Indri


Description
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-  Largest of all living Lemurs 
-  64 to 74cm long, 13 to 21 lbs
-  Primarially herbivores
-  Monogamous, lives in small family groups 
-  Around 5000 to 10,000 left in existance, critically endangered


Habitat and Range
Indri indri range map.svg

-  Diurnal (non-noctournal) tree dwellers
-  Native to Madigascar



Role in  Ecosystem
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Indri are primarially herbivors that feed on mostly leaves, seeds, fruits, and flowers. They consume very little non tree vegetation. Their predators include fossa, hawks, and snakes. Without the Indri, the ecosystem would be unbalanced.  


Cause of Decline
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Although the Indri has predators, their greatest threat is habitat destruction due to slash and burn agriculture, fuelwood gathering and logging that occurs even in protected areas. Until industry took interest in Madagascar's resources, Indri had a peaceful relationship with native people. Today however, there are many reports of non-locals hunting Indri. The Indri population is expected to decrease 80% in the next three generations.


Why We Should Care
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Indri have been revered by the native people of Madagascar for ages. There are many traditional folk stories of Indri helping humans. Also, Madagascar is a bidiversity hot spot. 80% of flora and fauna are found nowhere else. Indri are herbivors that feed on the flora and fauna. If the Indri were to go extinct, regulation of this vegetation would decrease, throwing the balance of the ecosystem off. Imparing the ecosystem's balance of an incredibly diverse aera can put a large amount of species at risk for endangerment. Also, loss of the Indri can cause starvation for it's predators and more ecosystem inbalances. 


Current Conservation Efforts, Highlighting Role of Geography
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Indri do not do well in captivity, so breeding programs trying to save Indri are likely to be unsuccessful. Indri are now listed as Endangered Species and have been assigned protected aeras throughout Madagascar. Their proteced aeras have been determined by using GPS and GSI to map distribution and choose which protected aera would be most benificial to the population of the Indri.

5 Ways to Help
 The Indri are very  close to becoming extinct. If deforestation doesn't stop soon the Indri and many other species will go extinct. We need to do something before it't too late. Here are 5 ways to help...

1. Donate to the Rainforest Trust who are working to protect 75,000 acres of Madagascar and all of it's species included.

2. Buy only sustainable paper products, and be sure they weren't sourced unethically.

3. Donate to One Green Planet.  They are working with partners on a six year project that protects the most endangered species in Mandagascar (including the Indri)

4. Tell your friends! Spread awareness of the loss of biodiversity in Madagascar and the cute little friends we would lose like the Indri if we dont stop deforestation. 

5. Symbolically adopt an Indri at the Lemur Conservation Foundation. Your money will go toward Indri conservation efforts.

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SAVE THE INDRI!!!!

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