Animals in Madagascar Facing Extinction

23 Million Years to Recover

Scientists have warned of the loss of the unique biodiversity in Madagascar.

According to a study, restoring biodiversity in the African island nation would take millions of years.

Should the endangered species in Madagascar go extinct, it would take 23 million years for a diversity of mammals to re-evolve comparable to that which existed before humans settled Madagascar, according to a study published in the journal “Nature Communications”.

Madagascar broke away from the mainland around 80 million years ago. This gave rise to an extraordinary diversity of plants and animals on the island in the Indian Ocean. The settlement of the island by humans approximately 2’500 years ago led to the extinction of around 30 mammal species, among them giant lemurs and elephant birds.

128 Endangered Mammals

If the extinction of species were stopped now, it would take three million years for the fauna to recover, according to the study. However, should the 128 mammals currently classified as endangered also go extinct, this timeframe would extend to 23 million years.

Among the endangered species in Madagascar are lemurs. More than one hundred subspecies of the primates are classified as endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

“If the endemic fauna and flora of Madagascar go extinct, there will be a collapse of the island's ecosystems,” said Luis Lima Valente, one of the co-authors of the study. “This will have dramatic consequences for the livelihoods of people in the region.” However, if action is taken now to protect species, there is a chance to “save millions of years of evolution.”

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose empathy on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.