Red-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur rufus)

Species information

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Threats

Habitat destruction remains the primary threat to this lemur, largely as a result of the explosive growth in the human population on Madagascar (5). Eastern areas of rainforest are destroyed by slash-and-burn agriculture and by forest cutting for fuel wood and construction, while dryer western forests are cleared by fires started to promote new flushes of pasture for grazing cattle. Hunting and trapping for food or the pet trade also constitutes a major threat to the red-fronted brown lemur, this lemur being one of the most commonly hunted lemurs in all of Madagascar (3).

Conservation

The red-fronted brown lemur is found in nine national parks, one nature reserve, five special reserves and one private reserve (3). Captive bred populations also exist in institutions worldwide (5). The fate of the red-fronted brown lemur will most probably be determined by the future of its forest habitat, which needs to be better preserved if the survival of this lemur is to be safeguarded.