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Protecting lemurs and their habitat.

Happy Independence Day, America!

Happy Independence Day, America!

This week’s #FeatureFriday is all about Ansell!

This week’s #FeatureFriday is all about Ansell! #Ansell is the much beloved matriarch of one of our ring-tailed lemur families. Along with her partner #Yuengling and two of their offspring, #Goose and #Duffy, Ansell rules the forest.

Ansell and her brother #Molson came to LCF from Canada in 2007. Despite the major weather differences between Florida and Canada, Ansell adapted quickly and often doesn’t bother to utilize her forest shelter. Instead, the family is most often found sunbathing in the trees during the winter, or splayed out in the shade during the summer.

Ansell and her family are one of LCF’s most studied ring-tailed lemur groups, partaking in #research studies with topics including cognition, activity patterns, home range, diet, intestinal parasites, grooming behavior, and fecal cortisol levels. In addition, Ansell’s group has helped dozens of student researchers learn the basics of field research, animal observation, primate behavior, and animal identification during LCF’s field school programs.

Ansell is easy to recognize due to her permanent head tilt, a result of an inner ear infection over 5 years ago. Ansell doesn’t let it slow her down, however, as she has since given birth to nine infants in LCF’s multi-acre free-ranging forest habitats, easily keeping them in check and teaching them the rules of #forest life.
#ringtailedlemur #endangeredspecies #conservation

LCF loves to hear from budding #conservationists.

LCF loves to hear from budding #conservationists. These drawings are from our young supporter who writes: ‘My name is Jaden. I love lemurs. I want to save Madagascar.’ Although stunningly rich in biodiversity, #Madagascar’s primates face many challenges. Slash and burn agriculture has accelerated deforestation and erosion, which in turn has altered microclimates, leading to droughts, forest fires, and soil degradation.
#LCF is committed to #conservation programs on the ground in Madagascar to help #protect lemurs and their habitat. Our hearts are warmed by the support we receive from passionate kids like Jaden who are dedicated to ensuring a bright future for #lemurs. We believe kids have the power to change the world. Not tomorrow, but today. #EnviroKidz #PowerOfKids

Read more about how LCF is protecting lemurs and their delicate habitats in Madagascar here: https://www.lemurreserve.org/madagascar/

Let’s give a big Hip Hip Hooray for Luisa’s 6t

Let’s give a big Hip Hip Hooray for Luisa’s 6th #birthday!! This sweet and curious girl can often be found curled up with her partner Javier or making mischief with the ring-tailed lemurs or red ruffed lemurs that share their free-ranging forest home. Happy Birthday #Luisa! #mongooselemur #criticallyendangeredspecies #conservation

Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to

Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to Penelope Bodry-Sanders, founder of the Lemur Conservation Foundation. We are so grateful for her dedication to protecting endangered lemurs, which began when she founded LCF in 1996 — next year, we’ll celebrate our 25th anniversary! Penelope’s compassion for Madagascar’s primates is reflected in all that she does to advance our mission, including her own artwork and establishing LCF’s permanent lemur-themed collection.

Pictured is Penelope’s painting “Merced Dans Son Jardin” inspired by Victorian mourning pieces, which memorialize the deceased with a lock of their hair. Though Merced is alive and well at LCF’s Florida reserve, the artwork speaks to the conservation status for this species. Mongoose lemurs are Critically Endangered, at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Merced’s hair, opportunistically saved or collected during routine annual physicals, is artistically included in this meaningful painting. 18”x14”, oil on paper, hardware and lemur hair (2015)

Say hello to this week’s #FeatureFriday- Rosalit

Say hello to this week’s #FeatureFriday- Rosalita!! Rosalita, or Rosie, was born May 17, 2015 to mom Emilia and dad Bimbini. Four years later, in May 2019, Rosie left her family group to be a companion for then 26 year old mongoose lemur Guillermo. Rosie’s personality quickly adapted to her new situation and she began to develop from a rambunctious youngster used to playing with her younger siblings to a mature, gentle companion who was a great comfort to Guillermo in his golden years.
Following Guillermo’s passing this year, Rosie was re-introduced to her older brother Pablo. The pair took little time to re-familiarize themselves with each other and now spend much of their time lazing in the shade.

#Mongooselemurs are listed as #CriticallyEndangered on the IUCN’s Red List with an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. In addition to their important role in #conservation, #education, and research, Rosalita, Pablo, and all the mongoose lemurs at LCF serve as a genetic safety net against possible #extinction in the wild.

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is pleased to we

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is pleased to welcome Erica Cheaney, Marisa Fajardo, Sydney Kolpien, and Jay Sisemore as our new summer interns. All of these new additions bring great experience to LCF’s animal husbandry program. We are very appreciative that they have joined us during this challenging time and we’ve implemented ongoing precautions to keep them and our staff safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our thanks to Erica, Marisa, Sydney and Jay for following our protocols, which have included a ‘mini quarantine’ period that prevented them from shadowing husbandry staff for at least a week after their arrival at the reserve. Additionally, with their adherence to LCF PPE requirements, we are providing them with presentations and activities that do not directly involve lemurs during the transition. Presentations included a general orientation, animal welfare, and overviews of LCF’s Madagascar and education programs, while projects included making banana circles for compost, removing invasive vines, and updating the catalog of books in our library.

Read about their accomplishments and why they were attracted to LCF’s internship opportunities by following the link on our page!

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent pass

We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz) Guillermo. Many of you may know Guillermo was undergoing treatment for glaucoma, a condition caused by abnormally high pressure within the eye that often results in damage to the optic nerve, causing blindness. While his glaucoma treatment was progressing well, Guillermo’s overall health recently took a sudden and severe turn and staff made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him. Guillermo's necropsy revealed his cause of death to be congestive heart failure.
Though he was a recent addition to LCF, arriving in May 2018 from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Guillermo was a cherished part of our lemur colony. He was an extremely sweet old man and had little trouble slipping into the hearts of every single staff member.
Guillermo not only made a lasting impression on our staff, he also made several friends among our lemur colony. Individuals including Medella the ring-tailed lemur, who immediately decided to befriend Guillermo upon his arrival at LCF and subsequent introduction to her group, Ikoto the Sanford’s lemur, who lived in a bachelor pair with Guillermo for nine months before they were each paired up with a female mongoose lemur, and Rosalita, Guillermo’s mongoose lemur partner for his last nine months. In addition, Guillermo is survived by his twin daughters Leena (LCF) and Dahlia (St. Louis Zoo), and 6 grandchildren (and counting). Please keep Guillermo’s care team, who did all they could to care for Guillermo in his golden years and especially recently, in your thoughts and hearts during this difficult time.

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is often asked w

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is often asked whether or not lemurs make good pets. Follow the link in our bio and visit our website to read our full position, and learn why these unique primates do not make appropriate pets.

#endangeredspecies #notpets
https://www.lemurreserve.org/lemurs/lemurs-are-inappropriate-pets/

Today LCF is celebrating the 6th #birthday of our

Today LCF is celebrating the 6th #birthday of our favorite rambunctious red-ruffed lemur, Afo! This feisty guy is definitely living up to his name, which means ‘fire’ in Malagasy, by frequently getting into shouting matches with his half-brother Volana. Don’t let his tough-guy attitude fool you though, Afo is definitely a momma’s boy at heart and is often found sitting with and grooming his mother, Ravina.
Happy Birthday Afo!

This week’s #FeatureFriday is Emilia the #mongoo

This week’s #FeatureFriday is Emilia the #mongooselemur (Eulemur mongoz)! Emilia was the second lemur born at LCF, on May 5th, 2003, following brother Alejandro’s birth in 2002. Since then, LCF has welcomed 23 #criticallyendangered mongoose lemur infants to the reserve, including 6 born to Emilia herself!
These days, Emilia lives with her partner Bimbini and their two youngest offspring Rico and Felipe. When not keeping her offspring out of mischief, this experienced matriarch is often found snoozing in the shade, taking a well deserved break.

#Volunteer Highlight: John and Ron are a phenomena

#Volunteer Highlight: John and Ron are a phenomenal example of dedication to the Lemur Conservation Foundation. Volunteering since 2018, these brothers have been instrumental in preparing our new multi-acre #forest habitats for their #lemur inhabitants. John and Ron have worked tirelessly to help with fence repairs, installing new electronet, and a variety of other essential tasks to keep our forests safe for lemurs! These gentlemen have also dedicated their time and skill to building aerial pathways for the lemurs to safely travel from inside their shelters out into the forest. These guys have certainly left a lasting impact on both the staff and lemurs. Thank you John and Ron! #conservation #lcf #wesavespecies

#MadagascarMonday LCF's Madagascar staff co-organi

#MadagascarMonday LCF's Madagascar staff co-organized the World Environment Day festival in Andapa on June 5. This annual meeting is led by the Ministry of the Environment and Madagascar National Parks with local environmental organizations. All participants wore face masks.

Ansell firmly believes it is never too early for a

Ansell firmly believes it is never too early for a #nap.

Say hello to Common Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) Z

Say hello to Common Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) Zinfandel, this week's #FeatureFriday! Zin was born at LCF on May 14, 2012 to parents Shiraz and Pinot, and joined three older brothers Malbec, Muga, and Merlot. Now eight years old, Zin is a very talkative lemur frequently vocalizing at the LCF staff and his brother Muga. Although curious, Zin is also rather skittish and often runs away when presented with new enrichment.

This drawing from Lincoln, age 4, proves that you’re never too young to share compassion for #lemurs. He learned about them from the @naturespathorganic @envirokidz Leapin' Lemurs cereal box!

His mom, Elisa, wrote: ‘He designed a new house for the lemurs that he would like to build for them since their homes are being destroyed in #Madagascar - he took this definition of extinction very literally.’ We believe kids have the power to change the world. Not tomorrow, but today! #powerofkids

Lincoln's mom also symbolically #adopted a ring-tailed lemur for him from LCF. We’re very grateful to both of them! Learn more about our symbolic adoptions here: https://www.lemurreserve.org/adopt/

Rico is this week’s #FeatureFriday! Born at LCF

Rico is this week’s #FeatureFriday! Born at LCF on May 23, 2017, this little mongoose lemur just turned three years old! Rico is a fun-loving, active young lemur who is always looking for new ways to entertain himself. Luckily for him, little brother Felipe is always eager for a good play and Rico is often found hiding in the greenery ready to pounce if he gets too close.

Meet our staff! Congratulations to Caitlin Kenney,

Meet our staff! Congratulations to Caitlin Kenney, recently promoted to the Lemur Conservation Foundation’s Curator of Primates. Not only does she do a wonderful job managing the care of our colony (and wearing many other hats), but she also takes most of the wonderful lemur #photographs that we share on social media, in #LCF’s e-newsletter, on our website, and in other communications.

Check out the ‘what’s new’ page on our website (main site linked in our bio) to learn about Caitlin’s background and read answers she provided when we sat down with her to ask about photographing LCF’s #lemurs. The photos featured in the blog post are just a few of her favorites, including one of each of the six species at our reserve: #collaredbrownlemur, #commonbrownlemur, #mongooselemur, #redruffedlemur, #ringtailedlemur, and #Sanfordsbrownlemur.

"All right, Ms. Kenney, I'm ready for my close-up.

"All right, Ms. Kenney, I'm ready for my close-up."

This week's #FeatureFriday is ring-tailed lemur Du

This week's #FeatureFriday is ring-tailed lemur Duffy! Duffy and her twin brother Moose were born at LCF on May 24, 2014 joining older siblings Rogue and Allagash and parents Ansell and Yuengling. Over the years, Duffy helped raise five younger siblings, a common behavior among #ringtailedlemurs known as alloparenting.

Duffy started out as a rather mischievous young lemur, but maturity has brought her a level of calm not typically seen in our other female ring-tailed lemurs. Duffy is a reserved individual and while she is still dominant to the males in her family group, she is also happy not taking the lead.
#endangeredspecies #conservation #lcf

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