Madagascar’s wildlife at risk

Some of Madagascar’s lemurs are among the world’s most endangered primates, with one species down to 19 animals in the wild.

Primates are mankind’s closest living relatives but more than half (54%) of 633 known species and subspecies are at risk of extinction from human activity including destruction of rainforests, illegal wildlife trade and bushmeat hunting.

Conservation bodies have published a list of the world’s 25 most endangered primates, which reveals that Madagascar tops the list for the country with the most threatened species, with six at risk of becoming extinct.