Madagascar enhances protection of endangered lemurs

Madagascar and international organizations have taken dedicated measures to enhance protection for the island nation's unique local wildlife in recent years, with a particular focus on its iconic lemurs.

Located in northwestern Madagascar, the Lokobe Nature Special Reserve is home to black lemurs, weasel lemurs and mouse lemurs.

The primates are regarded as the most threatened groups of mammals and are listed on the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

That organization has predicted that over 98 percent of lemurs face extinction in the next 20 years due to deforestation and overhunting.

In recent years, some international organizations have actively worked with local authorities and introduced protection projects to make progress in protecting lemurs.

"This is a place where we protect lemurs because this is a natural reserve. So here we can explore different types of lemurs. There is a specific person who has to go to the forest, and they have to make sure that no one can hunt them," said a guide from the reserve.

To accommodate the growing number of visitors coming to Madagascar to see the country's iconic lemurs, the government has established a dedicated lemur park where tourists can observe and interact with the animals up close.

Lemurs are ambassadors of Madagascar's unique biodiversity, and effectively protecting these iconic animals can only be achieved through a multifaceted approach - safeguarding their natural habitats, curbing illegal hunting and trade, and advancing sustainable development across the island nation.

Madagascar enhances protection of endangered lemurs

Madagascar enhances protection of endangered lemurs

The devastating quakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday have inflicted deep psychological trauma on the country's people, leaving many too fearful of aftershocks to return home.

The death toll from the earthquakes has risen to 1,719, with more than 5,000 people injured, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Monday.

Numerous others have been forced to leave their homes due to damage or fear. In Caracas, displaced people said they would rather live in temporary tents on the streets than go back home.

"It was truly terrifying at the time, so much so that whenever an aftershock occurs and I feel the tremor, the scenes of the earthquake replay vividly in my mind," said Jerez, a local resident.

"The earthquake has left huge psychic trauma to many people, because it was so intense. At that time, buildings were shaking strongly. Total chaos everywhere. Everybody was running, including children. Some people even fell down on stairs," said Olares, another local resident.

In order to provide medical and psychological aid, temporary service points were set up by local medical schools. Students engaged children with interactive activities, while local physicians offered psychological support to the community.

"The majority of people now suffer from PTSD. This is because they just went through the earthquake, and their body has remained in high alert. The impacts of that won't quickly go away," said Costa, a doctor offering his services.

However, fears of aftershocks are not unfounded. On Monday, a strong aftershock forced the subway system in Caracas to halt and complicated ongoing search and rescue operations.

Venezuelans suffer from psychic trauma after deadly earthquakes