WORLD LEMUR DAY 2022. SAVE THE LEMUR

World Lemur Day 2022

 

World Lemur Day 2022 is celebrated on 28th October 2022. It is a day to remember and honour lemurs worldwide.  The word “Lemur” translates as “ghost” in Latin. They earned their name from their habit of appearing in trees at night and glaring with their big eyes. 

While lemurs are related to monkeys and apes, they are a separate species of the primate family. They are what is known as prosimian, which means they are primates that evolved before monkeys and apes. Lemurs are the world’s oldest living primates.  

Ang World Lemur Day 2022 ay ipinagdiriwang noong ika-28 ng Oktubre 2022. Ito ay isang araw para alalahanin at parangalan ang mga lemur sa buong mundo. Ang salitang "Lemur" ay isinalin bilang "multo" sa Latin. Nakuha nila ang kanilang pangalan mula sa kanilang ugali na lumitaw sa mga puno sa gabi at nanlilisik sa kanilang malalaking mata.

Habang ang mga lemur ay nauugnay sa mga unggoy at unggoy, sila ay isang hiwalay na species ng primate family. Ang mga ito ay kung ano ang kilala bilang prosimian, na nangangahulugan na sila ay mga primata na nag-evolve bago ang mga unggoy at matsing. Ang mga lemur ay ang pinakamatandang nabubuhay na primate sa mundo.

Endangered Zombies Lemur, Madagascar

Around 98% of lemurs are Near Threatened with extinction, of which 31% are listed as Critically Endangered. Therefore, saving the lemur is crucial for their existence and our enjoyment. Critically endangered means an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Near threatened means at risk of being vulnerable to extinction in the near future.

Humigit-kumulang 98% ng mga lemur ay Malapit Nang Nanganganib sa pagkalipol, kung saan 31% ay nakalista bilang Critically Endangered. Samakatuwid, ang pag-save ng lemur ay mahalaga para sa kanilang pag-iral at sa ating kasiyahan.

Ang critically endangered ay nangangahulugan ng napakataas na panganib ng pagkalipol sa ligaw sa agarang hinaharap.

Ang malapit na nanganganib ay nangangahulugan na nasa panganib na maging mahina sa pagkalipol sa malapit na hinaharap.

 

Ring-tailed Lemur, Madagascar

CHARACTERISTICS

Lemurs are easy to love because they are charismatic, cute, and furry.  Their large eyes, monkey bodies, long hind legs, and long bushy tails that are longer than their bodies make for adorable animals.

MGA KATANGIAN

Ang mga lemur ay madaling mahalin dahil sila ay charismatic, cute, at mabalahibo. Ang kanilang malalaking mata, katawan ng unggoy, mahahabang binti sa hulihan, at mahahabang palumpong na buntot na mas mahaba kaysa sa kanilang katawan ay ginagawa para sa mga kaibig-ibig na hayop.

Collared Brown Lemur, Madagascar

There are over 100 species of lemur, and each is different from the next. For example, some species are black and white, some have no tail, some have black rings on their tails, and some are brown and orange. 

Mayroong higit sa 100 species ng lemur, at bawat isa ay naiiba mula sa susunod. Halimbawa, ang ilang mga species ay itim at puti, ang ilan ay walang buntot, ang ilan ay may itim na singsing sa kanilang mga buntot, at ang ilan ay kayumanggi at orange.

Common Brown Lemur eating a banana, Madagascar

The largest lemur is the Indri (Indri indri) at around 60 – 90 cm long and weighs 10kg. It is the only species of lemur that doesn’t have a tail. The smallest is the Madame Berth’s mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), weighing 30grams and 9-11cm long, excluding their 12-14cm tail.

Ang pinakamalaking lemur ay ang Indri (Indri indri) sa humigit-kumulang 60 – 90 cm ang haba at tumitimbang ng 10kg. Ito ang tanging species ng lemur na walang buntot. Ang pinakamaliit ay ang mouse lemur ng Madame Berth (Microcebus berthae), na tumitimbang ng 30grams at 9-11cm ang haba, hindi kasama ang kanilang 12-14cm na buntot.

Indri Lemur, Madagascar

All lemurs have long hind legs for climbing, jumping, and nails instead of claws. But, interestingly, they have one claw called a ‘toilet claw’ used for grooming and parasite removal.

Different species of lemur have different behaviours. For example, some can be diurnal (active during the day), while others are nocturnal (active at night) or cathemeral (active both day and night). Some are arboreal (living in trees), while others prefer to live on the ground. In addition, some species of lemur hibernate.  

Ang lahat ng mga lemur ay may mahabang hulihan na mga binti para sa pag-akyat, paglukso, at mga pako sa halip na mga kuko. Ngunit, kawili-wili, mayroon silang isang kuko na tinatawag na 'toilet claw' na ginagamit para sa pag-aayos at pagtanggal ng parasito.

Ang iba't ibang uri ng lemur ay may iba't ibang pag-uugali. Halimbawa, ang ilan ay maaaring diurnal (aktibo sa araw), habang ang iba ay panggabi (aktibo sa gabi) o kathemeral (aktibo sa araw at gabi). Ang ilan ay arboreal (naninirahan sa mga puno), habang ang iba ay mas gustong manirahan sa lupa. Bilang karagdagan, ang ilang mga species ng lemur hibernate.

Diademed Sifaka Lemur, Madagascar

Female lemurs dominate the troops and decide where they live and who is in their troop. 

All species except for one (aye-aye lemur) have what is described as a toothcomb, meaning they have six front teeth on their lower jaw, which are fused, allowing them to groom themselves and other lemurs. They also have a secondary tongue beneath their primary tongue. The secondary tongue is used like a toothbrush to clean their toothcomb.

Ang mga babaeng lemur ay nangingibabaw sa mga tropa at nagpapasya kung saan sila nakatira at kung sino ang nasa kanilang tropa.

Ang lahat ng mga species maliban sa isa (aye-aye lemur) ay may kung ano ang inilarawan bilang isang toothcomb, ibig sabihin mayroon silang anim na ngipin sa harap sa kanilang ibabang panga, na pinagsama, na nagpapahintulot sa kanila na mag-ayos ng kanilang sarili at iba pang mga lemur. Mayroon din silang pangalawang dila sa ilalim ng kanilang pangunahing dila. Ang pangalawang dila ay ginagamit na parang toothbrush para linisin ang kanilang toothcomb.

Verreaux’s Sifaka Lemurs, Madagascar

HABITAT

All wild lemurs are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Madagascar is around 450 km off the west coast of Africa and is the fourth largest island in the world. Before humans arrived on the Island of Madagascar, lemurs roamed the island.  Once humans arrived around 2,000 years ago to settle, they destroyed the lemur’s environment and pushed them out of their natural habitat ranges. This resulted in around 17 lemur species becoming extinct. Lemurs are now only found on the western coast, the northern and southern tips, and a small population in the eastern forest in Madagascar.

HABITAT

Ang lahat ng mga ligaw na lemur ay endemic sa isla ng Madagascar. Ang Madagascar ay humigit-kumulang 450 km mula sa kanlurang baybayin ng Africa at ang ikaapat na pinakamalaking isla sa mundo. Bago dumating ang mga tao sa Isla ng Madagascar, gumagala ang mga lemur sa isla. Sa sandaling dumating ang mga tao humigit-kumulang 2,000 taon na ang nakalilipas upang manirahan, sinira nila ang kapaligiran ng lemur at itinulak sila palabas ng kanilang natural na hanay ng tirahan. Nagresulta ito sa humigit-kumulang 17 species ng lemur na nawawala. Ang mga lemur ay matatagpuan lamang sa kanlurang baybayin, sa hilaga at timog na mga dulo, at isang maliit na populasyon sa silangang kagubatan sa Madagascar.

Ring-tailed Lemur, Madagascar

Madagascar is world famous for its lemurs who live in different habitats depending on the species, such as rainforests, dry forests, spiny forests, wetlands, and mountains. Lemurs spend most of their life living and moving through trees. Walking on the ground can be challenging for lemurs, except for the ring-tailed lemur. 

Ang Madagascar ay sikat sa mundo para sa mga lemur nito na naninirahan sa iba't ibang tirahan depende sa mga species, tulad ng mga rainforest, tuyong kagubatan, matinik na kagubatan, basang lupa, at kabundukan. Ginugugol ng mga lemur ang halos buong buhay nila sa pamumuhay at paglipat sa mga puno. Ang paglalakad sa lupa ay maaaring maging mahirap para sa mga lemur, maliban sa ring-tailed lemur.

DIET

Due to the wide variety of lemurs, they all have slightly different diets. Most lemurs are herbivores and feed on fruit, flowers, tree bark, bamboo, and sap. They are known to feed on 82 different native plants and many introduced species of plants. However, some lemurs are omnivores and eat insects and small vertebrates; for example, ring-tailed lemurs will eat spiders, chameleons, and small birds.
DIET

Dahil sa malawak na pagkakaiba-iba ng mga lemur, lahat sila ay may bahagyang magkakaibang mga diyeta. Karamihan sa mga lemur ay herbivore at kumakain ng prutas, bulaklak, balat ng puno, kawayan, at katas. Kilala silang kumakain ng 82 iba't ibang katutubong halaman at maraming ipinakilalang uri ng halaman. Gayunpaman, ang ilang mga lemur ay omnivores at kumakain ng mga insekto at maliliit na vertebrates; halimbawa, ang mga ring-tailed lemur ay kakain ng mga gagamba, chameleon, at maliliit na ibon.

 

Black-and-white ruffed lemur

Lemurs help to maintain forest diversity by being efficient seed dispersers. The seeds from the fruits and berries they eat are passed through their digestive tract and scattered around the forest for regeneration. 

Tumutulong ang mga lemur na mapanatili ang pagkakaiba-iba ng kagubatan sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mahusay na mga disperser ng binhi. Ang mga buto mula sa mga prutas at berry na kanilang kinakain ay ipinapasa sa kanilang digestive tract at nakakalat sa paligid ng kagubatan para sa pagbabagong-buhay.

Bamboo Lemur, Madagascar

REPRODUCTION

The mating season occurs between mid-April – June. A female lemur’s fertile period varies from a few days to a month. Depending on the lemur species, females give birth from one to six pups once a year. They also have slow reproduction rates, severely impacting their population.  Gestation is around 102 – 170 days depending on the lemur species. The pups cling to their mother’s belly for the first three to four weeks of life and then switch to riding on their mother’s back until around four months old. By this time, they are searching for their own food. A lemur is considered an adult by three to four years of age. 

Lifespan varies between species. In captivity, lemurs can live for more than 30 years. However, they only live for 16 – 20 years in the wild.

PAGPAPARAMI

Ang panahon ng pag-aasawa ay nangyayari sa pagitan ng kalagitnaan ng Abril - Hunyo. Ang fertile period ng babaeng lemur ay nag-iiba mula sa ilang araw hanggang isang buwan. Depende sa species ng lemur, ang mga babae ay nanganganak ng isa hanggang anim na tuta minsan sa isang taon. Mayroon din silang mabagal na mga rate ng pagpaparami, na lubhang nakakaapekto sa kanilang populasyon. Ang pagbubuntis ay humigit-kumulang 102 – 170 araw depende sa species ng lemur. Ang mga tuta ay kumakapit sa tiyan ng kanilang ina sa unang tatlo hanggang apat na linggo ng buhay at pagkatapos ay lumipat sa pagsakay sa likod ng kanilang ina hanggang sa mga apat na buwang gulang. Sa oras na ito, naghahanap sila ng kanilang sariling pagkain. Ang isang lemur ay itinuturing na nasa hustong gulang ng tatlo hanggang apat na taong gulang.

Ang haba ng buhay ay nag-iiba sa pagitan ng mga species. Sa pagkabihag, ang mga lemur ay maaaring mabuhay nang higit sa 30 taon. Gayunpaman, nabubuhay lamang sila ng 16 - 20 taon sa ligaw.

Verreaux Sifaka Lemur or White Lemur, Madagascar

LEMUR AND HUMAN INTERACTION

Since the arrival of humans to Madagascar around 2,000 years ago, lemur habitats have been destroyed. Deforestation and hunting have decimated their habitats. Lemurs are hunted for food (bushmeat) and are illegally captured for the pet trade industry. The human population is increasing, and more land is required for urbanisation. Madagascar has a high rate of poverty. According to the World Bank, 75% of the Malagasy people live on less than $1.90 daily. This severely impacts the lemur’s population and their chance for survival due to poachers and people eating them for bushmeat.  

LEMUR AT INTERAKSYON NG TAO

Mula nang dumating ang mga tao sa Madagascar mga 2,000 taon na ang nakalilipas, ang mga tirahan ng lemur ay nawasak. Sinira ng deforestation at pangangaso ang kanilang mga tirahan. Ang mga lemur ay hinahabol para sa pagkain (bushmeat) at iligal na kinukuha para sa industriya ng pet trade. Ang populasyon ng tao ay dumarami, at mas maraming lupain ang kailangan para sa urbanisasyon. Ang Madagascar ay may mataas na antas ng kahirapan. Ayon sa World Bank, 75% ng mga Malagasy ay nabubuhay sa mas mababa sa $1.90 araw-araw. Malubhang nakakaapekto ito sa populasyon ng lemur at ang kanilang pagkakataon na mabuhay dahil sa mga mangangaso at mga taong kumakain sa kanila para sa bushmeat.

Coquerel’s Sifaka Lemur, Madagascar

Despite killing and catching lemurs being illegal in Madagascar, local people continue to do it as they have found that by keeping lemurs captive for the tourism industry, many tourists will pay a lot to get a close-up photo with a lemur. Sadly, many lemurs die as they are unsuitable as domesticated pets. Lemurs are sociable animals and need to live with other lemurs. Once domesticated, releasing them back into the wild is almost impossible. In addition, lemurs carry diseases such as parasites and bacteria, which can transfer to humans.

Another threat is the fossa, a long-tailed catlike mammal endemic to Madagascar. Snakes, large birds and introduced animals such as cats and dogs also prey on lemurs.

Sa kabila ng ilegal na pagpatay at paghuli ng mga lemur sa Madagascar, patuloy itong ginagawa ng mga lokal na tao dahil nalaman nila na sa pamamagitan ng pagpapanatiling bihag ng mga lemur para sa industriya ng turismo, maraming turista ang magbabayad ng malaki upang makakuha ng close-up na larawan na may lemur. Nakalulungkot, maraming lemur ang namamatay dahil hindi sila angkop bilang mga alagang hayop. Ang mga lemur ay mga hayop na palakaibigan at kailangang tumira kasama ng iba pang mga lemur. Kapag naaamo, ang pagpapalaya sa kanila pabalik sa ligaw ay halos imposible. Bilang karagdagan, ang mga lemur ay nagdadala ng mga sakit tulad ng mga parasito at bakterya, na maaaring ilipat sa mga tao.

Ang isa pang banta ay ang fossa, isang long-tailed catlike mammal na endemic sa Madagascar. Ang mga ahas, malalaking ibon at mga ipinakilalang hayop tulad ng pusa at aso ay nabiktima din ng mga lemur.

 

Fossa, Madagascar

CONSERVATION STATUS

Habitat loss due to deforestation and hunting for their fur and food is the leading cause of the decline in the lemur population. In addition, the slow reproduction rate impacts population growth. Therefore, lemurs must have the natural resources needed for their survival. These include a safe environment, forests, trees, large shrubs, and a plentiful supply of appropriate food. 

Many lemurs are now officially protected in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. In addition, captive breeding and release programs, scientific research and education are working to reverse the decline in lemur populations. Other programs are working on extending the life expectancy of lemurs.  

STATUS NG CONSERVATION

Ang pagkawala ng tirahan dahil sa deforestation at pangangaso para sa kanilang balahibo at pagkain ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagbaba ng populasyon ng lemur. Bilang karagdagan, ang mabagal na rate ng pagpaparami ay nakakaapekto sa paglaki ng populasyon. Samakatuwid, ang mga lemur ay dapat magkaroon ng likas na yaman na kailangan para sa kanilang kaligtasan. Kabilang dito ang isang ligtas na kapaligiran, kagubatan, puno, malalaking palumpong, at maraming suplay ng angkop na pagkain.

Maraming lemur ang opisyal na ngayong pinoprotektahan sa National Parks at Wildlife Sanctuaries. Bilang karagdagan, ang mga programa sa pagpaparami at pagpapalaya ng bihag, siyentipikong pananaliksik at edukasyon ay nagsisikap na baligtarin ang pagbaba ng populasyon ng lemur. Ang iba pang mga programa ay nagtatrabaho sa pagpapahaba ng pag-asa sa buhay ng mga lemur.

 

Ring-tailed Lemur, Madagascar

To save lemurs from extinction, they and their habitats must be protected.

Upang mailigtas ang mga lemur mula sa pagkalipol, dapat silang protektahan at ang kanilang mga tirahan.

Little Rock Zoo plans celebration for World Lemur Day Oct. 29

Alex Kienlen - Wednesday

 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Special events are planned from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Little Zoo for World Lemur Day.

Little Rock Zoo plans celebration for World Lemur Day Oct. 29© Provided by KARK Little Rock

Planned special events will take place across from the zoo's lemur habitat to have fun and honor things that make the lemur unique. Admission to World Lemur Day activities is included with general admission that Saturday.

Little Rock Zoo celebrates the birth of three tiger cubs

One activity is for a participant to waft a scent toward their friends. This honors lemurs who use their tails to flick or wave a scent to their rivals.

A jumping game will also be set up that day. This is a salute to the ability of some lemur species to jump as much as 10 feet or more.

Man gets prison for stealing lemur from California zoo

Lemurs originated in Madagascar, off the coast of Africa. Nearly all of the 100 or so species are classified as threatened or endangered.

Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

World Lemur Day and the World Lemur Festival

World Lemur Day is October 28, 2022!

World Lemur Day is celebrated on the last Friday of October. The World Lemur Festival is celebrated around the world in the weeks surrounding the day.

During the festival, we inspire people to love lemurs and join us in saving them from extinction. With 98% of lemur species threatened with extinction and 31% critically endangered, the time to act is now.

Help us celebrate lemurs and spread the word about their conservation!

2022 Event Calendar

The 2022 World Lemur Day and festival will include virtual and in person events in Madagascar and around the world, as well as fun social media from zoos and lemur fans!

2022 Event Calendar for the World Lemur Festival

The 2022 logo features a red bellied lemur and rufous mouse lemur. The graphic was created by Katy Tanis of Daughter Earth.

Celebrate lemurs with us for the World Lemur Festival this October and especially on World Lemur Day, Friday October 28, 2022!

 

World Lemur Festival Store

Sales from our TeeSpring store support lemur conservation. Find T-shirts and other products featuring lemurs and other animals from several illustrators.

Learn about Lemurs

Learn how lemurs are unique, discover interesting facts, and find out how endangered they are on the Red List. And, find teaching and professional resources from LCN and others.

Download Logo Files

We encourage you to use the World Lemur Day or Festival logos in this Dropbox folder. The illustration in the logo was created by Katy Tanis of Daughter Earth.

Participation Guide

Find virtual event ideas and easy ways that zoos, conservation organizations, educators, and individuals can participate in World Lemur Day.

Social Media Guide

Find tips for social media messaging, including event hashtags, key messages, and examples of social media posts.

The first World Lemur Festival was celebrated in 2014, and was organized by Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy of GERP Madagascar.

The first festival was held only in the capital city of Antananarivo, Madagascar. It raised awareness about the value of lemurs as Madagascar’s unique natural heritage among scientists and the general public. It aimed to awaken pride for lemurs in Malagasy people, improve the economy through tourism, and promote lemur conservation and education worldwide.

Happy World Lemur Day! Today we celebrate the lemurs!

This is event is part of our Conservation Days Series- These exciting days are celebrated around the world and these days dive into the realm of certain animals or species and highlight conservation efforts. There will be self-guided activities/crafts which will give guests a chance to learn about some of their favorite animals and how to help with their preservation. Interpretations or Keeper Chats may take place depending on the different animal and topics.