Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

​Date Published: May 2011

Assessment Summary

Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are found only in the southern and south-western region of Madagascar. This species is not noted for establishing feral (non-naturally occurring) populations outside its native range, although a free-ranging food-provisioned population exists as part of a conservation project in Georgia, USA.

Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as 'Near Threatened' under the IUCN Red List and are listed under Appendices I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The species is classed as a 'serious' threat under the Vertebrate Pest Committee's list of exotic animals. Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as 'specimens taken to be suitable for live import' and require a permit to import issued under this Act. Eligible imports are for non-commercial purposes only (i.e. zoos) and exclude household pets.

In Tasmania, Ring-tailed lemurs are 'controlled animals' under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002.

The likelihood of this species establishing in Tasmania is low. Modelling indicates that Tasmania has a very dissimilar climate to the species' distribution in Madagascar.

This risk assessment concludes that Ring-tailed lemurs are a moderate threat to Tasmania and recommends that imports are restricted to those license holders approved for keeping moderate threat species.

Assessment Documentation

  Ring tailed lemur risk assessment   (380Kb)

Contact

Wildlife Services

GPO Box 44,
HOBART, TAS, 7001.