​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)