2017 LEMUR CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Annual Report MIARAKA | TOGETHER 1 On the cover: A silky sifaka photographed by Dr. Erik Patel in Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve. Pictured on the inside covers are scenic views of Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR) and neighboring villages (front) and Marojejy National Park (back) in northeastern Madagascar. The Lemur Conservation Foundation works with partners on the ground to support these mountainous rainforest reserves, and established Camp Indri in ASSR as an ecotourism destination. Spanning 280 sq km (108 square miles), ASSR is home to at least 11 species of lemurs, including critically endangered indri and silky sifakas, and a wide variety of rare plants and wildlife. Photo credit: Dr. Erik Patel 2 Dear Friends OF THE LEMUR you make it possible to protect 830 square Conservation Foundation, miles of pristine lemur habitat as well as create sustainable livelihoods in Madagas- Table of contents The Lemur Conservation Foundation’s car, educate the next generation of con- progress toward our vital mission to save servationists, and expand our conservation the primates of Madagascar from extinc- breeding program at our lemur reserve in Director’S Letter 1 tion is made possible only by the combined Florida. Thank you for partnering with us efforts, compassion, and support of our to create positive change for lemurs, com- Lemurs 2 Malagasy partners, generous donors, dedi- munities, and our planet. cated Board of Directors, expert Scientific reserve 4 Advisory Council, researchers, artists, With gratitude, educators, and committed staff, interns, and volunteers. madagascar 6 Miaraka is the Malagasy word for togeth- er, and together we share and demonstrate Dr. Alison Grand research 8 our commitment to saving lemurs and their Executive Director diminishing habitat in Madagascar. education 10 Habitat loss, the single biggest threat to lemurs and Madagascar’s exceptional biodiversity, is rooted in extreme poverty art 12 and non-sustainable land-use practices. Because of this we are working with local events 13 communities to decrease the reliance on forest resources and increase the benefits staff & INTERNS 16 of protecting forest habitats. Only by work- ing together can we protect the natural resources necessary for the health of both volunteers 18 communities and wildlife in Madagascar. It is more urgent than ever for us to con- financials 20 tinue and intensify our lemur conservation efforts. Only 15% of Madagascar remains DONORS 22 covered in forest, with nearly 40% of the natural forest cover being lost over the last four decades. Through your support of the Lemur Conservation Foundation, 3 lemurs The Lemur Conservation Foundation ed one ring-tailed lemur and three is home to 54 lemurs covering six mongoose lemurs. Known for her four species. LCF works with the Associa- year history of producing twins, staff tion of Zoos and Aquariums Species were surprised when ring-tailed lemur Survival Plans to ensure the long-term matriarch Ansell gave birth to one health and genetic diversity of man- large healthy infant on April 1. This aged lemur populations. As lemurs infant, a male named Foster, marks continue to struggle in the wild, LCF’s Ansell’s 12th infant born at LCF. lemurs continue to play a critical role Mongoose lemur partners Kikeli in maintaining a genetic safety net and Felix welcomed their fourth infant for lemurs that are threatened with on April 6. Mirabel joined her par- extinction. ents and older siblings Mateo (2014) In 2017, LCF had some important and Consuela (2016) to become the additions to the ring-tailed lemur and largest mongoose lemur family on the mongoose lemur populations. These reserve. Recent partners Leena and births were particularly significant Merced also became parents in May because of the status of these popula- to a female, Jorga. Jorga is the pair’s tions. With ring-tailed lemurs desig- third offspring, joining older siblings nated as endangered and mongoose Julieta (2015) and Javier (2016). Our lemurs as critically endangered, every last mongoose lemur infant was born infant helps to ensure the survival of to long-time companions Emilia and their species. Bimbini. Rico joined older sibling Ro- This year our additions includ- salita (2015) as the pair’s fifth offspring. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE STATUS KEY CRITICALLY ENdaNGERED – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. ENdaNGERED – Very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. NEAR THREATENED – Close to facing a high risk of extinction in the Ring-tailed lemur mother and infant, Ansell and Foster wild in the medium-term future. 4 LCF Lemur population update SPECIES 2017 IUCN STATUS 2017 LCF POPULATION MONGOOSE LEMUR Critically Endangered 18 Eulemur mongoz RED RUFFED LEMUR Critically Endangered 6 Varecia rubra RING-TAILED LEMUR Endangered 17 Lemur catta COLLARED BROWN LEMUR Endangered 6 Eulemur collaris SANFORD’s brOWN LEMUR Endangered 1 Eulemur sanfordi COMMON BROWN LEMUR Near Threatened 6 Eulemur fulvus percentage OF N. American ZOO population housed at lcf MONGOOSE LEMUR 25% RED RUFFED LEMUR 3% RING-TAILED LEMUR 3% COLLARED BROWN LEMUR 16% SANFORD’s brOWN LEMUR 100% COMMON BROWN LEMUR 46% (above) Mongoose lemur mother and infant, Kikeli and Mirabel; (below) Red ruffed lemurs Orana Wood and Rivotra 5 reserve ELIZABETH MOORE FOREST HABITAT LCF has made it a top prior- ity to increase the number of lemur forest habitats to house our growing lemur popula- tion. Since our forests exceed typical home ranges for many lemur species, we decided to start with the cost-effective solution of dividing our largest forest into two ample lemur LCF Hurricane Irma ride-out crew Damage from Hurricane Irma habitats. Once the ground was suitable for heavy equipment, HURRICANE IRMA Dean’s Tree Service began the work of removing fallen In early September, LCF braced itself for lemurs did not seem to mind their night trees from the hurricane and the arrival of Hurricane Irma. We were indoors and happily resumed their normal clearing the area for the new extremely grateful to our supporters for the breakfast routine. We were fortunate that fence line. The new forest will outpouring of donated hurricane supplies most of our buildings and structures were give us the ability to house to help us prepare for the storm. As the not damaged, and our generators kept the three new lemur groups in an rains began the day before the projected wells, fans, and refrigerators running until enriching and spacious forest landfall, the staff moved the lemurs into our power was restored a week follow- habitat. The forest will be their sturdy indoor, concrete block buildings ing the storm. Although the Jim Toomey completed and ready to house to safely ride out the storm. The hurricane Woods Lemur Habitat suffered extensive new lemur groups in 2018. ride-out crew stayed on-site to care for the damage, we took this as an opportunity lemurs and manage operations through to begin our project of dividing Toomey the storm. After the storm passed, the staff Woods to create an additional forest space, quickly went to work checking on the le- the Elizabeth Moore Lemur Habitat fund- murs and assessing the storm damage. The ed by LCF Trustee Elizabeth Moore. 6 LEAP FOR LEMURS In 2017, LCF began work on its most exciting re- serve initiative since the construction of the Miana- tra Center for Lemur Studies, Marilyn K. North Lemur Lodge, Jim Toomey Woods, and Michael and Jean Martin Quarantine in 2005. Generous support for the Leap for Lemurs Campaign (2016- 2018) is allowing LCF to create an additional lemur forest habitat and building, a lemur clinic, and main- tenance workshop and funding operations. With 74% of the $2.2M raised towards the campaign goal, LCF created design plans for the maintenance workshop and lemur building and began construc- tion of the Elizabeth Moore Forest Habitat. With this significant expansion, we can continue our suc- cessful conservation breeding program and provide exceptional care for our resident lemurs. (top) LCF Campus Plan by CLR Design; (bottom left) Aerial view of Jim Toomey Woods; (bottom right) Clearing for forest division 7 madagascar 2017 marked the third year in LCF’s covered picnic table. expanding conservation program in On the remote west side of Marojejy northeastern Madagascar. Our programs National Park, we built a 150 foot long are based on the Lemur Action Plan, a footbridge through our collaboration comprehensive guide to saving lemurs in with Seacology and the village Antsa- the wild by the International Union for haberaoka. This village is critical to silky the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Our sifaka conservation and children were commitment to ecotourism, one of the unable to reach the new school primary objectives of the Lemur Action without the bridge. Plan, was fully realized with the comple- A variety of community-based conser- tion of Camp Indri. vation programs are underway including Made possible through the generosity reforestation, environmental education, of Emily H. Fisher, Camp Indri is the fuel-efficient stoves, fish farming, forest only established campsite in Anjana- monitoring and family planning. Several haribe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR), a silky sifaka and other research projects 108 square mile mountainous rainforest. are being planned for 2018. Visitors may now enjoy four covered tent shelters, the Emily Fisher dining (top left) World Lemur Festival; (top right) New pavilion, running water, toilet/shower picnic table at Camp Indri; (middle) Footbridge; buildings, and a newly completed (bottom) Tree nursery at Antanetiambo 8 Raised more than 284 7,000 trees in two FUEL EFFICIENT nurseries stoves Distributed Covered picnic table completed at CAMP INDRI 2 NEW COMMUNITY AND 20 private fish ponds UNDER construction Provided family planning 38 Malagasy services to students hosted at over 150 Camp Indri for women 3-day field trips in 8 villages Paratilapia polleni harvested from OUR 4,000 MODEL fish pond Organized WORLD LEMUR Festival IN WHICH over 1,500 people participated 150 ft.