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Crowned lemur
The crowned lemur is a striking primate native to northern Madagascar, where it lives in the island’s dry forests, woodlands, and scrub habitats. Its name comes from the distinctive black crown on the heads of males and the softer grey‑brown and orange tones seen in females. This species is specially adapted to life in the Afrotropics, navigating dense vegetation with agility and relying heavily on its excellent sense of smell.
You can find our pair of crowned lemurs in the Madagascan Walkthrough, next to our golden lion tamarins. We are home to female Beloha and her son, Boingy, who was born in 2020.
Class:
Mammals
Order:
Primates
Family:
Lemuridae
About the crowned lemur
Crowned lemurs are primarily frugivores, feeding on a wide variety of fruits, but they will also eat leaves, flowers, and other plant material when seasonal fruits become scarce. They play an important ecological role as seed dispersers, helping to support forest regeneration across their limited range in northern Madagascar.
These lemurs live in social groups of around 5 to 15 individuals, often made up of related females, their offspring, and males that may move between groups. They communicate through a combination of vocal calls, scent marking, and facial expressions, which help maintain group cohesion and define territories in the forest.
Conservation
The crowned lemur is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and their already restricted range in northern Madagascar. Much of their natural habitat has been fragmented by slash‑and‑burn agriculture, logging, and charcoal production. Although some populations occur within protected areas, ongoing habitat degradation continues to threaten the species.
Crowned lemurs are managed in conservation breeding programmes, including the European Ex situ Programme (EEP), which supports genetically healthy captive populations and raises awareness of Madagascar’s threatened biodiversity.