I obviously don't know the motive behind this cruel crime, but I would bet the perpetrator does not know how to care for Lemurs. I can only hope they care enough to keep him healthy and safe.
Was he taken to be a Pet? To be sold into the Exotic Wildlife Trade? Whatever the reason, caring for and feeding any Animal is an individual and delicate plan. In Maki's case whoever has him, must know by now, he is of advanced age, which is even more concern that he is properly cared for.
Zoo's work close with Duke Lemur Center. This page from their website refers to reasons why Lemurs do not make good Pets. Below link I've copied some relevant text excerpts.
https://lemur.duke.edu/about/not-a-pet/
Lemurs are expensive
According to the American Kennel Club, keeping the average dog healthy and fulfilled will set you back $15,000 over a typical thirteen-year lifespan. By contrast, if cared for properly, prosimians in human care can live 25 years or more. Here at the Duke Lemur Center, the health and general welfare of one lemur can cost upwards of $200,000 over its lifespan—and we get to buy food in bulk.
Lemur vet care is hard to find
Think of how often dogs or cats get sick and are taken to the vet; lemurs are no different. Yet very few veterinary hospitals will treat primates because of the possibility of disease transmission to humans and risk of injury to staff. “Lemurs’ teeth are made for slashing,” says Cathy. “Lemurs are also strong, so they can be difficult to control.”
Recently a pet lemur owner requested help diagnosing toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection) via the DLC Facebook page, because “all the vets I work with don’t do exotics.” Even among exotic animal veterinarians, many refuse to see primates; those who do often know very little about lemurs’ diseases or how to treat them.
Caring for lemurs is hard work every day
... Even providing a lemur with a proper daily diet is complicated. Owners occasionally contact us, already having purchased a pet lemur, with no idea what to feed it. In one case, the owners of a ring-tailed lemur named Milo were feeding him pizza and ice cream. In a reality television show filmed in eastern North Carolina, a lemur is shown eating a slice of bacon.
That pet lemurs tend to have serious nutritional problems from being fed inappropriate diets exacerbates the problem of limited access to qualified veterinary care. Unfortunately this can lead to privately-held pet lemurs developing a host of illnesses, including obesity and diabetes, and dying prematurely.
Please return Maki back to
his Caregivers and Family.
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