Blog – Lemur Conservation Network

How do Lemur Diets affect their Cognition?

By Katie Hallsten on July 31, 2020

What impact does diet have on lemur cognition? Why do some lemur species have more robust spatial memory than others? Although relatively little is known about cognition or memory capabilities in lemurs, there is growing evidence that the answer to the above question may actually have something to do with differences in diet between lemur species. In this blog post, we will explore this research and discuss what it means for lemurs’ cognitive ability. Spatial Memory supports retrieval of the […]

A New Project to Build Communication and Outreach Capacity for Malagasy Organizations

By Lucía Rodríguez on July 27, 2020

We are very happy to launch our new project “Building communication and outreach capacity for Malagasy organizations to grow local knowledge and support for lemur conservation in Madagascar”! This project addresses the need for more education and information about lemurs, their importance, and their conservation in the Malagasy language. Additionally, it responds to the challenges faced by Malagasy conservation organizations when communicating their work to local, national, and global audiences. This project will benefit the conservation of more than 26 lemur […]

Thank you to LCN's World Lemur Festival volunteers!

Welcome the 2020 World Lemur Festival Team!

By Lynne Venart on July 14, 2020

We are excited to welcome and introduce our 2020 World Lemur Festival volunteer team! They will be helping the Lemur Conservation Network make a big impact for this year’s World Lemur Day and World Lemur Festival.

Welcome and thank you to this talented group of volunteers!

Welcome our 2020 Science Communication and Education Volunteers!

By Lynne Venart on July 3, 2020

We are excited to welcome a new group of science communication and education volunteers to the Lemur Conservation Network! These volunteers come to us from Madagascar, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and across the United States. We are so happy to unite this talented group of passionate conservationists to work together to make an impact for lemur conservation.

Memoir Brings Readers on an Epic Adventure Saving Lemurs in Madagascar

By Lucía Rodríguez on May 14, 2020

When I first heard that giant lemurs had once roamed the earth, I was fascinated and devasted. Fascinated to learn that at one point in our planet’s history there had been at least 17 large-bodied species of lemur, the largest of which is estimated to have weighed 160 kg. But I was devastated because researchers think these giant lemurs may have been around as recently as 500 years ago. I had just missed them. Today, there are 111 species and […]

Saving the lemurs of Tsitongambarika: Madagascar’s southernmost rainforest

By Lucía Rodríguez on May 11, 2020

Deforestation and hunting by humans have devastated the lemur community in the Tsitongambarika humid forest in the south-east corner of Madagascar. The area is one of the largest expanses of lowland humid forest remaining in the country, and home of seven lemur species – all little known and now highly threatened. In 2009 the Malagasy government declared Tsitongambarika a Protected Area, banning tree cutting and hunting. Forest clearance for traditional tavy agriculture and a high dependency on forest resources for […]

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 […]