Diademed sifaka  (Propithecus diadema)

Like many Malagasy primates, the diademed sifaka is primarily threatened by the destruction of its rainforest habitat. Primary forests are being cleared to make way for agriculture, the extraction of timber, and charcoal production (1) (2). Worryingly, it appears that this species may be sensitive to even slight disturbances, as it has vanished from areas which have suffered only a little degradation (2). This species is also hunted for food, an activity which is having a serious detrimental impact even on populations that lie within supposedly protected areas (1).

The diademed sifaka occurs in a number of national parks and reserves, for example Mantadia and Zahamena National Parks, but unfortunately, this does not always offer the species protection from the threat of hunting (1). A conservation action plan for lemurs compiled in 1992 stated that better protection of such areas is a necessary conservation action for this species (8). The plan also suggested that a captive breeding programme should be developed (8); for many years there has only been one male diademed sifaka held in captivity, in Duke Lemur Centre in North Carolina, USA (9).