Habitat/Conservation
Red ruffed lemurs are restricted to the forests of the Masoala Peninsula near Maroantsetra in northeastern Madagascar. They have been seen just east of the Antainambalana River, which divides their range from that of the black and white ruffed lemurs. The future of wild populations of the red ruffed lemur became much brighter when, in March of 1997, the 840 square mile Masoala National Park, Madagascar's largest protected area, was established. Previous to the establishment of this park, deforestation in their range and hunting and trapping of the ruffed lemurs for food had dramatically reduced their numbers.
Conservation Concerns
The captive worldwide population of red ruffed lemurs stands at 400 animals (218 males and 182 females). The population is managed by a Species Survival Plan. The DLC maintains 13 red ruffed lemurs (4 males and 9 females), which includes two breeding pairs.