Unfortunately humans are having a huge impact on lemurs. Scientists rank lemurs the most endangered primate. One thing humans are doing is cutting and burning the forests of Madagascar that lemurs live in to clear land for farming. Only 10% of vegetation in Madagascar remains. Hunting is also a big threat to lemurs from humans. Lemur is a traditional food for the people of Madagascar. Aye ayes face a special danger. It is a belief of the Betsimasaraka people to kill any aye ayes they see. Aye ayes are thought to be bad luck.

There are many lemur conservation groups around. Because there are only small islands of forests left one group is connecting patches of forests with ‘corridors’ so animals can move between the patches and have more room. Other groups work on protecting the remaining patches or rehoming lemurs in protected reserves and treating sick animals.

There are heaps of good things about keeping lemurs in captivity but also just as many bad things. Lemurs generally live longer in captivity for up to 30 years and lemurs in the wild only live up to 15. Lemurs in captivity can suffer a disease called renal disease which is caused by an increased life span. Fights are more common in captivity as they are in enclosed spaces with no changes in surroundings. In zoos lemurs are protected against predators, hunters and poachers. Lemurs also get vet treatment if they get sick. Keepers in zoos also make sure that lemurs don’t get bored by giving them heaps of equipment to climb on and hiding their food so they have to search for it like they would in the wild.

The main threat for grey shanked douc from humans is hunting for bush meat and skins. People also make monkey balm oil out of their bones and alcohol. Only about remain in captivity and the wild. People are also cutting down the rainforests of Vietnam to clear land for farming and for fuel.

Cotton top Tamarins are endangered because the forests of Columbia where they live is been destroyed for farming land and land for houses. Cotton top Tamarins rely on the forest for food and shelter.