Propithecus deckenii
CR

Propithecus deckenii

Local name: Van der Decken’s Sifaka

Declining

Photo: (c) Max Omick, all rights reserved, uploaded by Max Omick

Overview

Von der Decken's sifaka is a sifaka lemur that is endemic to the arid, deciduous and spiny succulent forests of Western Madagascar. It has a length of 92 to 107 centimetres, of which 42–48 centimetres (17–19 in) are tail. The species is named in honor of the German explorer Karl Klaus von der Decken.

Decken's sifaka faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive slash-and-burn agriculture that destroys its dry deciduous forest habitat across western Madagascar. Hunting pressure for bushmeat consumption and traditional medicine compounds habitat loss, while charcoal production and livestock grazing further fragment remaining forest patches. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering rainfall patterns in already arid regions, reducing food availability during critical dry seasons.

Threat summary

Habitat

Decken's sifaka inhabits dry deciduous forests and gallery forests in western Madagascar, particularly favoring areas with dense canopy cover and diverse tree species that provide year-round food sources. The species requires large territories with continuous forest connectivity, as it rarely descends to the ground and depends on arboreal pathways for movement between feeding and sleeping sites.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Van der Decken’s Sifaka classified as Critically Endangered?
Van der Decken’s Sifaka is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Decken's sifaka faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive slash-and-burn agriculture that destroys its dry deciduous forest habitat across western Madagascar. Hunting pressure for bushmeat consumption and traditional medicine compounds habitat loss, while charcoal production and livestock grazing further fragment remaining forest patches. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering rainfall patterns in already arid regions, reducing food availability during critical dry seasons.
Where does Van der Decken’s Sifaka live?
Van der Decken’s Sifaka occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Van der Decken’s Sifaka?
The main threats to Van der Decken’s Sifaka are 2.3, 5.1, 5.1.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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