L

e m u r

o u n d at i o n

Photo credit: I Gunilla

o n s e rvat i o n

LEMUR LATITUDES AUTUMN 2014

mission statement
The Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) is
dedicated to the preservation and conservation
of the primates of Madagascar through captive
breeding, scientific research, and education.
n lem

ur

LCF staff

Ikoto
, San

fords

brow

Alison Grand
Nancy Hendrickson
Caitlin Kenney
Lee Nesler
Catherine Olteanu
Felicia Spector
Pete Shover

scientific advisory
council members
Dr. George Amato
Dr. Kenneth E. Glander
Ms. Andrea Katz
Dr. Thomas Lovejoy
Dr. Erik R. Patel
Dr. Elwyn L. Simons
Dr. Robert W. Sussman
Dr. Ian Tattersall
Dr. Linda Taylor
Natalie Vasey, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeffery Wyatt

contents

John Alexander
Penelope Bodry-Sanders
Mark Braunstein
Blair Brown
Gail Erickson
Anne Essner
John Freeman
Kata Lippincott
Elizabeth Moore
Patrice Connolly Pantello
Judy Rasmuson
Scott Riviere
Razia Said
Charlene Heiser Wolff

lemur conservation foundation 2013 annual report

board of directors

Mission 1
Staff 1
Board of Directors

SAC 1
Welcome New Board Members

Executive Directors Letter

Comfort Branch

2014 Lemur Births

5-6

Adopt a Lemur

5-6

2014 AAZK Conference

Ako Book Series

Richard Thomas 2015 Calendar

10

Welcome to the LCF Team!

Welcome to the LCF Team! We are delighted to announce that Ms.

Anne Essner, Mr. John Freeman, Ms. Elizabeth Moore, and Ms. Razia
Said have joined our board of directors.
Anne Essner
Anne Essner has lived in Sarasota since 2008. She is a board
member of the Lemur Conservation Foundation and the Lido Shores
Property Owners Association, where she serves as President. Anne is
also an active volunteer for Mote Marine Laboratory and the Sarasota
Orchestra. Sculling and tennis occupy much of her free time.
Prior to moving to Sarasota, Anne lived in the Philadelphia
suburbs and the Metro New York region. While living in Villanova,
Pennsylvania, Anne served on The Womens Board of the
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where she chaired its fine
arts fair, USArtists. Anne also served as a Trustee for The Gladwyne
Montessori School.
After her familys move to Morristown, New Jersey, Anne worked with
several organizations, including Newark Academy; Deirdres House,
a center for abused and neglected children; and she served as Chair
of The Great Swamp Watershed Association, which protects and
improves regional water resources.
Anne is a graduate of Skidmore College and received her MBA
from Columbia University. She has worked in publishing and the
pharmaceutical industry. She and her husband, Bob, divide their
time between Sarasota and New York City. They have children and
grandchildren in New York and Boston.
John Freeman
John A. Freeman is a Financial Advisor at Raymond James, a
national financial services firm serving individuals and businesses
in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. Prior to his current position, he was
with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Mr. Freeman has held various
positions with IBM and Archer Daniels Midland Company while often
working overseas in South America and Asia-Pacific.
John currently resides in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where he met
his wife, Dr. Jennifer L. Swanson MD, a local Ob/Gyn. They have two
young children in Pre-School.
After receiving his bachelors at Wake Forest University and masters
at Louisiana State University, he is completing his Doctorate in
Environmental Science at the University of South Florida (USF). John
is an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Science & Policy. He is
responsible for teaching Environmental Science, Ethics, Law, and
Policy courses at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Elizabeth Moore
Elizabeth Moore is an active supporter of scientific, natural history,
and educational institutions. She is married to Stuart Moore, and the
mother of 5 children. Elizabeth and her husband live in Bradenton,
Florida.
Elizabeth earned an M.A. International Affairs from American
University, 1986, and a B.A. Economics & French Literature from
Denison University, 1983.
She serves on several boards, including St. Stephens Episcopal
School in Bradenton, Florida, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee
County, the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, the Museum
of Science in Boston, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem,
Massachusetts, and the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman,
Montana.
Elizabeths interests include tennis,gardening,skiing, scuba diving,
ballroom dancing, amateur paleontology,conservation, and reading
books on evolution and anthropology.
Razia Said
Singer and songwriter Razia Saids nomadic life has taken her across
Africa to France, Italy, Ibiza, Bali and New York City, but despite
these wanderings her heart and soul remains inexorably tethered to
Madagascar, the land of her birth.
Her musical explorations have also been wide ranging, and over the
years Razia has experimented with French chanson, rock, jazz and
even smooth Sade style R&B.
But it took reaching back to her cultural roots for Razia to uncover her
true artistic calling as one of African musics most promising talents
and in February 2007 Razia returned to Madagascar to reconnect
with the land she left as an eleven year-old child.
For six weeks Razia and her band travelled around the island, and
discovered along the way the environmental damage taking place
as the result of unfettered slash and burn agricultture, illegal logging
and climate change. Zebu Nation released on Cumbancha Discovery
in February 2010, was the outcome of this journey. Razias longing to
protect and preserve the environmental and cultural heritage of her
homeland permeates the songs on the album, giving it a powerful,
real-world significance.
Razia is preparing for the release of her next album Akory which will
be available this fall in Europe and February 2015 in the USA. For
more information: www.raziasaid.com

Mr. Freeman is active in local and international leadership and

community service initiatives. He is a past Board member for
the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association and VP of Business
Development for the Sarasota Sister Cities Association. John is a
2006 graduate of the Leadership Sarasota County program and a
recent 2014 graduate of the Manatee County Leadership program.
He currently serves as Treasurer of the Crowley Museum and Nature
Center and participates on the ShelterBox USA Finance Committee.
John is a ShelterBox Response Team member, having responded to
flooding disasters in Niger, Africa and flooding and landslides in Peru,
South America.
When not working and volunteering, he enjoys international travel,
reading, fly-fishing, boating, and playing tennis.

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Dear Friends,
It was my privilege to spend the month of August in
Madagascar with Dr. Ian Tattersall and a wonderful
group of committed conservation travelers. Together we
visited some of Madagascars natural treasures, and saw
communities and ecosystems working hand in hand for
some notable successes.
I also had the chance to speak with some of the
countrys leading conservation professionals and
educators about the challenges and opportunities they
face. It is inspiring to see such programs like the World
Lemur Festival originating in Madagascar and inviting
AZA participants around the world to participate.
Our colony, our colleagues in Madagascar, and
our partnerships with zoos, schools, community
organizations, businesses and supporters like you are
working towards our common goal: A future with vital
populations of lemurs and thriving communities living
in priceless natural areas.
I invite you to join us with a special year-end gift to help
us build upon our achievements in the coming year.
Sincerely,

Lee Nesler

THANK YOU! for supporting the Lemur Conservation Foundation!

LEMUR

CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION

Name Email Address

Address State Zip Phone

Enclosed is my tax deductible donation of:

q
q

$1000

q $500

q $250

q $150

q $75

q $50

q Other __________

My check is enclosed
q Please charge my credit card one time q Please charge my credit

card monthly

q Please send me information about

including the LCF in my will

q Please send me the LCF biweekly

email newsletter

__ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ Exp. Date (MM/YY) __ __ / __ __ CVC __ __ __ __

THE LEMUR CONSERVATION FOUNDATION IS A REGISTERED NONPROFIT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. (REGISTRATION# CH367268) INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES. THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER OF THE
DEPARTMENT IS 1-800-435-7352 CALLING FROM WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, OR 1-800-410-3800 CALLING FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
LLA112014

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Conservation

Comfort Branch
LCFs conservation efforts help provide a genetic safety
net and an opportunity for observation and study of lemur
behavior. Our central Florida location experiences periods
of extreme heat and some cold temperatures throughout
the year, which can be stressful for lemurs. Off-the-shelf
solutions to climate challenges are inadequate or unsafe,
especially in LCFs free-ranging forest habitats. In order to
provide optimal environment conditions and comfort from
these harsh periods, a branch that provides temperature
controlled surfaces has been designed and prototyped by a
group of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign MechSE
Senior Design students.
The senior engineering students solution is the Comfort
Branch. The Comfort Branch is solar powered, requires no
maintenance, and is highly capable. Loadings in excess of
nine lemurs are structurally supported with a safety factor of
4.1 and the surfaces are capable of 20-degree temperature
differences from ambient, even on the hottest of days. Two
on-board batteries provide hours of power on overcast days
and work seamlessly with the solar panel and the load seen
from the thermoelectric modules. These thermoelectric
modules are capable of both heating and cooling and can be
used to maintain the desired panel temperature. They are
controlled based on both plate and ambient temperature
readings.
Waste heat created by the thermoelectrics is rejected via
the three forced convection heat sinks attached to the frame
which sandwich the thermoelectric modules between the
ribs/panels. The Renogy 100-watt solar panel is capable of
providing three times the necessary power (on the best of
days), but, according to government insolation values, it can
be expected to provide approximately 527 watt hours/12
hour day, which exceeds the conservative estimate of 340
watt hours/12 hour day that will be required by the thermal
system. A solar charge controller funnels all of the generated
power through the batteries where it is either stored or
distributed to the thermoelectric modules at the desired
voltage. This voltage is controlled by a DC-DC convertor
that varies its output based on the controlled digital
potentiometer and also a relay which switches the system
between heating and cooling.

The frame was constructed entirely out of aluminum

angle iron and square tubing, providing an affordable and
strong structure. The PVC outer shell provides a branch
like surface for lemur lounging and aluminum paneling
and ribs that conduct the temperature from the module
up to the surface. A hot wire foam cutting technique was
used to construct internal insulation which holds the ribs
and modules in place while maintaining the temperature
differential. Developing an electronics system which agreed
with the thermoelectric modules required creativity. The
solar panel, welding, and thermoelectric modules were the
most expensive parts of this project.
The branch is designed to thermally comfort up to three
lemurs reliably without maintenance or an external power
supply. The iterative design and analysis process led to
a simple and effective plan which was implemented in
the form of a fully functioning prototype all within the
spring 2013 semester. The team is now in the final stages
of building and installing the project. The second class is
updating the branch and making modifications to make it
lighter and easier to mount in the forest. It will be delivered
for installation in 2015.

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014 4

2014 was a successful year for LCFs managed breeding program. Births included a critically endangered
red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra), two critically endangered mongoose lemurs (Eulemur mongoose), and four
endangered ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta).

Ring-tailed lemurs

Mongoose lemurs

All four ring-tailed infants are part of family groups living

in LCFs multi-acre forest habitats, providing scientists and
our animal husbandry team the opportunity to observe
maternal and infant
behavior in a naturalistic
setting.
A set of twins was born to
mother Ansell and father
Yuengling. This is Ansells
second set of twins,
following the birth of twin
girls in 2013. After a few
weeks, the new twin
infants were observed
climbing on Ansell
and investigating
their surroundings.
Ansell and the new
infants are living in
the forest habitats
with sire Yuengling
and their yearling
daughters born in
2013, twins Rogue
and Allagash. Rogue
and Allagash are often
seen interacting with
their new siblings.

Kikeli, a critically
endangered Mongoose
lemur, gave birth to the
first infant of 2014 at Lemur
Conservation Foundation.
Kikelis new infant is starting
to climb around on mom a
lot, and is reaching out to
one-year-old brother, Silvio,
and father, Felix.

(Lemur catta)

Two other ring-tailed

lemurs gave birth to
infants at LCF this summer.
Sarsaparilla and Sobe, twin
sisters transferred to LCF
last year from the Duke
Lemur Center as part of the
Ring-tailed lemur Species
Survival Plan, had infants
with sire Molson. Although
Sarsaparilla and Sobe are
both first time mothers,
they are both doing an
exceptional job at caring
for their newborns in the
forest habitats.
Ring-tailed lemurs are listed as Endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
due to a largely restricted habitat, habitat destruction and
hunting. With rapidly declining wild populations, colonies
such as LCFs and LCFs participation in managed breeding
programs play an important role in the continued survival
of the species.

(Eulemur mongoose)

Silvio and Felix are both

very interested in the new
addition to their family
group, and have groomed
the infant while it holds
onto its mother. With such a
young infant, Kikeli is being a
good, protective mother and
only allows the males brief
contact with the baby.
On June 28th, Emilia
gave birth to the second
mongoose infant born at
LCF in 2014. The new infant
joined father Bimbini,
and brother Pablo in
this family group. At
six weeks old the baby
was starting to venture off of mom and
play with Pablo. While the babys curiosity had it moving
around more, Emilia, a second time mother, was still very
protective even going so far as to turn her body so the
baby faced away from the keepers.
In the four years between 2008 and 2012, the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) increased the
conservation status for Mongoose lemurs from vulnerable
to critically endangered.
The IUCN and the Species Survival Commission organized
the Lemur Red-Listing and Conservation Planning
Workshop in July of 2012. Participants met to review the
status of all 103 known species of lemurs, concluding that
lemurs are among the most endangered species in the
world.
With almost 94% of all lemur taxa (for which sufficient
data were available to enable their assessment against
the Red List criteria) now classified as being threatened
with extinction, this status review indicates that lemurs are
probably the most endangered mammal group worldwide.
Lemurs of Madagascar: A Strategy for their Conservation
2013-2016 by Schwitzer et al.

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Red ruffed lemur

(Varecia rubra)

A red ruffed lemur infant was born at LCF on 13 June to first time mom Ravina. LCF
staff named him Afo because of his feisty and spirited personality. Afo means fire
in Malagasy. Unlike our other lemur species, red ruffed infants do not cling to their
mother. Instead, because females can give birth to litters of up to six infants, the mother
makes a nest where her babies safely reside until they are big enough to move around
on their own. At nearly two months old Afo was often seen running around the enclosure,
climbing low branches and spending time with mother Ravina and father, Tsikey.
In their wild habitat in Madagascar red ruffed lemurs are threatened by habitat loss
and hunting for food. The Masoala Peninsula also experiences frequent cyclones; as the
extant populations of red ruffed lemurs are concentrated on that peninsula, cyclones
threaten to catastrophically impact the survival of this species.
The latest IUCN Red List categorizes the red ruffed lemurs as Critically Endangered. The captive red ruffed lemurs
housed at LCF participate in the AZAs cooperative breeding program to help safeguard the species against extinction,
improve the captive populations genetic diversity, and serve to learn more about these engaging animals.

Ansells Twins Update!

Ansells twin infants, Moose and Duffy, are now four months old! While they still often hang out with mom, both babies are
gaining independence quickly and taking after their older sisters. All four can frequently be found playing together in the
trees, on the ground, or at the forest shelters.

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Lemurs

Adopt A Lemur
$50 - Basic Lemur Adoption Kit: Certificate of adoption,
an LCF annual membership card, a lemur power
bracelet in your choice of color, and information
about the species of lemur you chose for your symbolic
adoption. Your gift supports our lemur colony and
managed breeding program.

$100 - + plush lemur key chain made in Madagascar,

supporting local, sustainable businesses.

$250 - all below + a roomy tote bag designed by artist

Kathy Ruttenberg. The design features Christina, a
mongoose lemur at LCF.

$500 - all below + An LCF monogramed waterbottle for

your outdoor adventures.

$1000 - all below + Zebu Nation, a CD by Razia Said,

a talented musician from Madagascar (and LCF baord
member!) whose music brings an inspiring message
about Madagascar and its biodiversity treasures.

$5000 Adopt a Family Group of lemurs, and your gift

will provide annual care for a family of lemurs for one
year. We will thank you with all of the gifts below + a
set of organic cinnamon & vanilla from Madagascar,
and a chocolate bar from Endangered Species
Chocolate featuring ring-tailed lemurs and LCF!

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Lemurs

Lemurs remain the most endangered primate species in the world. Our colony, and your support, helps ensure a genetic safety net
for their survival, increases conservation literacy and empathy for struggling animals and communities. Your symbolic adoption of a
lemur at LCF helps us provide care for our lemurs everything from enrichment items like sunny seats and craisins , to special diet
supplements and veterinary care.

ADOPT A LEMUR
Choose the lemur species you would like to adopt!
To thank you for your symbolic adoption, you will receive our basic lemur adoption kit: a certificate with a picture of a lemur in our colony, a
subscription to E-ulemur Latitudes, our bi-weekly e newsletter, our print newsletter two times each year, a lemur power bracelet, and an LCF
membership card.

$50 - Basic Lemur Adoption Kit

$100 - + plush lemur key chain

$250 - all below +Kathy Ruttenberg bag

$500 - all below + 4 Endangered Species Chocolate bars featuring ring-tailed lemurs and LCF
$1000 - all below + Zebu Nation CD by Razia Said, a talented musician from Madagascar whose music brings an inspiring message about
Madagascar and its biodiversity treasures.

$5000 all below + a set of organic cinnamon & vanilla from Madagascar! Adopt a Family Group of lemurs, and your gift will provide annual
care for a family of lemurs for one year.

ADOPTION LEVEL

$50

$100

$250

$500

$1,000 $5,000

I WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT Ring-tail Mongoose Brown Lemur Collared Sanfords Red ruffed Lemur
Lemur Power Bracelet Color & Size Name:________________________________________________________________
Color:

Purple Green Teal

Address:______________________________________________________________

Size:

Small Medium Large

City:_____________________________ State: _______ Zip:___________________

Please send me additional Lemur Power Bracelets

($2.75 each including shipping and tax)

Phone: ___________________________ Email:______________________________

Color:

Purple Green Teal

Name on Card:__________________________________________________________

Size:

Small Medium Large

Card Number:__________________________________________________________

MC Visa AMEX DISCOVER

Expiration Date:____________________________ Security Code:________________

Mail to LCF P.O. Box 249 Myakka City, FL 34251
Is this a gift? Please add name and mailing address! 941-322-8494
Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

2014 American Association of Zoo Keepers Conference

A team from LCF traveled to the 2014 American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) conference. Casey Krause, an LCF intern
alumnus, gave a presentation on a family of lemurs from our organization titled A Successful Hand-Rearing & Reintroduction
of an Infant Mongoose Lemur. Casey also attended a workshop called Primates: Husbandry and Management for the 21st
Century.
Disneys Animal Kingdom and Greater Orlando AAZK provided a magical experience during the 41st Annual AAZK
Conference. With total daily and full registrations numbering around 400, this was one of most well attended conferences
in AAZK history. In addition, AAZK Professional Development presented its inaugural certification series workshops. The
conference experience also included conference attendee access to AAZK
Online, AAZKs Collaborative Learning Environment, where attendees
could network before, during and after the conference as well as download
resource materials from their workshops.
The keynote speaker was National Geographic photojournalist Joel
Sartore. Joel shared his passion for wildlife and the need to preserve the
magnificent creatures that inhabit our planet. His presentation showed both
the professional and personal side of his life as a photographer, entertaining
attendees with his breathtaking wildlife shots and his gift for capturing the
serious and humorous facets of human life.
The Ako Series, Madagascar Lemur Adventures, is a six book series written by Dr. Alison Jolly and illustrated by Deborah Ross
especially for children 4 to 12 years old. Each book features a different lemur, from the tiny mouse lemur to the engaging ring-tailed
lemur, in a captivating story that imaginatively teaches children about natural science, conservation, and the island of Madagascar.
These are not textbooks... the stories are meant to be exciting, beautiful, funny, and sometimes scary!
Through original art and storytelling the books teach children about lemurs and Madagascar, one of the most
rare and endangered animals and ecosystems in the world. The books are produced and distributed by the
Lemur Conservation Foundation, with Natures Path Foods EnviroKidz Partnership in Global Conservation.
This enchanting and ravishingly illustrated little book about some of the worlds most beautiful and endangered
creatures cannot fail to captivate its readers, young and old.
Dr. Ian Tattersall
A special holiday offer order your set of Ako Books for $50, including all applicable tax and shipping. You will
also receive a Lemur Power bracelet.
Please send me _____ set(s) of books
Purple Bracelet Qty: S____ M____ L____

Green Bracelet Qty: S____ M____ L____

Teal Bracelet Qty: S____ M____ L____

Payment Information:
Your name:_______________________________________________________________________
Your address:_____________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________________ State:______ Zip:______________
Phone:________________________ Email:_____________________________________________
(we ask for this information in case of difficulty with payment processing or shipping)
Credit Card: MC Visa AMEX Discover Exp: Month_______Year_______Security Code_______

Shipping Address:
Your name:_______________________________________________________________________
Your address:_____________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________________ State:______ Zip:______________
Phone:________________________ Email:_____________________________________________

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

Lemurs

Richard Thomas
Richard Thomas is a prolific fine artist who is best known
currently for his intense and exquisite nudes and portraits.
His work has been exhibited in numerous one and two-man
shows in art galleries throughout Florida. His paintings are
included in some of the most prestigious private collections
in the country, including the Rufus and Bebe Kemper
Collection in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mark Ormond, Curator of Exhibits at Ringling College of
Art and Design, has written of his work: ...Richard Thomas
has distinguished himself with a style and contribution
that is his own. His drawings are compelling because they
encourage our engagement not only with the appearance
of his subjects but also with the nuances of being human
he has observed and recorded.
Thomas is a fifth generation Floridian raised in the wilds
of central Florida and passionate about its diverse flora
and fauna. A born naturalist, he fell in love with the
lemurs and brought his abiding artistic power and grace
to his renderings of them for the Lemur Conservation
Foundation Art Collection.

LEMUR

2015 LEMUR CALENDAR

CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION

by artist Richard Thomas

*All LCF supporters at the $500 level or higher will automatically receive the calendar.

If you would like to order wall calendars:

Call us at 941-322-8494, visit our web site at www.lemurreserve.org, or return this coupon with your check or credit card, and the
number of calendars you would like to order.
I would like to order ___ calendar(s) @ $85 including Tax and Shiping. ($62 is tax deductible).
Suitable for framing, LCFs limited edition calendar is printed by the typeset process on heavy archival rag.
It measures 11 x 17 to which our reproduced artwork (5.5 x 8.25) is affixed.

Name

Email Address

Address

City

State Zip
Phone

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Exp. Date (MM/YY) __ __ / __ __

Secure Code __ __ __

Lemur Latitudes ~ Autumn 2014

10

LEMUR

121352),7
863267$*(

CONSERVATION

3$,'

FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 249

Myakka City, FL 34251
(941) 322-8494

Mission Statement:

The Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) is a small non-profit corporation dedicated to the
preservation and conservation of the primates of Madagascar through captive breeding, scientific
research, and education.
Designed by Trina Nous, www.trinanous.com
Written by Lee Nesler and Catherine Olteanu
Edited by Nancy Hendrickson
Printed on recycled content by Print King

Shop on our website www.lemurreserve.org

P.O. Box 249

Myakka City, FL 34251
(941) 322-8494

www.lemurreserve.org
LCF is a 501c3 tax-exempt publicly supported organization.
(Federal ID 59-3359549) founded in 1996.