89 Primate Conservation 2016 (30): 89–101 Going, Going, Gone…Is the Iconic Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Headed for Imminent Extirpation?† Lisa Gould1 and Michelle L. Sauther2 1 Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada 2...
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89 Primate Conservation 2016 (30): 89–101 Going, Going, Gone…Is the Iconic Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Headed for Imminent Extirpation?† Lisa Gould1 and Michelle L. Sauther2 1 Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada 2 Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA Abstract: The ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) was once widely distributed throughout the south-central, far south, and southwest regions of Madagascar. This species is known for its marked ecological plasticity and ability to survive in a variety of habitats. Over the past decade, however, habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, hunting for subsistence or the illegal bushmeat trade, and live capture for the illegal pet trade have increased, resulting in extirpation or drastic reduction of populations throughout its geographic range. Recent mining activities in one region have resulted in further serious threats to remaining populations. In this paper, we discuss (1
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