Observation of the natural re-colonisation of a littoral forest fragment by the Endangered red-collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris) in southeast Madagascar.

The biologically rich littoral forests of Sainte Luce support an isolated sub-population of Endangered red-collared brown lemur (Eulemur collaris). The area encompasses 17 disconnected forest fragments, separated by a matrix of ericaceous heath, grasslands, swamps and watercourses. Since the earliest faunal studies in the late 1980s, this species has only been recorded within four forest patches. We detail this lemur's recent re-colonisation of a protected fragment and consider its broader implications for future conservation initiatives. This observation highlights the value of small, seemingly unimportant patches of forest and the importance of maintaining functional habitat connectivity. Our observations also provide insight into the conditions that likely led to the current distribution of this species in Sainte Luce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]