Last chance to see: aye-aye
A look at the world's rarest species featured on Stephen Fry's BBC documentary, Last Chance to See.
Looking like a cross between a cat, bat and rat, the bizarre aye-aye is the world's largest nocturnal primate. Found in the forest canopies on Madagascar, the aye-aye is the only primate thought to use echo-location, which they use to find grubs hidden within trees.
Sadly, this distinctive lemur is at risk. Rainforest destruction, reputation as a pest and the belief in Malagsy folklore that the aye-aye is a symbol of death means they are often killed on sight.
At present, around 45 aye-ayes are under protection in captivity. A European Endangered Species programme established in 2005 aims to manage the captive population effectively.
Comments
Cute and terrifying in equal measure. Looks like something from Gremlins!
this aye aye is so cute - it looks like something out of a cartoon. Sad to see it dying out
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