authorization, which would be given only for scientific purposes or the national interest. In 1973, they were also protected under CITES Appendix I, which strictly regulates their trade and forbids commercial trade. Although enforcement is patchy, they are also protected under Malagasy law. Giant mouse lemurs are rarely kept in captivity, though they breed easily. In 1989, the Duke Lemur Center held more than 70% of the captive population (45 of 62 individuals). At the time, the DLC was coordinating a captive breeding program for Coquerel's giant mouse lemur, and all individuals kept at American facilities were descended from six individuals imported by the DLC in 1982 from the region around Ambanja. As of 2009 the International Species Information System (ISIS) recorded only six remaining individuals registered in the United States and Europe, all reclassified as northern giant mouse lemurs and considered a non-breeding population; in 2015 only a single female remained on record. References Citations Literature cited External links Original description of Mirza by J.E. Gray, 1870 – Biodiversity Heritage Library Original description of C. coquereli by A. Grandidier, 1867 – Biodiversity Heritage Library Description of M. coquereli by Schlegel and Pollen, 1868 – Biodiversity Heritage Library Lemurs