Viral Lemur Video Sparks Laughter, But Raises Concerns About Illegal Pet Trade

Animals have an incredible way of entertaining us with their quirky behaviours, and the internet is a treasure trove of funny animal videos. Recently, a video surfaced on microblogging platform X that has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide. In the clip, two little boys engage in a comical interaction with a lemur, showcasing an unexpected demand for a back scratch. The video’s popularity has soared, drawing comparisons to the iconic character King Julien from the movie Madagascar.

In the viral video, two boys are seen scratching the back of a lemur, and the humorous twist comes when the lemur actively gestures for them to continue. When the boys stop, the lemur unmistakably points towards its back, indicating a clear desire for more scratching. The comical interaction has resonated with viewers, accumulating over 217,000 views on the social media platform.

Users quickly took to the comments section to express their delight at the amusing video. One user remarked on the lemur’s clear instructions, stating, “How cute! It’s giving directions, ‘This spot, right here’.”

Another declared it their favourite animal video, while a different user praised the lemur’s intelligence, saying, “He makes himself very clear! He is smart.”

Despite the video’s popularity, a conservation group has voiced concerns about the lemur’s behaviour. Charlie Welch, the conservation coordinator at Duke Lemur Center, told the Huffington Post that the lemur’s actions indicated abnormal behaviour for a wild lemur. While it’s possible that the lemur was previously kept as a pet and is now roaming free, Welch asserted that a genuinely wild lemur would never respond to petting in such a manner.

The viral video sheds light on a broader issue – the illegal and harmful practice of keeping lemurs as pets. Welch highlighted that in Madagascar, pet lemurs are often snatched from the wild as young animals, causing trauma and frequently resulting in the death of their mothers. Despite being illegal, the enforcement of laws against keeping lemurs as pets is lax in Madagascar.

Lemurs, as social animals, require the company of their kind, and captivity denies them this essential need. Even in countries where lemurs sold as pets are bred in captivity, these animals struggle to adapt to domestic life. As per National Geographic, they may become aggressive or bite humans, leading to abandonment, captivity or even euthanasia.

A 2015 study revealed that at least 28,000 lemurs were taken from the wild in Madagascar over three years. The impact of the pet trade on wild lemur populations remains a significant concern, as these unique creatures face the threat of habitat loss and exploitation.