In 1986, anthropologist Patricia Wright arrived in the tropical paradise of Madagascar. Seemingly, she was hunting a ghost: the greater bamboo lemur — then believed to be extinct.

Lemurs predate humans by millions of years and have long been prevalent on Madagascar. In contrast, the first human settlers arrived on the Island within the last few thousand years. Despite our relatively short period of coexisting with these animals, human activities have contributed to their decline and — in some instances — apparent extinction.

But, remarkably against all odds, the redoubtable Patricia Wright found not only that the lost lemurs were still alive. She also discovered a new species that was entirely new to science.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Wright who is now a Professor and primatologist at Stony Brook University. At the same institution she founded the Institution for the Conservation of Tropical Environments which operates the Centre Val Bio in Madagascar.

We discuss her life’s work, her remarkable discoveries, lemurs, and the magical island of Madagascar.

Guest: Dr. Patricia Wright

Patricia C. Wright's research in tropical ecology, primatology, and conservation biology includes a long term study (1986 - present) of the behavioral ecology of Propithecus edwardsi, the Milne Edward's sifaka, in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Wright, her students and post docs investigate the demography, feeding behavior, parasite loads, infant development, genetics, tooth wear, reproductive behavior, predation pressure, and aging in this wild community of four adjacent rain forest sifaka groups. Current research includes investigating the growth, tooth eruption patterns, and ontogeny of various lemur species, the nutritional composition of lemur foods, the relationship between lemur foods and medicinal plants, the role of parasites on populations, and the effect of habitat disturbance on lemur populations. Wright′s long term database on individual lemurs, weather patterns, and plant phenology is maintained at SUNY Stony Brook. Wright also conducts biodiversity surveys in tropical forests of Madagascar to address conservation problems. In addition, Wright is spearheading construction of dormitories and computer facilities at the international research station (Centre ValBio) adjacent to Ranomafana National Park. Wright′s recent NSF grant addresses senescence in wild lemurs, particularly mouse lemurs and sifakas.

Selected awards

Indianapolis Prize Winner, Indianapolis Zoological Society (2014) Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (2014) Commandeur National Medal of Honor of Madagascar (2012)

Resources:

Centre Val Bio

Natural World Safaris

Lemur Conservation Foundation

Patricia Wright Bio Stony Brook University

Island of Lemurs Documentary

Music: Pixabay

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