Part 7/10:
Regrettably, Madagascar’s unique ecosystems face relentless threats from human expansion. As local populations grow—surging from five million in 1960 to over 25 million today—rural communities require more farmland to meet their food demands. This escalating desire for land has led to widespread deforestation, with once-vibrant rainforests being cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching.
The consequences are dire: the rainforest that once covered 90% of Madagascar’s eastern region has now dwindled to a mere 10%, leaving several species teetering on the brink of extinction. Indris and other species now contend with shrinking territories and the stress of competing for dwindling resources, resulting in increased interspecies conflicts and diminished survival rates.