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NEWSN°17/DECEMBER 2020

Editorial IN SITU CONSERVATION

One effect from 2020 is for sure: Uncertainty. Forward planning is largely News from the Little Fireface First, our annual SLOW event was impossible. We are acting and reacting Project, Java, celebrated world-wide, including along the current situation caused by the By Prof K.A.I. Nekaris, MA, PhD by project partners Kukang Rescue Covid-19 pandemic. All zoos are struggling Director of the Little Fireface Project Program Sumatra, EAST Vietnam, Love economically after (and still ongoing) Wildlife Thailand, NE temporary closures and restricted business. The Little Fireface Project team has Investments in development are postponed Centre India, and the Bangladesh Slow at least. Each budget must be reviewed. been busy! Despite COVID we have Project, to name a few. The end In the last newsletter we mentioned not been able to keep up with our wild of the week resulted in a loris virtual to forget about the support of the in situ radio collared slow , including conference, featuring speakers from conservation efforts. Some of these under welcoming many new babies into the the helm of the Prosimian TAG are crucial 11 loris range countries. Over 200 for the survival of – and for a more family. The ‘cover photo’ you see here people registered, and via Facebook sustainable life for the people involved in is Smol – the daughter of Lupak – and Live, more than 6000 people watched rd some of the poorest countries in the world. is our first 3 generation ! Having the event. Through uniting new watched Grandmother Charlie since and upcoming loris researchers and This newsletter gives some emphasise on 2012, and continuing to watch Lupak’s in situ activities for the Southeast Asian conservationists in so many range Lorises and the Greater Bamboo in mother Lucu, we hope to see Smol go countries, our goal is to at long last . Case studies on educational on to be successful as well. develop a slow and action activities in EAZA zoos and in situ plan for Asia. You can still watch the demonstrate the connection of different approaches for one successful conservation conference via our Facebook page! achievement. One aspect that may need to be Practical husbandry advice lead to the core implemented into such a plan is and origin of our activities namely the ex situ propagation of prosimians. And there improving connectivity for the are three mentions of individual lorises’ rapidly diminishing habitat. which remind us that the basis for our Electrocution and roadkill were both higher goals - namely the conservation considered major threats. In our own Smol © Little Fireface Project of species – are the , individual project in Java, we have already been animals. In addition to our field work, we have trialing water hose pipe bridges to as a Summing up: This newsletter is filled been busy trying to engage in as potential solution in agricultural areas. with reports and news demonstrating much outreach as possible. Not only Published in the open access journal th that activities for prosimians and their did we celebrate the 9 annual Slow Diversity, we confirmed that arboreal conservation go on. And despite all the (and Slender) Loris Outreach Week wildlife bridges are being used by uncertainty we are sure that we can tell in October, but we also published from more achievements in the next year. Nycticebus With all good wishes and thanks for your findings of two important research javanicus, as well as other species of interest and support. and conservation projects, as well and birds in Java, Indonesia. as officially receiving certification by Achim Johann the Wildlife FriendlyTM network for a The paper, titled ‘Implementing and EAZA Prosimian TAG Chair coffee-growing project in Java. [email protected] monitoring the use of artificial canopy IN SITU CONSERVATION IN SITU CONSERVATION bridges by mammals and birds in an Javan venom is to injure and monitored wounds inflicted 2019. My study aimed to investigate collection proved to be a valuable Michelle is a nature and agroforestry environment, Indonesia’ – and even kill – other slow lorises. by other slow lorises, which even aspects of feeding ecology and source of information about Greater lover. She’s also been a member details how simple wildlife bridges The paper titled ‘Slow lorises use resulted in some animals losing activity pattern of Greater Bamboo Bamboo Lemurs’ behavioural and of Helpsimus for many years and which also act as water irrigation venom as a weapon in intraspecific fingers, toes or ears, demonstrating Lemurs inhabiting non-protected, ecological flexibility. decided to extend her art to Greater pipes for local farmers growing competition’, details that slow lorises the potency of their venom. Fights anthropogenic areas. Bamboo Lemurs and Red-bellied coffee and other cash crops, are use venom as a defense mechanism are more common in younger Lemurs after she was inspired by providing a lifeline for this rare but against others of its kind, something animals trying to find a new , The analysis of feeding data pictures made on the beautiful species. that has previously only been seen in but this level of aggression is rare demonstrated that Greater Bamboo program site. Painting lemurs or four other species worldwide. Only among related species of . Lemurs inhabiting the rural primates isn’t an easy task: the color six mammals worldwide are known Why is this relevant to conservation commune of Tsaratanana have a and details of the fur are indeed very to use venom, but mostly to prey on and captive management? In two more diverse diet in comparison difficult to render. other species, which makes this rare separate reviews of mortality in to their congeners in Ranomafana use of venom all the more unusual. EU and North American zoos, National Park. The results showed This work was also made available in venomous bites were found to be that plantations of exotic plant © HELPSIMUS a children’s version, with slow lorises one of the major causes of death species may provide the additional Further monitoring may benefit in the October 2020 cover stars of in slow lorises. It is also a major source of food as the most frequent a broader understanding of how National Geographic Kids! cause of death in rescue centres. non-native plant species consumed these ‘specialist’ primates adapted to Tereh on water line © Little Fireface Project Furthermore, the knowledge of by Prolemur simus were manioc degraded and anthropogenic areas. The bridges were put up at an We have continuously followed the just how territorial slow lorises (Manihot esculenta), sugarcane average height of 4.5 m and varied slow lorises since 2012 to obtain are means that translocations and (Saccharum sp.) and rice (Oryza The above results emphasize the from several to almost 100 m long, these results. Until now we have reintroductions need to take place sativa). importance of the crop protection Painting of Greater Bamboo Lemurs by M. Perroux © D. Roullet with camera traps placed at either tracked 82 individual slow lorises incredibly carefully. Often these project in the conservation of the She donates her lemur paintings to end. Slow lorises began using the via radio collars, revealing that both are done on the knowledge that The camera traps data were used to . Helpsimus who’s offering them to bridges 10-15 days after they were males and females are intensely ‘lorises are found in the area’, and determine the temporal distribution sell during its conservation weekends installed, whereas Javan palm civets territorial. In fact, 30% of all females thus animals are released, usually of Greater Bamboo Lemurs’ activity in order to raise funds for protecting took about 36 days. Now, both and almost 60% of males studied without any monitoring. Our works using kernel density estimates. Art for Conservation the Greater Bamboo Lemurs and species use them regularly and showed at least one venomous shows that the extreme territoriality By Florence Perroux, Education and In other lemur species on its study site. happily, enabling them to safely cross bite wound, and 20% of all slow of the species is likely to lead to the situ Conservation officer, La Palmyre Zoo from one habitat to another. lorises captured showed evidence of displacement death of the incomer & Delphine Roullet , Helpsimus President intraspecific fighting. or the resident. and EAZA Prosimian TAG Vice-Chair

This work is directly linked to our Michelle Perroux is a French amateur Wildlife FriendlyTM certification. Furthermore, to create venom, slow painter who lives in the Southern We work with over 400 coffee lorises raise their arms over their Alps and has specialized in painting farmers in West Java to raise head, where they combine oil from mountain scenes, cows and other awareness of slow lorises whilst the upper arm to saliva in their animals on wood. Painting of Red-bellied Lemurs by M. Perroux © D. Roullet also safeguarding livelihoods. Since mouths to produce venom that can © HELPSIMUS 2014, our programme has involved then be injected with their teeth. Michelle’s paintings arouse emotion This typical rural art is called planting native trees and wildlife Their teeth are often removed when in people and thus help to raise “poya painting” and was born friendly crops (such as coffee), which they are illegally captured for exotic awareness about Greater Bamboo Katey severely injured © Little Fireface Project in Switzerland between 1830 provides much needed habitat for pets or for when they are used Lemurs and their plight in the wild. and 1850. It is usually made of a slow lorises but also an income Venom is known to play at least as props in tourist photos. A loris colorful universe populated by for local farmers. The new Wildlife 14 distinct ecological roles, but without teeth is essentially helpless cows and animals participating in FriendlyTM Certification will give intraspecific competition is amongst and can never be released to the Helpsimus news transhumance in the alpine pastures. Javan farmers the opportunity to the rarest. Slow loris bites are very wild. By Delphine Roullet , Helpsimus Founder It traditionally adorned the façades sell their coffee around the world, distinctive and are unlike those seen & President © HELPSIMUS of many houses in the Alps since the giving consumers the opportunity to in other animals. early 19th century. buy ethical and sustainable coffee. Preliminary study on the flexibility Cameras located inside the forest Unfortunately this year we had to Farmers can now sell their product of Greater Bamboo Lemurs on fragment recorded more diurnal cancel the Simus Festival because at a higher price, ensuring that they Helpsimus study site activities, whereas cameras from of the COVID-19 crisis. But we still receive a fair wage and are able By Aleksandra Nazim, Student at Oxford the edge of the forest, close to the celebrated the World Lemur Day to continue farming sustainably, Brookes University rice fields, recorded much more on October 10 with the children benefitting both the local community nocturnal activities. Lemurs seem of Sahofika school who created a and slow lorises. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that to adapt their cathemeral activity banner and colorful lemur masks. prevented traveling to the Helpsimus pattern to local conditions - crop- They shared their commitment to On a different note, further new field site, I had a chance to analyse raiding on local rice fields. the protection of Greater Bamboo research we published in Current Katey severely injured © Little Fireface Project the data collected by Helpsimus’ Lemurs by singing a song. Biology reveals that a major use of Throughout this study we recorded field guides between 2014 and Helpsimus’ monitoring and data Poya painting by M. Perroux © F. Perroux IN SITU CONSERVATION IN SITU CONSERVATION

Videos can be seen here: How zoos play a vital role in of the program over the years, successfully prevented since 1993, in 2014 was the late Petr Čolas. supported by the program and in https://tinyurl.com/y4ygmmcb supporting the Kukang Rescue the Kukang RP managed to and rescue breeding programs He was a great conservationist two librairies accessible to local https://tinyurl.com/y645sb2x Program activities establish cooperation with other in zoos and the controlled return and visionary who worked hard communities. The partnering https://tinyurl.com/y2objj85 zoos - namely Hodonín Zoo and of species to the wild are among for many years to make Ostrava zoos have received pdf versions in The Kukang Rescue Program Na Hrádečku Zoo in the Czech the main measures that have Zoo a leading conservation Czech, English or Polish language. was created in 2014 by František Republic, Wrocław Zoo in Poland, made this achievement possible. institution supporting field Příbrský, who had just graduate NaturZoo Rheine in Germany, The support of field nature projects in different parts of the of the Czech University of Life Ouwehands Zoo in Netherlands conservation is another important world. There is no doubt that he Sciences in Prague, started and recently with the Prague aspect of the contribution of succeeded. to work for Ostrava Zoo as a Zoo on a specific program zoos in saving biodiversity. “Zoos field zoologist in Indonesia and about pangolins conservation. of today already have enough “All partner zoos deserve our decided to establish a hitherto Furthermore, the program is knowledge, and especially the sincere gratitude and great Kids with their masks © Helpsimus missing rescue and rehabilitation part of the Prosimian TAG’s in means, to effectively protect thanks for their partnership Our educator Mary organized centre for slow lorises threatened situ Conservation Plan and is animal species around the and support of The Kukang © Kukang Rescue Program handwashing awareness workshops by and the illegal pet supported by the WAZA. world. They thus become really Rescue Program. The activities in all our partnering schools, trade. “Without the trust and financial significant players in the field of and successes we managed to including the construction of “tippy and moral support of these zoos, nature conservation” explains achieve in those 6 years were taps”. the operation and development of František Příbrský, Director of possible thanks to them. I think The Kukang Rescue Program would The Kukang Rescue Program and we can all be justifiably proud be much more difficult, if not Coordinator of the international of our modern zoos, because impossible,” according to Jennie in situ projects at the Ostrava Zoo. not only are they critical gene Natalia Simanjuntak, Director banks for the conservation of of the PASAL Foundation under The Kukang Rescue Program many species, but they are also © Kukang Rescue Program which the Kukang RP in Sumatra is also mobilized the Czech zoos becoming increasingly important Female Greater Slow Loris in the KR Center © Lucie Cizmarova run. Through their partnership, all around the “Stolen Wildlife conservation institutions to help The zoo helped to finance the Tippy-tap © Helpsimus these zoos together contribute to campaign” that informed survive Next year the program plans to establishment of the centre a unified conservation strategy for about the illegal wildlife trade around the world. The Kukang expand the distribution to local Adaptation is usually the key in itself and thus became the main species both in human care and in in Europe and especially in the Rescue Program is a living proof of schools. Madagascar. The COVID-19 crisis was partner of the program. The no exception to the rule but it helped the wild. Czech Republic. Since 2018, this” adds František Příbrský. us to restart the embroidery project Olomouc Zoo quickly became several other European zoos Please note that the Kukang RP which had remained on standby the second main partner of The importance of zoos have joined the campaign and has just released its new website: since March and the beginning of the the program, employing Lucie in preserving wildlife is displayed the exhibition of Kukang Rescue Program’s new https://www.kukang.org/en/ lockdown. Čižmářová, the coordinator of unquestionable as the IUCN its educational photographs. education material veterinary care and welfare of officially declared in October 2019 “Zoos are visited by millions of the Kukang Program. The Liberec in its Abu Dhabi Call for Global people every year, making it The Kukang Rescue Program has SLOW 2020 Virtual Conference Zoo also joined the program Species Conservation Action. In ideal educational institutions. produced a coloring book telling by supporting the education of this document, experts call for an Thanks to the photographs of the story of Gerhana, a baby slow On October 24th took place the local communities specifically urgent and effective solution to Stolen Wildlife installed in the loris captured from the wild and SLOW 2020 Virtual Conference. the operation of the English- the unprecedented, unsustainable zoo area, many people will rescued by the Kukang Rescue With almost 5300 views on Environmental School for children and ever-increasing impact of learn about the problem of Center before being released into Facebook with a reach of 33,500 living near the rescue centre in human activity on wildlife - and illegal trade in animals. And it is the forest with his mother. and 173 questions and comments, Sewing machine © Helpsimus the village of Bandar Baru. the need to cooperate with zoos them who can directly influence the conference was a big success! We now has become a key theme. Without the disappearance of animal have new the initiative of progressive zoos, species from nature by changing It was organized by the Little objectives: the current rate of man-made their own behaviour,” says the Fireface Project and can be seen making cloth would be three to four author of the photographs Lucie here: https://tinyurl.com/yyof62lj face masks to times greater is also evidenced Čižmářová. be distributed Villagers wearing masks © Helpsimus by a new study published in the in our partnering villages. 1000 scientific journal Conservation The spiritual father of this have already been made but it’s far © Kukang Rescue Program Letters. According to this study, campaign, as well as the main from sufficient to cover our needs. Kids at school © Lucie Cizmarova It is distributed to children in the 2 embroiders are being trained and the extinction of 48 species of architect of the zoo’s partnership English-environmental school will help us to fight the virus spread. With the developing activities mammals and birds has been with The Kukang Rescue Program NEWS FROM ZOOS NEWS FROM ZOOS

Goodbye Silver, the old wise lemur! Silver was discreet and remained infant in March 2020 (after he systematically done under the keeper infants. By Barbara Regaiolli, Researcher - surprisingly sprightly and active till accidentally fall on the floor and was supervision. Animal Behaviour and Welfare & the last days before leaving for the then severely bitten by the adult We have managed the group like Caterina Spiezio, Head of Research & Lemurs’ Heaven. male Noro once he was on the floor), The first interactions between Noro some Crowned Lemurs’ groups Conservation Department and Lemur We will miss you, Silver, thank you we decided to separate the pair at and the infant were a bit tense. Noro that are more nervous. Indeed, catta EEP Coordinator at Parco Natura for a job, well done! first. Protected contact between Flisa scowled at Dimby and didn’t seem this kind of behavior is usually Viva, Italy. and Noro was allowed during the day completely at ease when the infant observed in more nervous lemur (through a wire mesh). was close to him. We didn’t observe species (i.e. Crowned Lemurs) and Silver, the 32-year-old Black-and- any formal aggressive behavior from in females. Noro’s behavior is thus white Varecia( On July 25, Flisa and Noro were let Noro but we decided not to rush unconventional. Unfortunately, variegata) of Parco Natura Viva in together day and night and one of and to proceed step-by-step. The it won’t be possible to see how Italy, died last October, yet another the twin was even seen on Noro’s idea was to wait until Dimby was a Noro will behave with a next infant bad event of this 2020. He was the © Dudley Zoo back for a while on July 26. bit more independent from Flisa and to come as we have received a very first black and white ruffed The park has also built a moves alone. recommandation from the EEP to put lemur of the park, an important conservation “hut” to show and Flisa under contraception. heritage. teach visitors how zoos collaborate On October 6, Dimby started to © Barbara Regaiolli with in situ partners such as the refuse to go back to his mother at AEECL. night. It was then more complicated Death of a wonder sifaka! A Ring-tailed Lemur statue to to separate the pair as Dimby didn’t By Delphine Roullet, EAZA Prosimian TAG raise awareness of lemurs’ systematically join Flisa in her cage. Vice-Chair plight at Dudley Zoo Noro didn’t seem stressed by the I thought she had superpowers. Flisa, Noro and the twins on July 27 © F. Perroux I thought she was immortal. Recently the park has installed a presence of the infant and no But I was wrong… Holy died in large statue of a Ring-tailed Lemur in During the next 3 weeks, everything aggressive behavior was noted. August at the age of 30. its lemur walkthrough exhibit. went well. No sign of stress was observed and Noro showed no On October 8, after we regularly 30 years! © Dudley Zoo agonistic behavior towards the twins. observed Dimby on Noro’s back (Noro showing no stress) as well as regular contacts between them, So far the statue has raised great the whole family was kept together interest amongst visitors as well as in during the whole day. lemurs... © Sara Castellazzi On October 12, the family was Delphine Roullet, the EEP definitely reunited day and night. Coordinator of the species, said: Since that day, everything is going “Silver was the oldest B&W Ruffed © Dudley Zoo very well. Noro and Dimby seem Lemur in the EEP population. He was Noro licking one of the twins on July 27 © F. Perroux very close. When Dimby doesn’t the fourth animal having lived the The statue is called “leap of faith” But on August 15, one of the infant want to go back to the building in the longest in captivity in Europe (within and symbolises the threats to lemurs was killed by Noro. Unfortunately, evening, Noro is even going outside the EEP population) - The animal that in Madagascar: , the keepers were not in close to pick him up while Flisa has already lived the longest died at almost 36. , slash-and-burn, hunting... proximity to the enclosure so we started to eat her evening meal! There are 81 descendants from him © Dudley Zoo weren’t able to see how it happened. in the EEP population (4 generations The idea is to highlight and raise - among them 38 are still alive) of awareness of the worrying plight of From that time, Noro and Flisa were which 15 direct descendants.” the lemurs on the island. First birth of Red-bellied Lemur separated day and night. They still Good job, Silver! twins at La Palmyre Zoo: an update By Florence Perroux, Education and In had a protected contact during Holy and one of her baby © F-G. Grandin the day through a wire mesh. We Silver was a very calm lemur and situ Conservation officer decided to keep them separated and Well, we assume she was 30 has been an extremely wise leader years old. Holy was wild born in Flisa, our female Red-bellied Lemur wait for the remaining infant, Dimby, of the Parco Natura Viva group for Madagascar and arrived in Europe in (Eulemur rubriventer) gave birth to to be older and stronger before several years. While other Black-and- Flisa and Dimby on September 4 © F. Perroux putting the pair together again. 1993. white Ruffed Lemurs in the park are twins on July 22, 2020. The behavior of Noro is quite often brawler and a bit lunatic, Silver On September 28, we started with unusual within that species who She was one of the founders of the was always quiet and ruled over The infants appeared in good the progressive contact protocol. lives in small family groups with a Crowned Sifaka European captive other lemurs with good manners, health, both hanging perfectly well Each contact period lasted between very strong cohesion between its population. deserving their respect for all the on their mother’s hips and were quickly observed suckling. However, 15 and 50 minutes (depending members. Nothing in Noro’s past lifelong. Especially in the last years, She was an incredibly special © Dudley Zoo following the death of Flisa’s first on keepers’ availability) and was history explains his behavior with the NEWS FROM ZOOS NEWS FROM ZOOS lemur. Holy had abnormal nipples host this species, the children had to canteens created by Helpsimus. very first step, but we need to of Red-bellied Lemurs (Eulemur that prevented her from feeding find information on their own before Using pieces of wood and strings, remember that ex situ conservation rubriventer), the second by a her babies. But as she was wild explaining their challenge to the zoo the children built several signs for goes hand in hand with in situ breeding pair of Red-collared Brown born, it was essential that she had visitors. the two school gardens. They will be conservation. Lemur (Eulemur collaris) and the descendants. So, we trained her to used by Helpsimus in the framework third by an old pair of Red-ruffed let keepers take her baby from her to of its environmental education Lemur (Varecia rubra). feed it. And it worked! This hand- program. New mixed-species enclosure for rearing technique was extended lemurs at Tierpark Berlin later to all the females of the EEP By Dr. Andreas Pauly, Veterinarian and and helped to decrease the high curator of primates, Tierpark Berlin mortality rate of newborns. In summer 2020 a new mixed- We learned so much from her. She species enclosure for lemurs was inspired the current management opened at Tierpark Berlin. This exhibit comprises the former inside of the EEP population. Holy was Sentenza at Cotswold © Cotswold Willide Park very patient, a quiet animal and and outside enclosures for Cherry- Red-ruffed Lemur outdoors © A. Pauly Building the signs © Académie Le Pal crowned Mangabeys. The outside a wonderful mother despite her Sentenza was a special animal with The lemur species can smell and exhibit covers an area of 731.10 m² problem. an awfully long and tufted white hear each other, but are never with natural soil, dead and living beard that I did not forget. When I mixed inside the house. This was a trees, rocks and artificial vine which She left an indelible mark in the think about her, I prefer the name recommendation of Jamie Craig from connects the trees. The enclosure memory of all those who had the of the character “Sentenza” in the Cotswold Wildlife Park (specialist for is surrounded by metal fence with a chance to know her. American version of the movie: Instructions for building the nest boxes © Académie Le Pal mixed-lemur-enclosures). All three height of 4 m. The old meshed roof “Angel eyes”! It would have matched species are housed together with was removed. Now, the exhibit is much better to her. the Radiated Tortoises in the outside Death of Sentenza secured by electric wire on the top exhibit. We observed a strong By Delphine Roullet, EAZA Prosimian TAG of the fence. The visitors can have a Building the signs © Académie Le Pal hierarchy of dominance. On top are Vice-Chair look at the new enclosure through a Engaging children in conservation the Ruffed Lemurs, followed by the large glass panel. Behind this window By Agathe Tavernier, Manager of the Just like the previous year, the kids Red-bellied Lemurs and the Red- In the movie “The Good, the Bad and “Académie Le Pal” & Camille Molinetti, were very excited to meet the people is a demarcated area of around 100 collared Brown Lemurs. the Ugly”, Sentenza is the bad guy! Manager of the Foundation “Le Pal involved in the conservation program m² for the husbandry of Radiated But in the White-belted Ruffed Nature” and talk with them about their Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata). Lemur EEP, Sentenza is probably the Building the nest boxes © Académie Le Pal activities. nicest female ruffed lemur that I ever The “Académie Le Pal” is an activity met! offered to children from 8 to 14 Once the nest boxes were built, during the school year. the kids went to meet Helpsimus’ Like a movie star, she has had several Its program is designed to awaken volunteers who were running a lives. She was an exceptionally good children to various environmental booth during the event. This was a mother, but she had to be sterilized topics and help them become great opportunity for the children to after a complicated delivery. After ambassadors for biodiversity to their learn more about the conservation Collared and Red-ruffed Lemurs © A. Pauly that, she became a valuable assistant families and friends. activities led by Helpsimus and how Radiated Tortoises © A. Pauly First, we started to combine the to me in the management of the they could provide some practical Red-bellied with the Red-collared EEP population. She moved several For several years, the Foundation help to such an organization. Meeting Helpsimus’ team © Académie Le Pal This part is filled up with sand Brown Lemurs. The Red-bellied times and became the companion of “Le Pal Nature” has been organizing They donated the nest boxes to and gravel. There are three inside ones were very dominant and the several individuals of which one with an annual event intended to raise Helpsimus who will bring them to These two years have been a enclosure with sizes between 18 – 19 Collared ones were only allowed to serious behavioural problems. funds for all the programs it’s been its study site in Madagascar and fantastic opportunity for the kids to m² and 4 m height. stay at the bottom of one corner in She was so patient and so nice with supporting, among which Helpsimus set them up in the forest where exchange with their group leaders the outside enclosure. The situation her congeners. in Madagascar. Since last year, young the Mouse Lemurs are found. The Agathe and Laura, as well as with changed as we introduced the children enrolled in the “Académie objective is to collect hair samples the visitors and the conservation Red-ruffed Lemurs. From this point, I remember a contact with a very Le Pal” participate in this special day without capturing the animals, to be program representatives. the Red-collared Brown Lemurs scared female. She approached her by creating items and furniture that able to identify the species and learn Children who participate in the were searching protection with gently backwards to reassure her. It can be used on site by conservation more about its biology in order to activities run by the “Académie Le the Ruffed ones and were feeling was just so amazing to observe. programs. better protect it. Pal” are indeed true nature lovers more confident. Currently the lemur and determinate to find ways to groups harmonize very well, but the She had a particularly good In 2019, the children built 5 nest This year, the children got involved in learn more about it and better situation might change, if there is Red-bellied Lemur indoors © A. Pauly retirement at Costwold Wildlife Park boxes for the Mouse Lemurs a new project concerning the school protect it. offspring in the Red-collared Lemurs where she died at the age of 21 and monitored by Helpsimus’ team in vegetable gardens that are used to Each box is inhabited by another in the future. a half. Madagascar. As Le Pal Zoo doesn’t provide vegetables to the school Starting within a zoo might be the lemur species, the first by a family NEWS FROM THE TAG

The vulvoscope: a useful tool for Why following up the oestrus of the New holders needed for Pygmy keepers females is so important? Slow Loris By Delphine Roullet, EAZA Prosimian TAG By Katarzyna Byczyk, EEP coordinator Vice-Chair Firstly, it helps to identify the females with abnormal cycle. It can be crucial A “vulvoscope” is an efficient tool for small captive populations with a We need more holders in the for the lemur high breeding challenge. Secondly, Pygmy Slow Loris EEP (Nycticebus management. this can be effective to control pygmaeus). breeding without using chemical It is made of photos that show the contraception. In this case, isolating changes in shape and appearance of the females when the oestrus is at the vulva during the female oestrus. the maximum stage (for 24 to 72h) is sufficient to prevent mating. Of course, it implies to have a flexible enclosure that gives the opportunity to easily isolate the animals. But this is what we all should look for. Pygmy Slow Loris © Katarzyna Byczyk Finally, the date of delivery can be predicted thanks to oestrus The Pygmy Slow Loris is one of the monitoring. It will allow you to better three EAZA maintained slow lorises Ruffed Lemur vulvoscope © D. Roullet & F.-G. Grandin prepare for birth (if you need to species. It is a priority species for This tool allows the keepers to easily isolate the mother before it happens EAZA along with the Greater Slow conduct oestrus monitoring in a four- for example). It contributes to Loris and the . step process: improve breeding successes and to 1. Attract the female to the mesh better manage the groups and the Currently listed as Endangered on 2. Keep her clinging for a few captive populations. the IUCN Red List, the population of seconds. this species is decreasing primarily 3. Observe the shape of its vulva. “Vulvoscopes” are already available due to hunting for pet trade, food 4. Determine the stage of the for several lemur species: Ruffed and Chinese medicine. Loss of oestrus by comparing with the Lemur, and Greater natural habitats has also contributed pictures of the vulvoscope. Bamboo Lemur (note that drawings to population decrease. are also available for the Aye-Aye). The Pygmy Slow Loris is a nocturnal primate which is usually kept in small family groups (a pair and their youngsters). In zoos, it plays an educational role about the trade of wild animals or using them as photo props by tourists.

© F.-G. Grandin If you would like to keep this animals There is no need for a specific Ruffed Lemur vulvoscope © D. Roullet & F.-G. Grandin in your collection, please contact training and it only takes a few But we could get more, especially Katarzyna Byczyk: seconds a day if it is done in the for the following species: Ring-tailed [email protected] morning before the first meal Lemur, Blue-eyed Lemur, , or moving animals out. The only White-, Red- constraint is that it must be done bellied Lemur, etc. If you want to each day. help make a “vulvoscope” for one of these species please contact me: At what time of the year should [email protected] it be done? During the breeding You can also contact me for any season, from November to February question about oestrus monitoring. (depending on species and on females).

© Florence Perroux RESEARCH ARTICLES AND LINKS

Lemur hormonal contraception Prosimians in the Mix and its effect on social Range and conservation updates for interactions the Critically Endangered Blue-eyed Jeremy Chase Crawford1, Marylène Black Lemur Eulemur flavifrons and Boulet1 and Christine M. Drea1,2 the Vulnerable Black Lemur Eulemur (2010). macaco Smelling wrong: hormonal https://tinyurl.com/yyp27ahq contraception in lemurs alters critical female odour cues. Proc. R. Soc. B (2011) 278, 122–130 Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy is the 1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, new President of the International Box 90383, and 2Department of Biology, Primatological Society (IPS). Duke University, Durham, NC, USA https://tinyurl.com/y3nmj2qp “Beyond affecting signals of fertility, contraception had dramatic effects on signals of identity. Individual scent signatures have been shown, either chemically or behaviourally, to characterize a wide range of social species ( [46]; voles [47]; spotted hyaenas [48]; lemurs [22,24]; humans [49]), suggesting that communication of identity is critical for maintaining social relationships, even between members of individualized societies. In lemurs, contraception altered otherwise stable patterns in female scent signatures (effectively changing their normal chemical identity) and decreased the chemical distance between females (effectively degrading the individual distinctiveness of their odours). As Ring-tailed Lemurs do not encode social status in their genital secretions [22], they may use individual olfactory signatures to identify group members and navigate social hierarchies. By altering an individual’s chemical uniqueness, hormonal contraceptives could have detrimental effects on social interactions, which may help explain the increase in aggression sometimes associated with MPA contraception in other primates [50,51].” https://tinyurl.com/yxhxft9z

Editor: EAZA Prosimian TAG. Texts: Katarzyna Byczyk, Achim Johann, The Kukang RP, Aleksandra Nazim, Anna Nekaris, Andreas Pauly, Florence Perroux, Barbara Regaiolli & Caterina Spiezio, Delphine Roullet, Agathe Tavernier & Camille Molinetti. Cover picture: Little Fireface Project.