Cotswold Wildlife Park has achieved breeding success with one of the most endangered Lemurs in Madagascar – the Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus). Births in captivity are extremely rare. In fact, the Park is the only zoological collection in the UK and one of two worldwide to have bred the species this year. They are classified as “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and with only 36 animals in captivity globally, every breeding success of this rare primate is important. Only seven other zoological collections in the world keep Greater Bamboo Lemurs.
The Greater Bamboo Lemur Baby bred at Cotswold Wildlife Park – aged 5 weeks (Credit Primate Keeper Charlotte).
The as-yet-unsexed and unnamed youngster (pictured above) was sired by breeding male Raphael and female Bijou. Both are part of a European Breeding Programme (EEP). This is the fourth year running that the Park has managed to breed these charismatic primates. The new arrival can be seen exploring its enclosure inside the Lemur exhibit Madagascar.
Lemurs are considered one of the most endangered groups of mammals on earth. According to the IUCN, a staggering 98% of Lemur species – 103 out of the 107 listed – are now threatened with extinction. Greater Bamboo Lemurs have been described as one of the most critically endangered Lemur species in Madagascar†, along with Alaotran Bamboo Lemurs and Crowned Sifaka. From subfossil records they were once widespread across Madagascar. Little is known about the chronology of their decline and in the 1970s and early 1980s, it was suspected that the species might even be extinct††.
The Curator of Cotswold Wildlife Park Jamie Craig on a research trip to Madagascar.
Jamie Craig (pictured left on a research trip to Madagascar), General Manager of Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: “Lemur species in Madagascar are under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and the rapidly rising human population. It is vital that we raise awareness for this unique group of primates before it is too late. At Cotswold Wildlife Park, we are committed to conserving this species and we fund an extremely important site in Madagascar, as well as participating in several other conservation projects with the Cotswold Wildlife Park Conservation Trust – most notable for the Crowned Sifaka and Greater Bamboo Lemur. We are extremely privileged to keep both of these species at the Park – they are extremely rare in captivity and they are fantastic ambassadors for our fundraising efforts”.
Protecting wildlife beyond the Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park funds two major Lemur conservation projects in Madagascar: Helpsimus (https://www.helpsimus.org/en/homepage-helpsimus/) and Impact Madagascar (https://impactmadagascar.org). Impact Madagascar focuses on the conservation of Crowned Sifaka. Helpsimus is committed to the conservation of Greater Bamboo Lemurs and protecting Madagascar’s biodiversity in cooperation with local communities. This year Helpsimus reported that the population of Greater Bamboo Lemurs protected by the project has almost tripled in 10 years – an exceptional result considering this species was on the brink of extinction some 15 years ago. From less than 100 in 2008, it is likely that the population now exceeds 1,500 individuals in Madagascar thanks to the conservation efforts of Helpsimus.
Founder and President of Helpsimus, Delphine Roullet, explains: “The Bamboo Lemur programme site is now home to the largest wild population of Greater Bamboo Lemurs. This success is attributable to our holistic approach to conservation, which aims to fight poverty among local populations, enabling them to protect their biodiversity in a sustainable way. The Greater Bamboo Lemur is currently the only Lemur species whose populations are increasing. However, despite this growth, the balance remains fragile, as demonstrated in 2022 when two tropical cyclones hit Madagascar. The Greater Bamboo Lemur population has nevertheless shown remarkable resilience in the face of these events, thanks in part to the measures put in place to limit the pressure on its habitat”.
Jamie Craig, committee member for both the Crowned Sifaka and Greater Bamboo Lemur EEPs, adds: “The work of the project Helpsimus has directly led to the Greater Bamboo Lemur being removed from the World’s 25 Most Endangered Primate list – a real achievement”.
These gregarious primates live in polygamous groups and are the only Lemur species in which males are dominant. Breeding season takes place between April and June. The gestation period is estimated at 150 days after which a single infant is born. During the first five weeks of its life, the newborn is cared for by its mother. When the infant is seven to eight weeks old, the mother gradually decreases nursing, after which the baby begins to explore its surroundings. Weaning takes place at about eight months old. Section Head of Primates, Small Mammals and Birds, Natalie Horner, comments: “Our group first successfully bred during lockdown in 2020. Since then, our male Raphael and females Bijou and Veloma have produced seven youngsters taking our total to ten. Bijou and Veloma are wonderful mothers and Raphael is such a playful dad”.
Additional information:
- There are even less Greater Bamboo Lemurs left in the wild than other well-known threatened species such as the Giant Panda, Bengal Tiger and White Rhino. With only 1,500 remaining, the conservation of these rare primates is imperative.
- There are currently just 36 animals in captivity within eight zoological collections worldwide. With a population of 11, the Park is home to the biggest breeding group in the world.
- Greater Bamboo Lemurs are the largest of the three Bamboo Lemur species and are instantly recognisable by their distinct ear tufts.
- A voracious appetite for bamboo makes this species Madagascar’s answer to the Giant Panda. Bamboo Lemurs are the world’s only primate with this highly specialised and almost exclusive diet of bamboo (which contains the poisonous chemical cyanide). This is difficult and dangerous food to process, yet these Lemurs have evolved to do just that.
- As this species totally depends on bamboo, it cannot adapt to quick changes in its environment. Due to large-scale clearing and resulting fragmentation of their rainforest habitat, these animals live in small, isolated populations and are at risk from slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of bamboo by village residents.
- Cotswold Wildlife Park is home to three critically endangered Lemur species – Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus), Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) and Crowned Sifaka (Propithecus coronatus). All are part of a European Breeding Programme (EEP).
- The Park’s walk-through Lemur exhibit, Madagascar, was officially opened by TV presenter and comedienne Ruby Wax in 2008. Madagascar is a revolutionary way of seeing the island’s many fascinating and endangered animals at close quarters, in a large, open-air exhibit.
- The name Lemur means “spirit of the dead”. Malagasy people believe them to be the spirits of their ancestors.
- Lemurs are native to Madagascar – an ancient island in the Indian Ocean. Once joined to Africa, Madagascar has been isolated for millions of years. As a result, it has evolved an eclectic set of highly specialised wildlife – 80% of which is unique to the island and is startlingly different from anything found elsewhere in the world.
- World Lemur Day is celebrated on 25 October 2024. Now in its 10th year, its aim is to highlight the plight of Madagascar’s most endangered primates. The inaugural World Lemur Festival was held in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 2014 and is now celebrated around the world.
- The collective noun for a group of Lemurs is a conspiracy.
†The Crisis of the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur (Wright et al. 2008). ††Primate Conservation (Godfrey and Vuillaume-Randriamanantena, 1986).