INDRI

Indri indri (aka Babakoto)

One of the largest of lemurs, endemic to the island of Madagascar. The native Malagasy people have many myths and stories about lemurs, and are connected to the origin of men. According to one legend, two brothers once lived together in the forest until one of them decided to leave and cultivate the land. That brother became the first human, while the other sibling who stayed in the forest became the first lemur.
Today the main threats faced by the indri (and Madagascar in general) are habitat destruction and fragmentation due to slash and burn agriculture, fuelwood gathering, and illigal logging. Lemurs and indris are also hunted despite the widespread local taboos. As the result of human activity, the conservation status of indris now stand at critically endangered.
The loud, distinctive indri cries that can be heard in the forests of north-eastern Madagascar are said to be in the mourning for his brother who went astray.
I hear it as a cry for help.