12 Threats to biodiversity have already taken a toll: as of 2013, 11 species inMadagascar were declared extinct, 290 species were endangered and another 166 specieswere critically endangered. 13 Species close to extinction include the angonoka orploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) and the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata),which are hunted for pet trade and food as well as for their beautiful shells. There may onlybe 200 mature angonoka tortoises left in the wild.14 Lemurs have been called the mostendangered mammals in the world; 48 of the species are endangered and another 22 arecritically endangered.15 Some are down to very low numbers. For example, there may befewer than 250 remaining silky sifakas (Propithecus candidus).16
12 Threats to biodiversity have already taken a toll: as of 2013, 11 species in Madagascar were declared extinct, 290 species were endangered and another 166 species were critically endangered. 13 Species close to extinction include the angonoka or ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) and the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), which are hunted for pet trade and food as well as for their beautiful shells. There may only be 200 mature angonoka tortoises left in the wild.14 Lemurs have been called the most endangered mammals in the world; 48 of the species are endangered and another 22 are critically endangered.15 Some are down to very low numbers. For example, there may be fewer than 250 remaining silky sifakas (Propithecus candidus).16