User:TheWritter2022/Conservation

The very restricted range and fragmented populations of the crowned sifaka are major concerns for the continuation of this species. Habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, slash and burn agriculture, capture for illegal pet trade, and illegal hunting constitute major threats. These disruptions, coupled with the slow pace at which the species reproduce, slows even more the regeneration of the species and its habitats. (cite lemur news) The species is currently listed by the IUCN Red List as critically endangered according to the A2acd criteria, and is listed as CITES Appendix I. Additionaly, Crowned Sifaka population is exepcted to decline by another 32% in the nearby future due to habitat fragmentation and the resulting time-lagged effect. Some of the larger populations are found in protected areas, however much of its range remain relatively unexplored as they are labeled as politically “dangerous” zones. Looking more in depth into these area is of critical need for the long term survival of this species. The 2009 Malagasy political crisis led to lawlessness across Madagascar and ultimately led to increased poaching of the sifaka for food as a delicacy in restaurants. However, in order to establish effective conservation measures, it would imply greater participation of locals as well as gaining more knowledge about the species by surveying more sites of its southern part of the range. (+citation Lemur news)As of 2014 there is only one successful captive breeding population of crowned sifaka coordinated by the Paris Zoological Park in Paris, France.