Hope for Lemurs: Prof. Ratsimbazafy on Conservation, Community, and the Future

Summary

Podcast Summary: Robin's Nest from American Humane

Episode Title: Hope for Lemurs: Prof. Ratsimbazafy on Conservation, Community, and the Future
Host: Dr. Robin Ganzert
Guest: Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy
Date: October 6, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Robin's Nest spotlights the conservation efforts of Professor Jonah Ratsimbazafy, a globally renowned primatologist from Madagascar. The conversation centers on the dire situation facing lemurs—one of the most endangered mammals on the planet—and the urgent, community-driven efforts to save them. Professor Jonah shares his personal journey, the critical threats facing lemurs, the unique role lemurs play in Madagascar’s ecosystem, and how global partnerships—with research institutions, zoos, and local communities—form the backbone of effective conservation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Professor Jonah’s Journey into Lemur Conservation

• Personal Origin Story:
  • Professor Jonah began his scientific path as a paleontologist studying fossils. His shift to conservation came from witnessing lemurs trapped and dying in the wild, prompting him to switch from studying dead lemurs to saving the living ([01:52]):
    • Quote:

      "I saw lemurs trapped. Trapped and died. And I said, I told myself, let me save the living lemurs. But the dead lemurs can wait under the ground until I am ready."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([02:34])

• Emotional Connection:
  • Lemurs are not just animals to him—they are "a world patrimony." He emphasizes their critical importance to the Malagasy ecosystem.

2. The Unique Importance of Lemurs in Madagascar

• Endemic Significance:
  • Lemurs are found only in Madagascar.
  • Their ecological role is vital: they disperse seeds and maintain forest integrity.
    • Quote:

      "If lemurs disappear, all Madagascar ecosystem collapse. Because lemurs disperse seeds. And lemurs maintain the integrity of the forest."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([03:09])

• Vivid Description of Madagascar’s Uniqueness ([05:28]):
  • Jonah captures why Madagascar is so special, highlighting that its natural wonders surpass cultural landmarks in uniqueness.
    • Quote:

      "We do not have Statute of Liberty... we do not have the Wall of China. But we have lemurs."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([05:32])

3. Major Threats to Lemurs' Survival

• Stark Statistics:
  • Over 90% of lemur species are on the brink of extinction ([06:12]).
  • Less than 10% of Madagascar’s original forest remains.
  • At the current rate, all forests—and thus, all lemurs—could be gone in 30–35 years ([06:22], [08:02]).
    • Quote:

      "Within the next 35 years, if the current speed of deforestation remains the same, There is no forest left in Madagascar. 35 years. That is tomorrow."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([08:29])

• Specific Threats:
  • Deforestation due to "slash and burn" agriculture.
  • Hunting.
  • Climate change.
  • Poverty-driven resource use: "Starving stomach has no ears" ([09:54]).

4. Obstacles and Strategic Solutions

• Collaboration is Key:
  • Conservation requires joint efforts: researchers, zoos, and especially local communities ([09:16]).
  • Government support exists, but poverty and basic human needs create challenges; locals prioritize feeding their families over long-term conservation.
  • Empowerment and education of local communities are essential.
• Role of Good Zoos and Research:
  • Zoos like the Houston Zoo partner on the ground to support both conservation science and community development ([11:03]).
  • Zoos contribute by:
    • Supporting in-field research.
    • Providing safe environments for breeding and eventual reintroduction.
    • Funding local education and empowerment efforts.
    • Spreading global awareness.
    • Quote:

      "The zoo is a safe place... and actually, today there are many zoo leaders to reintroduce animals back to the world, back to their native habitat."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([11:03])

• Education and Youth:
  • Professor Jonah focuses on training and inspiring the next generation.
  • Conservation is a "circle... between many people" ([12:43]).

5. The Keisling Prize & Global Impact

• Recognition and Opportunity:
  • Professor Jonah is a finalist for the Keisling Prize, which empowers him to amplify his efforts and train more young Malagasy conservationists ([14:26]).
    • Quote:

      "With the Kisling Prize, I can train the young generation to make the difference. This is incredible opportunity."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([14:43])

• Inspired by Lemurs: “Lemur Therapy”:
  • Jonah believes lemurs offer therapeutic value, helping relieve stress simply by their presence ([15:27]).
    • Quote:

      "If I am stressed, if people are stressed, go and see the lemurs... and your stress is gone."
      — Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([15:36])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Existential Urgency:
  • "Within the next 35 years, if the current speed of deforestation remains the same, There is no forest left in Madagascar. 35 years. That is tomorrow."
    —Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([08:29])
• Human-Poverty Link:
  • "Starving stomach has no ears."
    —Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([09:54])
• Conservation Philosophy:
  • "Conservation is not a person concerned. It is a circle of conservation between many people."
    —Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([12:43])
• Hopeful Vision:
  • "Before my eyes will close forever, I want to see the change. And the change will happen and we will turn our vision into action."
    —Jonah Ratsimbazafy ([16:53])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Professor Jonah’s Lemur Origin Story – [01:52]
• Madagascar’s Uniqueness & Lemurs’ Role – [05:28]
• Alarming Extinction Threats & Deforestation Stats – [06:12], [08:02]
• Collaboration: The Team Effort Approach to Conservation – [09:16]
• The Socioeconomic Challenge – [09:54]
• Zoo Partnerships and Community Empowerment – [11:03]
• Role of Education and Youth in Conservation – [12:43]
• The Keisling Prize and its Impact – [14:26]
• “Lemur Therapy” and Conservation Hope – [15:27]
• Closing, Professor Jonah’s Legacy Dream – [16:53]

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Episode Tone and Language

• The tone is heartfelt, urgent, and hopeful—interspersed with humor and real emotion.
• Professor Jonah speaks with passionate clarity about both the science and soul of his mission: “I could not stand for their call, asking me help. Because they are endangered.” ([02:14])
• Dr. Ganzert matches with warmth and admiration, highlighting Professor Jonah as both an inspiration and a catalyst for systemic, global change.

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Conclusion

This episode is a profound testament to the struggle and hope embodied in global conservation work. Through Professor Jonah’s story, listeners gain both a sobering understanding of the lemur’s plight and a sense of how interconnected, community-based action—bolstered by well-run zoos, dedicated researchers, and inspired youth—can turn the tide. The message is clear: heartbreak and hope coexist in conservation, but together, real change is possible—before it’s too late.

Transcript

[A]

I'm so excited to welcome my guest today, Professor Jonah Ratzembarzafe. A true hero from Madagascar's incredible wildlife. He spent more than 30 years protecting endangered lemurs, leading community driven conservation and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. As a Keisling Prize finalist and the first African president of the International Primatological Society, Jonah's work is changing the future for both people and wildlife in Madagascar. Welcome to Robin's Nest. Many of us feel a deep bond with animals, from the pets we cherish at home to the endangered species in nature. Join us for lively, informative conversations where together we will build a more humane world. Oh, I'm so excited about this episode of Robin's Nest because I'm with one of my personal heroes in comic conservation. Truly a worldwide leader in not only saving one endangered species, but having an impact and system wide change in a biodiversity hotspot that we all love. I am so proud to welcome Professor Jonah Ratzembazzafi here on Robin's Nest. Professor Jonah, I'm so thrilled to welcome you. Thank you for being here at Fair Oaks Farm today.

[B]

My pleasure to be here. This is a beautiful place, Robin. Thank you very much.

[A]

Well, we're out in nature and of course, so much of your work is in nature. And you've had such an incredible, incredible journey to save one of the most beautiful species on the planet, the lemur. Do we have lemur fans listening today to Robin's Nest? Because they're precious. Absolutely precious. Can you tell us about your love story for the lemurs?

[B]

Lemurs for me, it is part of my life. And I am wondering my mission. What is my mission? Basically my background is paleontology. I studied fossils. And then when I started, because when I was a kid, my parents brought me to visit the zoo in Antananaria, the capital of Madagascar. I saw lemurs and I thought that they're like cats or dogs, but they like love banana and jumped fast on trees. It's only until I was a student at university I realized that lemurs is unique, endemic to Madagascar, just Madagascar. And then I went to the, to the field to dig fossils. And we saw lemur. We saw lemurs trapped. Trapped and died. And I said, I told myself, let me save the living lemurs. But the dead lemurs can wait under the ground until I am ready. And I switch from studying fossils, dead lemurs, to living lemurs. That's why I am primatologist. I study lemurs. And I could not stand for their call, asking me help. Because they are endangered.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And that is why I become close to them. I love them. And the purpose of my life is to save the limers. For me, lemurs is not just a beautiful animals. It is a world patrimony. And I told myself, okay, I have to save them before it is too late. Because if lemurs disappear, all Madagascar ecosystem collapse. Because lemurs disperse seeds. And lemurs maintain the integrity of the forest. So Madagascar revote. Lemurs is not Madagascar. So I load them, I take care of them before it is too late. So that is my job now.

[A]

First of all, your journey to me is so intriguing. Because what you've described is you're going down one path. Paleontology and the study of fossils. And you're finding in this study and in this work, you're finding fossils of lemurs. And that in turn allows you to open your heart and even your ears. To hear the call of the lemur to save the remaining ones on Earth. That's such a great inspirational story. And I'm sure young people have to be inspired by your work. I know when I started out, it's so interesting. I was fascinated by paleontology too. And did fossil digs and thought in my undergraduate career. That was what I was going to study. And here we are today, saving live animals from the threats of extinction. So it's interesting how both of our journeys started with the love of fossils. And understanding the power of the earth and all. Take our listeners to Madagascar. And describe the beauty of this gorgeous spot on Earth.

[B]

I think Madagascar. The limits choose to come to Madagascar. 50 million years ago in Madagascar, we do not have Statute of Liberty. We do not have Eiffel Tower. We do not have Pyramid of Egypt. We do not have the Wall of China. But we have lemurs. Yes, we have lemurs. And the lemurs live now under big threats. Because more than 90% of the limbs are on the brink of extinction.

[A]

90% of the lemurs.

[B]

9. 0. Why? Because of deforestation.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Hunting and climate change. Lemurs are like fish. Fish cannot survive outside of the water. And lemurs cannot survive outside of the forest. But more than 90% of the forest in Madagascar original forest has been gone within the next 30 years. If the current speed of deforestation remains the same. There is no forest left in Madagascar. That means there is no lemurs left. So this is urgent. This is really urgent. There is no time, waste time. We have to act now. We have to do our job altogether. And conservation is a team effort.

[A]

I am just devastated by what you've just shared. In terms of the threats facing the precious lemurs and the percentages that are facing the threats. May I ask you about the obstacles you're facing? You talk about deforestation. Those are big, big entities to fight. Right. You're talking about climate change. That is so challenging and so paralyzing for so many of us trying to make an impact here. We're at Fair Oaks Farm, thousands of miles away from Madagascar. We hear about this, and we're all frightened. You are up against huge threats, huge obstacles to save these species. What are those specific threats, and how are you tackling them?

[B]

The threats of the lemurs are, first of all, deforestation, habitat loss, hunting, and climate change. And because of that, 90% of our lemurs, which is unique for Madagascar, are on the brink of extinction. Lemurs, like fish. Fish cannot survive outside the water. And lemurs cannot survive outside of the forest. But we only have less than 10% of the original forest left in Madagascar. Which means that within the next 35 years, if the current speed of deforestation remains the same, There is no forest left in Madagascar. 35 years. That is tomorrow. And that is why we have to act fast, cleverly. No time. You don't have to waste our time. And to do the job, we have to work together. Because conservation is a team effort.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Researchers, zoos.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And local communities.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

We have to work together to escape extinction. And I am firm, strongly believe that we can stop extinction so the next generation could still see the lemurs.

[A]

Is the government of Madagascar helpful?

[B]

The government tried to do their best. And I helped the government to save the lemurs. But the people of Madagascar are very poor.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And we have the saying, starving stomach has no ears. Where can I find the next meal for my children? That's what I want to do. My children are starving to death, so I have to find food. And that's why they cut down the trees to do slash and burn. And they do that on and on and on. And finally, all the forest is gone. So we work, help the government to save this unique and endemic richness of Madagascar.

[A]

And as you say, 30 years. It could all be gone in 30 years.

[B]

And 30 years. That is tomorrow.

[A]

Yes, it literally is. And there would be no more lemurs in their natural wild.

[B]

We want to save. And that is why we need to work in the zoo. Because researchers go into the field to do research, to collect critical Data. And the data that the researchers collect should turn into action.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And the zoo is a safe place to environment for the lemurs.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Because in the zoo you can do research, but we cannot do in the world. And actually, today there are many zoo leaders to reintroduce animals back to the world, back to their native habitat. And that is why working with the zoo is vital, crucial. And I am the Houston Zoo Matagashkar program director. Yes, I am a researcher and I work with the zoo and the local community. The local community. Because once you bring them back, reintroduce them to the world, the local community is responsible to.

[A]

Safeguard and take care of them.

[B]

And take care of them. And as, again, as I said, the peoples are poor. We support the local community to improve their livelihood.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

To educate the children, to empower them. To empower them. And because I believe that conservation is really a teamwork, research finding should go into action. And the zoo can do the job and the local community. So I can. Conservation is not a person concerned. It is a circle of conservation between many people. That is why we do work, delegate, train the young generation to attend our vision. Because you may have a vision, but you have to achieve the vision. The question is how to work all together, because conservation is your collective task, which demands the involvement of all of us.

[A]

You know what I really appreciate, what you just shared here in Robin's Nest, is the role and the importance of good zoos and aquariums, helping to partner with local communities, helping to partner with these biodiversity hotspots that are in such a need of urgent response. And these good zoos and aquariums like the Houston Zoo and the great people of Houston that are supporting the Houston Zoo, you were actually helping to save lemurs with Professor Jonah. Isn't that incredible? So that should make you feel really, really proud of visiting a good zoo and aquarium and allowing a percentage of your dollars that go to those tickets to help fund conservation. You know, I love that. And what you're doing is you're trying to create these catalysts of changes on the ground with communities who face poverty, they face threats to their livelihood, and all of that's impacting the survivability chances for the lemurs. So I must tell you, I'm so proud of your work. But I'm going to pivot quickly because you are here in our beautiful farm. We're celebrating the Keisling Prize, of which you're a finalist. What does it mean to be a Kiesling Prize finalist to you?

[B]

Oh, I think The Kiesling Prize will allow me to transform for me to lead the fight against extinction.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I believe that with the Kisling Prize, I can train the young generation to make the difference. This is incredible opportunity. So this is. I'm the finalist, but this is a nation, a winning. So I can speak on behalf of the Malagasy people.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Thanks to the Kislyn Prize, your hub, because for us, it's for the humanity. Limur is not just a beautiful animal, beautiful creature. For me, it is a therapy.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I believe on what we call limerotherapy, if I am stressed, if people are stressed, go and see the lemurs.

[A]

Yes, yes, absolutely.

[B]

And your stress is gone. So I believe. But with the Kislyn Press, we can maintain the world therapy and the lemurs. Thank you so much.

[A]

Well, on behalf of Global Humane Society, which is the group that hosts the International Kiesling Prize for species Conservation, we are honored that you are a finalist and that you're doing this very important work. And I also love the fact that you are inspiring the next generation of conservationists take on that heavy mantle of responsibility to protect the precious lemur. I also want to give a big shout out to the Houston Zoo. Thank you for what you do to support Professor Jonah's work. I'm so honored that you are here today and congratulations on being a finalist. Thank you very much for the 2015.

[B]

And to your family, to the Kislyn family, because I don't find the word strong enough good enough to thank you. But trust me, together you will definitely make the difference before it is too late. I keep always saying, before my eyes will close forever, I want to see the change. I want to see the change. And the change will happen and we will turn our vision into action. And I believe on that we can do the difference altogether.

[A]

I just want to repeat what he said. Before my eyes close forever, I want to see the change. Those are such inspirational words and they've touched my heart and I'm sure they've touched everyone listening today to Robin's Nest. Professor Jonah, continue to lead the good fight. We're right here fighting with you. Thank you so much for being in this episode of Robin's Nest. Thanks so much for listening to this week's episode of Robin's Nest. Please, like, subscribe and follow and thanks for all you do to build a more humane world.