Blog – Lemur Conservation Network

Guidelines for Reducing the Risk of Lemur Exposure to COVID-19 at Ecotourism and Research Sites in Madagascar

By Lynne Venart on April 6, 2020

The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and there is now evidence of infection with the virus causing COVID-19 in Madagascar.1 As we prepare for this public health emergency, we must also recognize the potential threat of this pandemic to Madagascar’s lemurs. Wild chimpanzees have experienced respiratory outbreaks following infection by human coronaviruses2 and it is highly probable that chimpanzees and other non-human primates, such as lemurs, are similarly susceptible […]

Primatologist Naina Rabemananjara explains field methods for following lemurs in the Tsinjoarivo Forest.

ExplorerHome Builds Enthusiasm for STEM Fields in Madagascar

By Lynne Venart on January 5, 2020

What is ExplorerHome Madagascar? ExplorerHome aims to: Inspire young people with scientific curiosity and interest in STEM fields; Inform the public about scientific research in Madagascar; and Provide educational and recreational activities for students that help them learn STEM skills while having fun. The Beginning of ExplorerHome When Dr. Tsiory Andrianavalona and Dr. Ramihangihajason Tolotra Niaina were in their third year of university for paleontology, they knew they wanted to make science easier for all to understand and appreciate. They […]

Black and white ruffed lemurs are pollinators. Photo: Mathias Appel.

Tales of a Lemur’s Apprentice #3

By Lucía Rodríguez on December 7, 2019

Hello again lemur fanatics. I’m back and I would like to talk about Black and White Ruffed Lemurs. The clue is in their name, easily recognisable by their fluffy back and white fur. At Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, there are three Female Black and White Ruffed Lemurs. For their safety and everyone who visits the Park’s safety, the lemurs are kept in their own spacious enclosure. Ruffed lemurs are very territorial. If they were in the walkthrough, they would […]

The Ranomafana area of Madagascar celebrated the World Lemur Festival in 2019.

2019 World Lemur Festival Events

By Lynne Venart on November 9, 2019

Events in Madagascar Events in North America Events in UK and Europe

About Frontier’s Research Programme in Madagascar

By Lucía Rodríguez on September 8, 2019

Frontier’s research programme in Madagascar features three core surveys: monitoring the populations of lemuriformes, herpetiles and avifauna; and examining the impact of habitat degradation on their diversity. The avifauna is monitored using point count surveys, while lemuriformes and herpetiles are studied using transect surveys. Frontier conducts research in the South-East of Nosy Be, Madagascar’s largest offshore island, next to Lokobe National Park. Frontier’s research area therefore contains a variety of terrestrial habitats, including both primary native forest and heavily degraded areas; […]

View of bridge to camp from hiking in the forest. Photo: Lynne Venart

Visiting Anjozorobe Forest to See Wild Lemurs Near Antananarivo

By Lynne Venart on September 8, 2019

If you have a few extra days near Antananarivo, consider visiting the Anjozorobe Protected Area, just 2 1/2 hours away by car. The Anjozorobe forest is home to 82 species of birds and 11 species of lemur. The lemur species here are similar to those found in Andasibe-Mantadia, but the indri is darker in coloring. And, the trails are much less crowded than those at Andasibe! About Saha Forest Camp In October 2019, I spent three days and two nights […]

Indris in Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve By Lynne Venart

Hiking and Camping in Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve

By Lynne Venart on September 2, 2019

A Northeastern Rainforest Reserve Rarely Visited by Tourists Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve (ASSR) is rarely visited by tourists. In fact, when I asked my guide Jackson how many tourists he thinks had visited ASSR that year, he said, “Not many tourists. Just you.” I was excited to see ASSR in person, after learning about it from Dr. Erik Patel when we discussed his work in the reserve with the Lemur Conservation Foundation. But why is it so rarely visited? The […]

Desiré Rabary shows us his tree nursery in Antanetiambo Reserve. Photo: Lynne Venart.

Local Reserves in SAVA: Visiting Desiré Rabary’s Antanetiambo Reserve

By Lynne Venart on September 2, 2019

After hiking in Marojejy National Park to see silky sifakas in the beautiful mountain rainforest, we spent a couple of days relaxing near the beach in Sambava. Then, we head out of the city for the second multi-day hike of the trip: four days in Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve (ASSR) with Jackson as my guide. But first, I wanted to see the locally managed Antanetiambo Reserve on the way. We stayed in the town of Andapa that night in order to […]