Animals (Oct 2022)

Zoo-Led Initiatives and Their Role in Lemur Conservation In Situ

  • Caterina Spiezio,
  • Barbara Regaiolli,
  • Margherita Savonitto,
  • Simon Bruslund,
  • Stefano Vaglio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202772
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 20
p. 2772

Abstract

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We examined wider society’s ability to achieve biodiversity conservation and management targets using lemurs as a case study. We evaluated the impact on lemur conservation in situ by conservation initiatives led by European zoos in Madagascar exploring the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s Conservation Database projects in terms of performed actions and achieved goals as well as communication to the public. We found that zoo-led conservation initiatives may have a positive impact on the ground and tend to achieve most conservation goals related to wild lemurs. However, we suggest that such conservation programmes should underline that they target further lemur species beyond the flagship charismatic species and that enhanced communication efforts would be beneficial to further raise public awareness.

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