Ring-Tailed Lemur Conservation

Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are classified as near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the species is thought to have undergone a 25% reduction in the wild over the past 20 years. Found only in the forests of South-Western Madagascar, they face major habitat loss through de-forestation as forests in Southern Madagascar are razed for lumber production and to make pasture for livestock. With up to 90% of Madagascar's forests lost, their land is being destroyed at an alarming rate, and their restricted geographical distribution makes it impossible for ring-tailed lemurs to adapt and survive this onslaught. AZA Accredited Zoos, including the Cape May County Zoo, work to ensure the survival of these primates through the AZA Species Survival Plan, which manages approximately 500 ring-tailed lemurs in accredited zoos, where they are scientifically paired and bred to produce a genetically diverse population. The Cape May County Zoo has had a successful breeding program, adding several valuable animals every year to the captive population.

Cape May Court House, New Jersey · United States