Lemurs and tourism in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar: economic boom and other consequences

Published source details Wright P.C., Andriamihaja B., King S.J., Guerriero J., Hubbard J., Russon A.E. & Wallis J. (2014) Lemurs and tourism in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar: economic boom and other consequences. Pages 123-146 in: Primate tourism: A tool for conservation. Cambridge University Press.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site Action Link

Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site

One before-and-after and review study in 1986-2010 in montane rainforest in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar found that after implementing a lemur tourism project alongside other interventions, the population size of Milne-Edwards’ sifaka Propithecus edwardsi and greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus declined severely while the golden bamboo lemur Hapalemur aureus had increased in population size. In 1996-2008 population size and group size of Milne-Edwards’ sifaka declined, with almost 50% decline in population size in 2005-2009 (data as graphs) and a 7% reduction in body size over 21 years (5.7kg in 1987; 5.3kg in 2008). High tourist numbers in one site resulted in changed activity patterns for Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, with less time spent foraging and grooming (data as graphs). Population size and group size of greater bamboo lemur also declined following the implementation of a tourism project while golden bamboo numbers increased (data not included). In 1993-2011 the number of tourists in Ranomafana increased from around 4000/year to almost 24000/year (data as graphs). Lemur behaviour and population counts were collected in several studies.

(Summarised by: SP)