Mammals
Golden-Crowned Sifaka
Propithecus tattersalli · also called Tattersall's sifaka
Leaping powerfully between trees in one of the smallest lemur ranges on Earth, a golden-crowned sifaka displays the vivid orange head marking that gives the species its name, a Critically Endangered primate not even formally described by science until 1988.
Overview
The golden-crowned sifaka, Propithecus tattersalli, is a Critically Endangered leaping lemur native exclusively to forest habitat within a small, restricted part of northeastern Madagascar. Its striking golden head marking, recent scientific description, and severely limited range threatened by gold mining and agriculture make it one of the most conservation-urgent and geographically restricted lemurs found anywhere on the island.
A species barely known before it was already at risk
Formally recognised only in 1988, the golden-crowned sifaka had little time to become well understood before its already tiny natural range came under serious pressure from mining and agricultural expansion, compressing its window for recovery.
Status
Critically Endangered, confined to a small area of forest in northeastern Madagascar and threatened by gold mining and slash-and-burn agriculture.
Golden-Crowned Sifaka: common questions
Why was the golden-crowned sifaka only recently discovered?
This species was not formally described by science until 1988, making it one of the more recently recognised lemur species, despite its distinctive golden-orange head marking, likely due to its restricted range within a remote part of northeastern Madagascar.
How small is the golden-crowned sifaka's range?
This species has one of the smallest natural ranges of any lemur species, restricted entirely to a limited area of forest within northeastern Madagascar, making its entire global population dependent on the condition of this single small region.
Why is the golden-crowned sifaka Critically Endangered?
This species faces significant threats from gold mining activity and slash-and-burn agriculture within its small remaining range, pressures that have combined to drive a severe population decline and leave the species classified as Critically Endangered.
How does the golden-crowned sifaka move through the forest?
This species is a powerful leaper, using strong hind legs to move rapidly between trees through vertical clinging and leaping, a locomotion style shared with other sifaka species and well suited to its forest habitat.