Sites à lémuriens sacrés en pays sakalava, au Nord-Ouest de Madagascar : réactualisation des données et implications dans les programmes de développement et de conservation

International audienceThe two sites of the northwest of Madagascar, where Ramanantsoa (1976) observed “sacred lemurs”, have been revisited in order to assessing the present status of Eulemur macaco and the possible impact of human beliefs and practices on conservation. All the sacred relationships towards lemurs described in 1976 are still in practice, and very similar descriptions about the benefic (or malefic in case of non-respect) effect of the “sacred lemurs” have been quoted by our informants. A direct impact on lemur conservation, and utilisation of study sites for scientists, as suggested by G.-A. Ramanantsoa, do not appear as realistic options, considering the remote location of both sites. In contrast, a further study of religious practices concerning lemurs should be an important contribution for shaping sustainable development programmes involving local populations