Greater Bamboo Lemurs (Prolemur simus) are amongst the world's 25 most endangered primates. They are in a separate genus from other Bamboo Lemurs and occupy the smallest remaining range - just 4% of their original estimated territory. 

They weigh up to 2.5kg (5.5lbs) and measure up to 0.5m body length,  with tails longer than that. With about 500 left in the wild, their downfall has been their reliance on a bamboo species called Cathariostachys madagascariensis. This bamboo is useful to humans, so the area of wild stands has reduced enormously,  leaving 11 enclaves for a surviving population of just 500. One of these is the Ranomafana Rainforest National Park. Situated in an isolated part of southeastern Madagascar, this is best visited on one of our privately guided Madagascar Highlands & Rainforest to Coast journeys.

Critically Endangered they may be, when you do find a group in Ranomafana,  they can seem quite plentiful,  travelling in gregarious vocal groups of up to 28. Of the bamboo they eat, their preference is the pith, leaves and shoots. The latter contains toxic cyanide - enough in one lemur's daily diet to kill a human, but somehow they manage to metabolise it. They also eat flowers, fruit and fungi.