flage. Madagascar is the home for approximately 50% of all chameleon species. That is about 59 rare species that are living on the island. As with the lemur though, the chameleons are in great danger of becoming extinct on the island. However, lemurs and chameleons are not the only type of unique animals who call Madagascar home. According to Dr. Laurie Godfrey “Almost all of Madagascar's reptile and amphibian species, half of its birds, and all of its lemurs are endemic to the island; meaning they can be found nowhere else on earth” (The PBS website). So not only will two unique species become extinct but many along with the lemurs and chameleons will follow. The habitats of these organisms are being destroyed at a rate they cannot adapt. If the burning of forests continues it will not be long until all the lemurs, all the chameleons, and all of the other unique organisms of the island are no more. Unfortunately another problem lies in trying to stop the force that is actually killing them off. Another ongoing problem exists on the island and lies in the hands of the people who live there. This problem is a little more complex than the others because it does not involve the forests or the animals that live on the island. Instead it involves the economic standings of the government and people of the island. Unfortunately, like most other African countries Madagascar is very poor. They are a very simple people with a very simple way of life. Their main goal is to survive. For them to survive they must continue with the only means they know, and this is tavy. The people of the island for the most part are still very uneducated and need to learn of other means of sustenance. According to Dr. Claire Kremen, “About 80 percent of the population are subsistence farmers, many of whom depend entirely on ‘natural capital’ to support their way of life” (The PBS website). Basically the people o...
