rubra fed on the fruits of the non-native pioneer shrub Clidemia hirta, while also dispersing native and non-native seed species into the regenerating forest parcels.Ĭopyright: All rights reserved. Although 92% of fecal samples with seeds were dispersed into the undisturbed forest, V. The home ranges of 2 of the 3 groups overlapped with the regenerating forest parcels. The median seed dispersal distance from the potential parent plant was 48 m (mean = 83 m, range 0-568 m, n = 194). We traced the potential parent plants of 20 dispersed-seed species to calculate a gut passage range (63-423 min mean = 225, n = 35). Seeds from 75% of the consumed fruit species were recovered in the collected V. Fruits accounted for 61% of the diet, with an average foraging time of 10 min per fruit patch per day. We studied the diet and seed dispersal patterns of 3 groups of habituated red-ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra) in a rain forest restoration site in Masoala National Park, Madagascar, to assess the species' seed dispersal effectiveness. Not only does this mission aim to save these lost individuals, but also to bring back the red ruffed lemur population in Farankaraina for long-term conservation.Frugivorous primates can play a critical role in the regeneration of degraded habitats by dispersing seeds of their food plants. Captured in the Ambolohosy forest, the red ruffed lemurs were then transferred and released in the Farankaraina forest, a protected area that is about one hour from the Ambolohosy forest by speedboat.Ī recent update from the field confirms that the five translocated individuals are doing well and have very well adapted to their new environment. To rescue the groups of red ruffed lemurs living in a degraded habitat in the Ambolohosy forest (Maroantsetra, Analanjirofo Region), IMPACT Madagascar’s team, with GERP, and in partnership with the NGO Antongil Conservation, translocated five individuals of this species. Therefore, it is highly recommended to save the remaining members of this species, using various approaches of conservation. In the wild, the red ruffed lemur species is subject to human pressures (such as deforestation, fragmentation and hunting) which dramatically decrease the population size. The distribution area of this species is limited to the north-east region of Madagascar, where it can be found in the primary forests of the Masoala peninsula and Antongil bay. The red ruffed lemur, Varecia Rubra, classified as critically endangered from the IUCN Red list, is listed as one of Top 25 most threatened primates in the world.

Red ruffed lemur