Charcoal and lemur protection

In the summer, charcoal is used relatively often. However, its production causes devastation of forests and its animal inhabitants. This is the case, for example, in Madagascar …

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world with unique fauna and flora. It is the place with the greatest number of endemic species that are not found anywhere else on Earth! Of the 117 known mammals living in Madagascar, 90% are endemic. One of them are lemurs. After the arrival of the first people in Madagascar, many types of lemur became extinct. Nowadays, almost all of them are endangered species. The main cause of the threat to lemurs and other native animals and plants in Madagascar is the destruction of their natural habitat. People turn the landscape into farmland where they cultivate a variety of crops, use extensive areas as cattle pastures … Among the problems is also poaching and the introduction of non-native species.

One of the causes of the destruction of native forests in Madagascar is the production of charcoal used by the inhabitants of Madagascar as a source of heat and also for cooking. This leads to extensive devastation of forests which are home to a variety of unique animal and plant species, including rare lemurs. Awareness of this issue is now raised among the visitors to Zoo Ostrava by means of bags with charcoal, which are placed (of course) in the Lemur Paradise pavillion (see video).

Zoo Ostrava has long been involved in international conservation projects that take place both in zoos (ex situ) and in the areas where lemurs live (in situ). It supports, for example, activities in Madagascar to protect lemurs aimed at protecting the area in which lemurs live, construction of schools, education and work with local communities, more environmentally friendly farming, installation of wells and afforestation.

In 2016, all visitors of Zoo Ostrava also participate in the rescue of Madagascar lemurs due to the programme 1 CZK for wildlife. This means that one CZK from each ticket goes to a special account, which is used exclusively to support projects dedicated to the rescue of endangered animal species and wildlife. The rescue of the fragile nature of Madagascar is the focus of the Sahamalaza project. And if you would like to get involved more personally, TODAY you may visit the third year of a charity run in the Zoo, whose proceeds will this time be used to support rare lemurs. For more information about the run at Zoo Ostrava, see HERE.