Hapalemur alaotrensis

The Alaotra Lake tame lemur (scientific name: Hapalemur alaotrensis) is listed as "critically endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There are only two separate populations of this species left in the wild, with a population of less than 3,000, living in the 19,000-hectare swamp area of Lake Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar. The Alaotra Lake tame lemur is the only primate in the world that lives entirely in wetlands.

The main threats to the Alaotra Lake lemur are rice paddy development, indiscriminate burning of marsh vegetation during the dry season, and poaching. Although the purpose of burning vegetation is mainly to open up fishing areas, this practice also destroys biological habitats - not only directly leading to the death of many native species, but also contributing to the spread of invasive alien plants.

In 2004, the entire Alaotra basin was designated as a Ramsar Convention Important Wetland. In 2007, Alaotra and the surrounding swamps were designated as a protected area. Ecological protection agencies have long worked closely with local communities to encourage sustainable use of wetlands and reduce poaching, thereby reducing the pressure on lemurs. Continued efforts to protect the Alaotra swamps and strengthen cooperation with local communities are necessary to ensure that the Alaotra lemurs are not extinct.

Protect wildlife and eliminate game.

Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!