Madagascar is the only naturally occurring habitat for lemurs on the planet.
World Lemur Day 2023: As per tradition, World Lemur Day is observed on the final Friday of October, which falls on October 27 this year. The purpose of this holiday is to commemorate the unique characteristics of this endangered species and to bring attention to the need to preserve it. Jonah Ratsimmbazafy established the holiday in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 2014, which was also its first year of observance. Following that, animal rights organizations and sanctuaries worldwide have observed this specific occasion. World Lemur Day and the World Lemur Festival are observed simultaneously.
Lemurs are classified as members of the Streptsirrhini suborder of primates. The estimated duration of their evolution on the island of Madagascar is forty million years. It is hypothesized that their evolution occurred during the Eocene, if not earlier. According to DNA evidence, their arrival on Madagascar occurred between 40 and 52 million years ago. However, due to human migrations onto the island approximately 2,000 years ago, lemur habitat was reduced to approximately 10% of the land.
In approximately 1758, Carl Linnaeus, the progenitor of contemporary binomial nomenclature, bestowed the name “lemurs.” The origin of their appellation is the Latin word lemures, which translates to “specters” or “ghosts.” It is a belief in Malagasy culture that lemurs possess spirits that are vengeful when wronged. This notion has engendered a “fady” or sense of taboo regarding the mammals. In Western popular culture, lemurs have been portrayed as characters in animated films for children, including “Dinosaurs” and “Madagascar.”
Multiple lemur species are currently classified as critically endangered. The exotic pet trade, hunting, and a multitude of environmental issues all pose threats to them. The primary cause of their diminishing survival resources is the degradation and devastation of their habitats. Jonah Ratsimmbazafy established the holiday in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 2014, which was also its first year of observance. Following that, animal rights organizations and sanctuaries worldwide have observed this specific occasion. World Lemur Day is observed concurrently with the World Lemur Festival, an event held in Madagascar with the objective of generating consciousness regarding the dire situation of lemur species.
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| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 28 | Friday |
| 2023 | October 27 | Friday |
| 2024 | October 25 | Friday |
| 2025 | October 31 | Friday |
| 2026 | October 30 | Friday |
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