one I find the most tragic as it is an endangered species and the population over the course of a decade dwindled from six to none at all.

Worse still, it could easily have been established had the founding population not been placed on contraceptive implants by Duke after they failed to get anywhere interested in the species, which ended up permanently sterilising the animals in question - something only discovered when they were sent to Hamerton and Banham after these collections expressed an interest in keeping and establishing the species; Andrew Swales has spoken about the matter a few times elsewhere on the forum:

The original Sanford's Lemurs we imported from Duke had been implanted, due to lack of interest - despite the fact that there were only 17 animals outside Madagascar. They never cycled again. The Collared imported at the same time were much older than the Sanford's and assumed to be post productive, but despite this we established them. They are still here. Had they not been done, I am confident that sanfordi could still be with us too...

Our Sanford's Lemurs had been contraceptive implanted by Duke University because with a captive population of 14 animals, they could not generate any interest. We persuaded them to send the animals to us and Banham, but they never recovered from the implants, became grossly obese and never bred.

I believe most of the European and American population of Collared Lemur (which is rather higher than the 37 animals recorded a decade ago, incidentally) are now descended from the aforementioned elderly animals which Hamerton brought in from Duke and managed to establish.