Halloween is traditionally all about supernatural dangers such as ghosts, vampires or witches; yet, the constant global threats to nature and wildlife are equally grim. It is simply horrifying to think that, for instance, wild ring-tailed lemur populations have decreased by 95% since 2000 due to massive habitat loss, bushmeat hunting and illegal pet trade.
Since 2014, the last Friday in October marks World Lemur Day, dedicated to raising awareness of the prosimians endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands. Out of the 103 lemur species we currently know of, 24 are critically endangered and 49 – including ring-tailed lemurs – are endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red list of Threatened Species.
Our Zoo is home to two lemur specie under the European Endangered Species Program (EAZA EEP); a black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) and a very successful breeding group of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) – the latter you can even meet up close on Catta Walk.
Debrecen Zoo and Amusement Park
