Chuck Ripper: Crowned Lemur

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1994
Image Size: 12.5 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouache on Cold Press Illustration Board

Since 1950, the Democratic Republic of Madagascar's rain forests have been reduced by 50 percent as the trees were slashed, felled and burned to provide farmland, pastures and firewood for the island's growing human population. However, negative side effects have also resulted from such deforestation -- one being a serious loss of habitat for the animals that dwell there. The Crowned Lemur is one of 22 surviving species of lemur that have been threatened by encroaching civilization. Until humans landed on Madagascar about 2,000 years ago, animals living there had virtually no enemies. For more than 40 million years lemurs had lived in isolation thriving in the island's lush rain forests. With the arrival of man also came the introduction of cattle and goats to the region. Sadly, many lemurs were ill-equipped to deal with such drastic changes. Consequently, 14 species of these animals became extinct, including some lemurs that were as big as orangutans. Although these creatures are protected by the African Convention of 1969 and by local law, poaching is widespread in some areas of the republic. To better protect Madagascar's wild animal population, the United Nations has suggested that the island draft a more efficient plan for the management of the four wildlife preserves that exist there. By increasing security and banning domestic animals from those areas, Madagascar's lemurs stand a much better chance of maintaining their numbers.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the U.N. 80FS Crowned Lemur stamp issued March 24, 1995.

Artwork Copyright © 1994 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB14959

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