No peace for lemurs

It was inspiring to read Kevin Graman’s article about returned Peace Corps volunteers (“Couple embrace second round of adventure,” Jan. 29), the Auerbachs, signing up for another tour. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I know that each volunteer may be the only representative of the United States that some people in developing countries ever see. Dedicated volunteers leave an excellent impression.

However, I was appalled by Mr. Graman’s question, “aren’t the lemurs a problem?” and the response, “Not at all, they just throw them in a pot and cook them.”

The problem is NOT the lemurs, a dangerously endangered species. The problem is that individuals and the government of Madagascar have cut down almost every tree that used to cover the island. There have been international protests to stop the cutting of the small amount of remaining forest where lemurs live because the loss of habitat will cause extinction. Every person who benefits from tree cutting has a reason to kill as many lemurs as possible.

Mr. Graman and the Auerbachs further endanger the lemurs and the island’s entire ecosystem by giving the impression they accept and condone propaganda written by those who want to continue decimating Madagascar’s forests.

Lynn Noel

Nine Mile Falls