Multi-billionaire businessman and quasi-celebrity Sir Richard Branson wants to bring endangered Madagascan lemurs to the two islands he owns in the Caribbean. The lemur's natural rainforest habitat in Madagascar, the only place in the world where they are found wild, is experiencing an ever increasing rate of deforestation from illegal logging. The situation has worsened in the last few years as the countries political situation has deteriorated.
Branson's motives appear relatively unknown but financial gain seems unlikely considering the one island he owns that operates commercially is a high-end eco-resort which wouldn't seem to benefit enormously should lemurs appear. However, lemurs are commodities and increasingly valuable due to their endangered being. Assuming his interests are environmentally and conservation driven then the lemurs would be free to utilise the forests of his two islands, located in the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands, Moskito and Necker.
However, despite approval from the government of the British Virgin Islands and with consultancy from the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary in South Africa there has been strong objections from conservationists.
Introducing a non-native species to an environment for conservation is rarely done due to the unpredictable nature of the outcomes. The International Union for the Conservations of Nature's Species Survival Commission (IUCN) has pointed to history demonstrating the disastrous consequences of introducing non-native species. In particular cane toads and rabbits in Australia that have crippled much of Australia's wildlife and wiped out native species. They also say that previous experience has shown us that, "the damage done by harmful introductions to natural systems far outweighs the benefit derived from."
The introduction of the lemurs will undoubtedly provide local species with competition for food, both plant and animal, as not all lemurs faithfully subscribe to a diet of just fruit. More than likely, this increased competition will be detrimental to the numbers of once species; either the lemurs or the natives.
Whilst the relocation of endangered animals is increasingly considered an option by the wildlife conservation community due to the plethora of environmental factors affecting such species. However, most relocations are quite local as so not to upset the fragile biodiversity of habitats; precisely not what Branson seeks to do in just a few short weeks.
Branson's motives appear relatively unknown but financial gain seems unlikely considering the one island he owns that operates commercially is a high-end eco-resort which wouldn't seem to benefit enormously should lemurs appear. However, lemurs are commodities and increasingly valuable due to their endangered being. Assuming his interests are environmentally and conservation driven then the lemurs would be free to utilise the forests of his two islands, located in the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands, Moskito and Necker.
However, despite approval from the government of the British Virgin Islands and with consultancy from the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary in South Africa there has been strong objections from conservationists.
Introducing a non-native species to an environment for conservation is rarely done due to the unpredictable nature of the outcomes. The International Union for the Conservations of Nature's Species Survival Commission (IUCN) has pointed to history demonstrating the disastrous consequences of introducing non-native species. In particular cane toads and rabbits in Australia that have crippled much of Australia's wildlife and wiped out native species. They also say that previous experience has shown us that, "the damage done by harmful introductions to natural systems far outweighs the benefit derived from."
The introduction of the lemurs will undoubtedly provide local species with competition for food, both plant and animal, as not all lemurs faithfully subscribe to a diet of just fruit. More than likely, this increased competition will be detrimental to the numbers of once species; either the lemurs or the natives.
Whilst the relocation of endangered animals is increasingly considered an option by the wildlife conservation community due to the plethora of environmental factors affecting such species. However, most relocations are quite local as so not to upset the fragile biodiversity of habitats; precisely not what Branson seeks to do in just a few short weeks.
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