Behavior and diet of the Critically Endangered Eulemur cinereiceps in Manombo forest, southeast Madagascar

Manombo Special Reserve is a parcel of rainforest along the southeastern coast of Madagascar, containing eight lemur species, including the White-collared brown lemur (Eulemur cinereiceps [Eulemur albocollaris]). Following a drastic cyclone in the region in January of 1997, the population of E. cinereiceps at Manombo was reduced by half. Results indicate that individuals of this critically endangered species at Manombo consume a total of 54 plant species belonging to 24 families, with over two - thirds of the diet comprised of ripe and unripe fruits. White - collared brown lemurs also opportunistically feed on novel food items and invasive plants in their recovering habitat. We report the first record of E. cinereiceps consuming a shelf fungus species growing on invasive trees. During feeding, lemurs tore pieces of the fungus from the trees with their hands and mouth (chewing cycle duration mean 0.28 s; SD 0.01). White - collared brown lemurs also consumed spicy fruits of a non - native plant species (Aframomum angustifolium) growing in highly disturbed open areas. Feeding bouts typically began by stripping away the outer covering with the anterior dentition, with pulp and seeds then consumed (chewing cycle duration mean 0.22 s; SD 0.005). This is the first record of consumption of either of these resources for any lemur species at Manombo. Ability to feed on items like A. angustifolium may permit E. cinereiceps to avoid competition with other species in this highly degraded forest environment

The Alaotra gentle lemur: Population estimation and subsequent implications

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT) has conducted since 1994 several census’ on the population of the Alaotran gentle lemur to observe the development of the population in time and space

Ten years into the marshes – Hapalemur alaotrensis conservation, one step forward and two steps back?

Natural resource management problems typically involve a multitude of stakeholders with diverse sets of needs and interests, and often conflicting worldviews in an environment with growing uncertainty. Such problems are termed “wicked” problems, where there are no right or wrong solutions, only more or less acceptable ones. In the case of Lake Alaotra, growing agricultural pressures have a negative impact on the wetland biodiversity and especially on the Alaotra gentle lemur (Hapalemur alaotrensis) restricted to these marshlands. The species survival is highly uncertain because of increased habitat loss caused mainly by marshland fires. The conservation work for this unique lemur is complex and complicated and requires the involvement and collaboration of decision-making institutions, NGOs, universities and riverine communities. From the inception of projects to their implementation phase, all parties need clearly defined responsibilities and transparency in communication in order to run projects successfully. This article describes the approach that Madagascar Wildlife Conservation has been implementing during the past ten years at Lake Alaotra, discussing the plan of action and challenges for environmental education, ecotourism and alternative livelihoods. Les problèmes de gestion des ressources naturelles impliquent généralement une multitude d’intervenants avec divers ensembles de besoins et d’intérêts, et souvent, les visions du monde contradictoires dans un environnement avec une incertitude croissante. Ces problèmes sont appelés problèmes sournois, ‘wicked problems’ en anglais, où il n’y a pas de bonnes ou de mauvaises solutions, seules plus ou moins acceptables. Dans le cas du lac Alaotra, la croissance des pressions agricoles a un impact négatif sur la biodiversité des zones humides, et en particulier sur l’Alaotra lémurien douce (Hapalemur alaotrensis) limitée à ces marais. La survie de l’espèce est très incertaine en raison de l’augmentation de la perte d’habitat causée principalement par les feux de marais. Les travaux de conservation pour ce lémurien unique sont complexes et compliqués, et nécessitent l’implication et la collaboration sur la prise de décision des institutions, des ONG, des universités et des communautés riveraines. Cela implique que toutes les parties, depuis la création de projets à leur phase de mise en oeuvre, partagent un terrain d’entente avec les avantages clairement définis de pouvoir de décision, les responsabilités et la transparence dans la communication. Madagascar Wildlife Conservation a travaillé sur le lac depuis plus de dix ans, y compris l’éducation environnementale, l'écotourisme et les moyens de subsistance alternatifs dans le plan d’action. Cet article met en évidence l’approche adoptée et examine ses défis