Crowned Sifaka
Propithecus verreauxi coronatus Milne-Edwards, 1871
CR B1+2bc, C2a

The taxonomic status of this dark, multi-colored sifaka is still the subject of debate, based upon its unclear geographic relationship to that of two other taxa in western Madagascar. To the best of our knowledge, the crowned sifaka’s distribution is limited to that region between the Mahavavy River to the southwest, where it meets (and perhaps hybridizes with) the all-white Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi deckeni), and the Betsiboka River to the northeast, which separates it from the light-colored Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi coquereli). However, this is an over-simplification, and it is clear that the distribution and status of wild populations requires further investigation. The principal threat to the crowned sifaka is destruction of its dry forest habitat, principally to provide grazing land for livestock and wood for charcoal. At the present time, this critically endangered sifaka is not known to exist in any officially protected areas, although its presence in the Kasijy Special Reserve is suspected by some. Estimates of its wild population do not exceed 1,000 individuals, and only a handful are reported to be held in captivity at this time.