Lemurs, the primates endemic to Madagascar, are the most endangered group of vertebrates on earth. We aim to prevent lemur extinctions through our programs with wild lemurs, people living next to wild lemurs, and by investing in the next generation of Malagasy conservationists. Our lemur science programs include long-term research and monitoring of wild ring-tailed lemurs, and analyses of the capture and trade of all wild lemurs in Madagascar.
Long-term research at Tsimanampesotse National Park
Lemur Love’s founder and director, Dr. Marni LaFleur, has been studying groups of ring-tailed lemurs in the northern portion of Tsimanampesotse National Park since 2008. Her long-term research has examined ring-tailed lemur behavioral ecology, including feeding, nutrition and metabolism. Dr. LaFleur’s work has demonstrated that these ring-tailed lemurs are cathemeral (i.e. active both during the day and night), and that they use Euphorbia plant species during times of drought. This long-term research will help us understand the effects of climate change on lemurs. Ring-tailed lemurs at Tsimanampesotse are already living on the edge, so to speak, in that they cope with Madagascar’s most extreme conditions (low primary productivity, low annual rainfall, high ambient temperatures, frequent natural disasters). These lemurs will likely feel the impacts of climate change sooner than species or populations living in less harsh environments.
Long-term research is important as it is one of the best ways to protect animals and their habitats (see Campbell et al., 2007). By simply returning year after year, local people come to expect researcher presence. This, along with the personal relationships that develop over time, help incentivize protecting forested areas and the animals within.
Campbell G, Kuehl H, Diarrassouba A, N'Goran PK, Boesch C. Long-term research sites as refugia for threatened and over-harvested species. Biology letters. 2011 Oct 23;7(5):723-6. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/7/5/723
Long-term research is important as it is one of the best ways to protect animals and their habitats (see Campbell et al., 2007). By simply returning year after year, local people come to expect researcher presence. This, along with the personal relationships that develop over time, help incentivize protecting forested areas and the animals within.
Campbell G, Kuehl H, Diarrassouba A, N'Goran PK, Boesch C. Long-term research sites as refugia for threatened and over-harvested species. Biology letters. 2011 Oct 23;7(5):723-6. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/7/5/723
Rangers
Lemur Love supports the work of the Andranovoa Ranger team in Tsimanampesotse National Park. The rangers live at the park year-round, and are our eyes and ears of the forest. They are essential for detecting illegal extraction within the park and contribute to our long-term monitoring of conditions and lemurs at the park. The team is leading reforestation efforts within the park and also conducts outreach programs which teach local children about nature.
In addition, in 2021 we were able to support rangers at an additional three locations: Kirindy Mitea National Park (‘Ankoatsifaka’, western region), Tsimembo-Manambolomaty Protected Area (TM PA, western region), and Sahamalaza Iles Radama National Park (‘Sahamalaza’, northwestern region). This collaboration will oversee protection of 17 lemur species (IUCN Red List statuses: 6 Critically Endangered, 5 Endangered, 5 Vulnerable, 2 Least Concern, 1 Data Deficient). We are grateful to the Tusk Trust for their support of our rangers.
Trade in wild-captured lemurs
Wild lemurs are captured and traded both legally and illegally within Madagascar. The legal trade is for tourist attractions, such as hotels with lemurs on premises or zoos. Illegal trades also target tourists and lemurs are used as photo props, or as a 'value added' item at restaurants and hotels. We aim to understand the magnitude of the trade of wild-captured lemurs and are exploring lemur trafficking through social media and forensic genetic technologies. Since lemurs are the most threatened group of vertebrates, and individual lemurs suffer immensely as a result of wild-capture, we encourage you NOT to support the capture and trade of wild lemurs by paying to interact with or feed lemurs, buying lemurs, or patronizing businesses (restaurants, roadside zoos, resorts) that have lemurs. We also encourage following the IUCN Primate Specialist Group Section for Human Primate Interactions guidelines for responsible primate photos.
We are grateful for funding from the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund to our forensic genetics collaboration with the Hunter College Primate Molecular Ecology Laboratory.
We are grateful for funding from the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund to our forensic genetics collaboration with the Hunter College Primate Molecular Ecology Laboratory.
Our lemur science programs address several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 including: no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), climate action (SDG 13), and life on land (SDG 15), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).