Amid a curious die off of Verreaux's sifkas
(Propithecus verreauxi) specialists meeting in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, decided to upgrade all nine species of sifaka lemurs to critically endangered. Verreaux's sifaka's have suffered at least thirty-one deaths in the Berenty Reserve near the island's southern tip. Scientists speculate that a tick-borne disease may be the cause. The deaths are particularly devastating to the species which has been declining for decades due to the fragmentation of its spiny forest home. Berernty is a private reserve that features the lemurs as a tourist attraction. At least two troops numbering up to fourteen individuals each have been killed since late March The lemur is quite striking, with a white coat of fur topped by a cinnamon-colored crown. Lemurs are classified as primates, the same order including
homo sapiens
Scientists have observed sick lemurs dragging their paralyzed hind legs across the forest floor. Usually they can leap ten feet from tree to tree, or sideways on the ground with their powerful legs. The paralysis spread to their lungs, causing death by respiratory failure. Almost all the dead were males. Tick-born rickettsial bacteria could be the cause of the paralysis due to neurotoxins. All the dead were covered with ticks. Territorial disputes have been ruled out as a cause since the bodies showed no signs of violence. Conservationists are hoping that the illness is localized since no more deaths have occurred since April 30th. None of the neighboring ring tail lemurs have been affected. Tissue and blood samples have been sent to the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, and a veterinarian team from Germany is on the scene to assist Malagasy caretakers.
