CONSERVATION OF THE INDRIÂ

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is considered one of the highest priorities for conservation today due to the rich biodiversity and high rate of endemism that the island affords.

The Indri (Indri indri) is the largest of the extant lemur species, revered by the local people for its haunting song-like call. Due to its rapidly disappearing habitat, the Indri today is highly endangered and in need of urgent conservation efforts. Its unique and charismatic appearance, as well as the high level of superstition surrounding the Indri that protects it to some extent from being hunted by the local people, makes it an ideal choice of flagship species for conservation of its habitat as well as other co-existing species.

In January 2008, an evaluation study was carried out by AWWP, in partnership with ACT FOR NATURE (AFN) – a Monaco based conservation organisation with various conservation activities in Madagascar, and their local Madagascan partner- FANAMBY. In keeping with the proposed aims, contact was made with local authorities as well as conservation organisations active at the ground level. Habitat fragmentation as a result of destruction of forest for timber, fuel and clearing for agricultural development appears to be the main threat to the viability of Indri populations in the wild.

The species is notoriously difficult to keep and propagate in captivity, and therefore, in-situ measures such as habitat protection and preservation of corridors linking areas inhabited by these primates is the key to conservation of the species.

The habitat of the Indri in Andasibe / Perinet Nature Reserve	Team members from AWWP Act For Nature Fanamby

Related Links:
ACT FOR NATURE www.actfornature.org
FANAMBYwww.fanamby.org.mg