annual report 2020 FRONT COVER: Felipe, a mongoose lemur, born at LCF in 2019 ABOVE: Collared brown lemur, Jolene the knowledge that time is running out for lemurs. They are the most endangered group of mammals on the planet: 98% dear of all lemur species are threatened with extinction. Nearly a third of all lemurs are critically endangered – just one step away friends, from ceasing to exist. Not only is saving these unique species Few would argue that 2020 was an essential, protecting lemurs protects all extraordinary year. the other flora and fauna that share their COVID-19 separated us, literally, from habitat. Some lemurs pollinate plants, the donors and friends who make the others spread seeds and all contribute to Lemur Conservation Foundation’s vital the survival of Madagascar’s plants and work possible. I joined LCF in the fall, animals, 90% of which are found nowhere meeting my new colleagues masked and else in the world. six feet apart, and valued supporters We must – and we can – triumph. only via phone, Zoom or email. Because 2021 marks the Lemur Conservation lemurs are susceptible to COVID-19, their Foundation’s 25th Anniversary. Your devoted caregivers here on our 130- unwavering support, encouragement and acre reserve tended to them masked and commitment during a very challenging gloved, as well. 2020 make me confident that, together, All of this physical distance could have we will continue our positive momentum created emotional gulfs; instead, gen- to preserve and protect lemurs for erous and inspirational people bridged generations to come. the divides with warmth, innovation and endurance. Sincerely, Sanford’s brown In Madagascar, our staff and colleagues lemurs Ikoto traveled through dense, jungled terrain to (front) and Bao bring healthcare and fuel-efficient stoves to far-flung villages, planted more than Deborah Robbins Millman 25,000 trees, and monitored Madagascar Executive Director national parks and reserves to reduce the negative environmental impact of illegal crops and mining. On our Myakka City reserve, we refused table of contents to let flight restrictions stand in the way of collaborative lemur transfers to 2 Lemur Stats and Updates 12 Events Going Virtual Association of Zoos and Aquariums’- 5 The Power of Education 15 New Faces Here and There accredited facilities. Those transfers, part of the AZA’s Species Survival Plan 6 Successes in Madagascar 17 Nothing without Volunteers Programs, help prevent extinction by increasing the number of healthy lemurs 8 New Research and Hosted 18 Let’s Get Down to Business born. When transporting the lemurs by air Students was not an option, staff drove thousands 20 Thank you to Our Donors of miles cross country, even picking up 10 Art Impacts and transporting other institutions’ lemurs along the way. The 2020 Annual Report was generously underwritten by Penelope Bodry-Sanders These impassioned actions stem from and Mackarness M. Goode. 1 lemur stats and updates THE LEMUR CONSERVATION FOUNDATION conserves and protects five lemur species at its Myakka City, FL reserve. In 2020, the colony’s population numbered 40. In the protected areas supported by LCF in northeastern Mada- gascar, we protect 11 species. LCF works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plans to ensure the long-term health and genetic diversity of managed lemur populations. SSPs are used to help manage the population of select species in AZA facilities and to help with the conservation of those species in the wild. As lemurs continue to struggle for survival in the wild, LCF continues to play a critical role in maintaining a genetic safety net for lemurs who are threatened with extinction. Funding for lemur care received a boost in June 2020, when the board of directors established the Dr. Alison Grand Animal Husbandry Program “in recognition of and gratitude for Dr. Alison Grand’s compassionate, far-reach- ing and exceptionally professional contributions to the well-being and flourishing of LCF’s conservation lemur populations.” In 2020, LCF welcomed one new addition to the critical- ly-endangered red ruffed lemur population. Female Ravina gave birth to her third offspring, a male named Frezy, on May 25. LCF not only works with the SSPs to plan breeding groups, but also to coordinate transfers of lemurs into and out of its colony. In 2020, animal transfers were especially challenging, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no end to the pandemic in sight but with an urgent need to do all we could for lemur survival, the LCF team went to work! In late September, over the course of three days and 4,500 miles of driving, LCF coordinated with six other in- stitutions to complete the recommended transfers of two wallabies, three mongoose lemurs, two crowned lemurs, one red ruffed lemur, and one black and white ruffed Red ruffed lemur. lemur, Afo 2 did you know? Do you ever get as excited for weigh day as mongoose lemur Felix (left) does? All of the lemurs in our colony voluntarily get on a scale once a month in exchange for a treat or two. Knowing the current weight of an individual allows us to make sure all our lemurs are being well cared for. We can make any necessary chang- es to their diet and can give the proper dose of medications when we have an accurate weight. Mongoose lemur, Felix, (above); infant red ruffed lemur, Frezy stats (right) % of N. % of N. 2020 IUCN 2020 LCF American 2020 IUCN 2020 LCF American species status population population species status population population Mongoose Lemur Critically 14 24% Collared Brown Lemur Endangered 4 11% Eulemur mongoz Endangered Eulemur collaris Red Ruffed Lemur Critically 7 4% Common Brown Lemur Vulnerable 4 57% Varecia rubra Endangered Eulemur fulvus Ring-tailed Lemur Endangered 11 2% Lemur catta 3 in memoriam: Ikoto IN MAY 2020, THE LEMUR CONSERVATION FOUNDATION family and conservationists worldwide mourned the loss of Sanford’s brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi) Ikoto, who was the last of his species in human-care across the globe. Ikoto was 29 years old; his passing was age-related. Ikoto was an LCF favorite, both for his striking looks and his sweet personality. He was heavily featured in print materials including annual reports and fundraising initiatives. He was also the subject of multiple artistic and creative projects which movingly illustrate the challenges faced by lemurs and foster their preservation. In 2014, journalist Adam Davies (with photographer Kim Longstreet) won multiple awards from the Florida Magazine Association and the Society of Professional Journalists Florida Pro Chapter for their feature “The Loneliest Lemur on Earth” published in Sarasota Magazine. The piece introduced the mission and day to day operations of LCF and included a contemplative view of Ikoto’s life. The reader was left em- pathetically aware of what it means to be the last of a species in the Western hemisphere, and of the numerous challenges facing the rest of Ikoto’s lemur family in Madagascar. Ikoto’s significance was further captured in 2015, by Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer and founder of the Photo Ark, when he visited LCF to photograph Ikoto for the project. The Photo Ark is dedicated to photographing every species maintained in human care in order to inspire the public to care about and protect these species into the future. Finally, in 2017, Ikoto was memorialized as the subject of a painting by LCF founder Penelope Bodry-Sanders which was featured during the organization’s gala that year. The artwork, titled “Ikoto’s Vision – Longing for Lost Forests,” represents LCF’s commitment to the preven- tion of the extinction of lemurs. To Bodry-Sanders “Ikoto was, and is, a symbol for me of everything we are losing.” LCF mourns every individual lemur who passes, but losing Ikoto is especially devastating because no safety net for his species is possi- ble. We are a leader in the conservation of lemur species; however, in the case of Ikoto and the Sanford’s brown lemurs, there were too few animals to serve as an assurance population for their wild counter- parts. This is not a new challenge faced by those that manage ex situ conservation breeding programs, and highlights the difficulty in relying on this strategy to save a species. In these times, we must redirect the drive, energy, resources, love, and passion to another species in peril. Photo by PhotoArk.com 4 the power of education Ako Professional Development Workshop LCF hosted its 2nd annual Teacher Open House in early March which marked the last on-site event of the year before the reserve was closed to all non-essential personnel. This hands-on workshop allowed several local teachers to earn a certificate of completion for professional development used for teaching license renewal and recertification requirements. Educators were provided with an opportunity to observe, model, and practice activities from the Ako Conservation Education Program curriculum in order to familiarize themselves with the content and conservation themes. After a deep dive into a variety of biological concepts, workshop participants left feeling prepared to confidently and effectively take action to make a positive difference for lemurs in their own classrooms. Ako Storytime LCF broadcasted its very first digital Ako Storytime educational lemur activities increased from from one of the free-ranging lemur forests at the Myak- previous years. ka City reserve. Participants of all ages joined us online from libraries across Sarasota County as staff read 27 kits distributed in 2020 one of the books from the Ako Series titled Furry and 15 zoos Fuzzy the Red Ruffed Lemur Twins. Our family of red 9 schools ruffed lemurs delighted participants by making an ap- 13 other organizations pearance during this event.