Basic HTML Version
P A G E 4
“Since 2009, we
have completed
several lemur
surveys in
Antohaka Lava
which is officially
part of the Makira
Natural Park.”
The greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) is one of
the rarest lemurs in Madagascar with at most a few
hundred individuals remaining in the wild. Weighing more
than five pounds, it is the largest bamboo lemur and the
only one with white ear tuŌs. With jaws more powerful
than the other bamboo lemurs, P. simus rouƟnely strips the
outside of live bamboo stalk to consume the inner pith
which leaves an obvious and unique feeding trace of its
presence. Although subfossil remains have been found in
many parts of Madagascar (indeed it is the most abundant
lemur in Madagascar’s northern subfossil sites), remaining
populaƟons are mainly found in south‐eastern and central‐
eastern Madagascar.
Therefore I was very surprised and skepƟcal when in
2009, during a remote lemur survey, local villagers told me
about a giant bamboo lemur with white ear tuŌs which was locally named “bokombolo‐
be” (which means “large bamboo lemur” in Malagasy). We were in the Antohaka Lava
Forest, a virtually unexplored and remote forest 20km (several days walk) south of the
nearest road by Marojejy NaƟonal Park in north‐eastern Madagascar. The closest known
populaƟons of greater bamboo lemurs are several hundred kilometers further south!
Since 2009, we have completed several lemur surveys in Antohaka Lava which is
officially part of the Makira Natural Park. Already, we have confirmed a large and
remarkable lemur assemblage there including silky sifakas (not previously known to exist
just south of Marojejy) as well as the northern‐most ruffed lemurs (Varecia) in Madagascar
which are remarkably varied in their
coloraƟon (i.e. various combinaƟons of
red, white, and black). During joint
surveys with greater bamboo lemur
specialists from the organizaƟons
Mitsinjo and the Aspinall FoundaƟon, we
have discovered about a dozen bamboo
feeding traces which everyone agrees
can only be made be a large bamboo
lemur. Although we have yet to see a P.
simus, we are now aƩempƟng to collect
fecal DNA since a number of large fibrous
fecals (scat) have been found which also
look indicaƟve of a large bamboo lemur.
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
Desperately Seeking Prolemur simus
By Erik R. Patel, PhD, DLC Post-Doctoral Project Director, SAVA Conservation
S A V A C O N S E R V A T I O N
The small bamboo lemur, Hapalemur griseus,
observed by the mission team.
(Photo by Tonkasina Jacques Harson "Jackson")
The Ruffed Lemurs, or Varecia, found by the
mission team exhibited a fur color and
pattern intermediate between Black and
Whites and Red Ruffed Lemurs
(Photo by Tonkasina Jacques Harson "Jackson")