(hapalemur aureus)
The Golden Bamboo Lemur was first discovered as recently as 1985 in Ranomafana NP and indeed was the main reason for this park being designated. It occurs in primary mid and high altitude rain-forest with abundant bamboo. The total world population of this species is perhaps 2000 animals. It is an attractive medium sized rotund lemur with dense and soft fur.
As its name indicates, this lemur feeds almost exclusively on giant bamboo. The growing shoots of this bamboo contain 0.015% of cyanide. Each adult lemur eats about 500g of bamboo per day, which contain about 12 times the lethal dose of cyanide for most other animals of this size but somehow it has evolved a digestive system to cope.
For non-birding parties, this and the Greater Bamboo Lemur are the most important targets for the national park guides at Ranomafana. Most days, with the number of groups on the trails, someone will quickly discover the whereabouts of a troup.