Habitat
These lemurs inhabit dry deciduous forests in a small area of northwestern Madagascar. The species' natural range is restricted to these forests, but mongoose lemurs have also been introduced to the Comoros Islands where they live in a more humid environment. This is the only species of lemur that is found outside of Madagascar.
Conservation Concerns
The dry deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar continue to be cleared to create pastureland and produce charcoal. This destruction is the primary threat to the survival of mongoose lemurs, but they are also hunted for food throughout much of their range. Additionally, they are occasionally trapped for the pet trade. Mongoose lemurs occur naturally in only one of Madagascar's protected areas-- the Ankarafantsika Nature Reserve.
There are a total of 97 mongoose lemurs in captivity worldwide. The DLC currently has a population of 26 animals (15 males, 11 females), but has not bred any mongoose lemurs for several years. The US mongoose lemur population is managed by a Species Survival Plan (SSP). Unfortunately, the SSP has had a difficult time identifying captive breeding facilities that are interested in maintaining this animal. This has resulted in a shortage of captive space available for the mongoose lemur and a general moratorium on captive breeding.