I chose to use non-invasive methods to collect my data (behavioural data, feacal samples, and ano-genital odour samples via positive reinforcement training) both to avoid distress the study subjects (safeguard animal health) and to not affect the results. I avoided to use blood to analyse hormone levels and to capture animals to collect odour samples. In most cases I think we can opt for non-invasive methods, it is logistically more difficult but a better ethical choice - I believe.

The fact that they kiss each other! They do it to understand if the other animal eat something that could be interesting, but anyway is lovely to see!

It is not ideal to introduce a non-native species in a new environment. It could cause problems to native species both in terms of feeding resources and competition.

Unfortunately, due to the difficulties in managing this species in captivity, they are not common in European zoos. In Europe there are around twenty facilities that host gentle lemurs. Yes, reintroduction can only occur in their native habitat, which then needs to be protected

No! They are very different from you see in the movie ;-)

Lemurs are under threat mainly from the illegal burning of their habitat by people for conversion to rice plantations.

75% of the population around Lac Alaotra rely on fishing and weaving products as their main source of income. A healthy marshland leads to healthy fish stocks and a
self-sustaining growth of vegetation, both directly benefitting the
local community and economy.

However, there are several projects led by the international network of zoos and NGOs focused on the protection of this endangered species of lemurs and their habitat.

I think that we are heading to the right direction, working on education programmes with local communities and supporting eco-tourisms (which is the primary way for people to make a living while lemurs inhabit the same area). Nevertheless, the situation is really bad and we must act immediately if we want to help people and save animals.

Lake Alaotra and its surronding marshland is a rich habitat for wildlife, but also very much threatened wetland habitat due to its location in the middle of an important rice-growing region. We are currently unsure about the percentage of untouched habitat, but bear in mind that at national level it is estimated that almost 90% of forest is lost.

I work with lemurs in captivity and do not know whether these individuals
will be reintroduced in Madagascar (depending on feasibility in terms of
habitat protection, monitoring, safeguard etc -activities mainly coordinated by
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust – Jersey Zoo).
The international agreement between governments CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to
ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does
not threaten the survival of the species. Most animals that can now be observed
in zoos are captive born and bred.

Gentle lemurs are cathemeral (they are active day and night) and the only
lemur species living above water in bamboo and papyrus reed beds. They are also
known locally as ‘bandro’; the bandro is culturally sacred to Madagascar’s
Sihanaka tribe. Oh, and surprisingly females are dominant over males and can be
quite aggressive!
Regarding the future of UK academia, there are concerns due to the uncertainty
about accessing to EU research funds and network of colleagues, but here at
Wolverhampton we are doing well and optimistic about the future!

Odour is linked directly to physiological condition and is therefore
expected to provide accurate information about sex hormone levels. Hence,
chemical signals will inform other group members about the reproductive status
of female lemurs.
I studied scent-marking and sexual behaviours in captive lemurs and I
collected vaginal odour samples over the breeding period, as I would have done
in the wild. I also analysed the odour compounds and resynthesized the female fertile
mixture in our lab at Wolverhampton. I am now using this mixture to trigger
male mating behaviour in lemur pairs which have been struggling with
reproduction across European zoos.
In captivity logistics and practicalities of the data collection are a lot
easier! Since captivity is a controlled environment (i.e. diet, enclosure, daily
routine) we recognize that our experimental set-up may provide a slightly different
outcome than would have been in the wild. However, our aim is to improve
captive breeding.

Many thanks! My research project
aims to improve captive breeding success. Hopefully, some of these individuals
may be reintroduced into their habitat in the future. At the moment, other colleagues are working on the safeguard of
the gentle lemurs’ environment in Madagascar, as it is very restricted and
threatened by habitat destruction due to reed beds being burned and the lake
drained for rice irrigation. Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust – Jersey Zoo is coordinating the international efforts for the
conservation of this species.

Hi! They are called gentle lemurs as they look like fluffy
teddy bears! They are also called Alaotran bamboo lemurs as their habitat is
restricted to the wetlands surrounding Lac Alaotra, Madagascar, and they eat a variety
of marsh vegetation, with papyrus reeds and bamboo making up a large proportion
of their diet.
However, they leave in small groups and usually are not
aggressive each other (but hostile behaviours can occur during the breeding
season).