Lovely Lemurs: Mr. Canopy’s Madagascar Mission – The Adventures of Berg Canopy

Dear readers,

Today, I find myself in Madagascar, a beautiful island country in Africa full of rich culture and history. Madagascar is also home to approximately 200,000 different animal species, and about 150,000 of them are endemic, or native, to the land. Some of the most famous animals who live there are the Gecko, Tortoise and Chameleon. Although I love all these animals dearly, I am here for one: the lemur.

Lemurs are curious creatures. Calling Madagascar, the island located 250 miles east of continental Africa — the world’s 4th largest island, in fact — home, more than 100 lemur species move about mostly silently. In lemur society, the females are truly the strength of the species, displaying dominance, directing social groups and, when necessary, stealing food from male lemurs and kicking them out of sleeping places.

I was thrilled to receive a call from my longtime friend, Fanilo. His name means “torch” in Malagasy, one of Magadascar’s two official languages, along with French. Fanilo invited me to investigate a local lemur, Boko, who was allegedly scaring the locals. Knowing well I could never refuse the chance to study lemurs live and eat delicious mofo sakay, or spicy bread, I accepted gladly and boarded the next plane there.

When I arrived, Fanilo told me the locals had been spotting a “ghost” lemur in the area. Apparently, it had been showing up around the community, looking at people with huge blue eyes that never seemed to blink. I asked to see this supposed ghastly being, and Fanilo took me to it.

The “ghost” in question was not scary but rather just being itself. Boko was a Sclater lemur, a type of lemur known for being one of the only primates other than humans to have blue eyes. The locals were scared of him because they were unaware it was possible to find a lemur of this kind. Also, it was not with other lemurs because it had gotten lost. Apparently, Boko had been raised for part of his life by Indri lemurs. Luckily, I had a plan to help return him to his family.

“Singing?” Fanilo asked. “We’ll find Boko’s family by singing?”

“That’s right, my friend,” I replied. “Indri lemurs are known for singing a capella. They do it largely to mark their territory. If they’re nearby, we’ll find them.”

“How fascinating!” remarked Fanilo.

“Yes, especially considering how it’s either that or stink fights…,” I said, adding, “some details are better left unexamined until the proper time comes.”

“I’ll… take your word for it,” Fanilo replied.

Then, we set out for the local rainforest.

In the rainforest, it did not take long for Fanilo and I to locate the other lemurs. Well, I suppose we rather heard them because, sure enough, their voices were undeniably lemur-like. When Fanilo and I saw them, we were pleased to witness the hallowed harmony that came from their mouths like honey from the pot. It was pure bliss, and they took back the blue-eyed Boko without hesitation. Just like that, he and his family were reunited. My mission was successful, and I shed a lemur-sized tear of joy at the sight of the reunion.

Before leaving Madagascar, Fanilo and I each ate one more bowl of mofo sakay. What can I say? I love the stuff! Then, we bid each other farewell, and I promised I would one day return to this incredible place.

“I know you cannot stay longer because you have your research and work to do, my friend,” Fanilo said with a huge smile. “I look forward to seeing you again and hope you will be back soon, though.”

“I do wish I could spend more time here in your gorgeous country, but the work of an ecological zoologist waits for no one,” I replied with an equally enormous smile. “We are helping to improve the world for animals and humans, after all. I can’t wait to return, either.”

As I approached the taxi that was waiting to take me to the airport so I could catch my flight back, I swore I heard something that resembled singing followed by a series of sounds that seemed like, “Mifankahita indray,” meaning see you soon, coming from a family of Indri lemurs accompanied by a certain blue-eyed Sclater lemur. In fact, when I looked from the rainforest behind me to the setting sun in front of me, I pictured the face of the “ghost” whose family Fanilo and I had helped locate. My time with Boko and his family had really left an impression on me.

Alas, my time in Madagascar is coming to a close as I have been told my return flight to Animalia will soon arrive at the airport from which I have recounted my lemur tale. So, my friends, it is here I must leave you and return another day with details about another animal on this picturesque planet called Earth.

Stay curious,

Mr. Canopy

Animal Attributes

Name: Lemur
Scientific Name: Lemuroidea
Class: Mammalia (Mammals)
Order: Primate
Gestation Period: 63-168 days
Young Are Called: Infant
Groups Are Called: Troops
Number of Species: More than 100
Country/Countries: Madagascar (with numerous sanctuaries and zoos worldwide)
Habitat(s): Mostly trees; wide range possible (mountains, forests, rainforests, deserts, etc.)
Conservation Status/Endangerment Level: Endangered or critically endangered depending on species; threats include hunting, deforestation and other issues
How to See: Outside Madagascar, lemurs live in many sanctuaries and zoos around the globe, so chances are you can find a place near you to see them.
Fun to Know: Some types of lemurs, such as the Indiri lemur, have been reported to possess a natural sense of rhythm. Aside from humans and birds, lemurs appear to have some inherent music sense, with certain sounds and beats, like those in dance, electronic and hip-hop music, being particularly conducive to dance (not unlike the famous King Julian from the popular Madagascar films!)
Important to Know: Lemurs face numerous threats, including habitat destruction, being stolen to become exotic pets and being hunted for meat.
What You Can Do/How You Can Help: You help support charitable organizations (like the Wilder Institute) that provide human and technology to protect endangered species through nursing, tracking and other means.

Experience Lemurs

Look: 100 Lemurs Image Gallery (Duke Lemur Center)
Listen: What Do Lemurs Sound Like? (Duke Lemur Center)
Explore: Special, Super Exciting Bonus Video (YouTube)

References/Further Reading

Can’t get enough lovely lemurs? To learn more about these cool creatures, check out the following:

Disclaimer: Mr. Canopy makes every effort to ensure the information he shares with his readers is accurate. Since he is — and the sources he consults are researched and written by at least one — human, however, minor discrepancies can exist. Additionally, any views or opinions expressed in this post as well as throughout this blog belong solely to Berg Canopy of The Adventures of Berg Canopy. Consequently, they represent the perspectives only of these entities and in no way aim to disparage any creative or factual works cited.