Hello, I’m Dr Sara Fontani from the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom and I’m a primatologist. I’m here to talk about captive lemur’s welfare, reproduction and conservation. Please ask me anything!

Submitted by UniversityofBath t3_xsu1w5 in IAmA

Hi Reddit, I’m a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Wolverhampton University, where I’m a member of the Animal Behaviour & Wildlife Conservation group, working on the Marie Curie project The Enriched Primate - EnPrim.

My project focuses on the critically endangered Gentle lemur (Hapalemur alaotrensis) and aims to enhance the breeding success and welfare of captive lemurs using chemical communication to promote mating behaviours and increase reproduction in captivity. My research involves strictly non- invasive methods to obtain chemical, behavioural, endocrinological and microbiological data and it will contribute to the preservation of a species at very high risk of extinction with possible reintroduction into the natural environment.

If you are interested in talking about my research or just or just want to learn more about these wonderful animals, I will be on at 2pm (GMT 1) on Saturday 1st October, ask me anything!

Proof: Here's my proof!

Thank you for spending this time with me and for your interest in my project and these beautiful primates. I did not expect so many fascinating questions, it has been great to see so much interest! I am sorry I did not manage to answer all the questions, but I have got time constraints due to other commitments. If you want, you can contact me at s.fontani@wlv.ac.uk and follow me on Twitter at @SaraFirenze. I will be happy to address to any other question. Please do not forget to leave your feedback at https://www.menti.com/alsm1ao6jy3h/0 All the very best!

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Comments

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Annual-Mud-987 t1_iqm95lu wrote

Hi! Why are Gentle Lemurs called gentle? Are they particularly peaceful or nice to each other?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmc9iv wrote

Hi! They are called gentle lemurs as they look like fluffy
teddy bears! They are also called Alaotran bamboo lemurs as their habitat is
restricted to the wetlands surrounding Lac Alaotra, Madagascar, and they eat a variety
of marsh vegetation, with papyrus reeds and bamboo making up a large proportion
of their diet.
However, they leave in small groups and usually are not
aggressive each other (but hostile behaviours can occur during the breeding
season).

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Techn0ght t1_iqmvs5z wrote

I did not know lemurs were primates. Thank you for expanding my knowledge today. They are so cute! I wish you the best with your work to help these little ones!

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Celticlady47 t1_iqmawve wrote

Thank you for the work you are doing to help these beautiful creatures. Will you be setting up a release program?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqme2mv wrote

Many thanks! My research project
aims to improve captive breeding success. Hopefully, some of these individuals
may be reintroduced into their habitat in the future. At the moment, other colleagues are working on the safeguard of
the gentle lemurs’ environment in Madagascar, as it is very restricted and
threatened by habitat destruction due to reed beds being burned and the lake
drained for rice irrigation. Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust – Jersey Zoo is coordinating the international efforts for the
conservation of this species.

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whatevenisthis123 t1_iqmd5sl wrote

What is something surprising about lemurs the general public might not know?

Also, where do you see the future of academia in the UK going?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmk1jv wrote

Gentle lemurs are cathemeral (they are active day and night) and the only
lemur species living above water in bamboo and papyrus reed beds. They are also
known locally as ‘bandro’; the bandro is culturally sacred to Madagascar’s
Sihanaka tribe. Oh, and surprisingly females are dominant over males and can be
quite aggressive!
Regarding the future of UK academia, there are concerns due to the uncertainty
about accessing to EU research funds and network of colleagues, but here at
Wolverhampton we are doing well and optimistic about the future!

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Kiwilolo t1_iqmivnn wrote

Can you talk more about the non-invasive data collection methods you use (or perhaps which invasive methods you have avoided using)? What made you decide to restrict your methods in this way? I'm always curious about the potential trade-off between getting more data to potentially help the species vs causing distress or damage to individuals.

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmz56a wrote

I chose to use non-invasive methods to collect my data (behavioural data, feacal samples, and ano-genital odour samples via positive reinforcement training) both to avoid distress the study subjects (safeguard animal health) and to not affect the results. I avoided to use blood to analyse hormone levels and to capture animals to collect odour samples. In most cases I think we can opt for non-invasive methods, it is logistically more difficult but a better ethical choice - I believe.

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NavidaS t1_iqmd9tm wrote

You mention reintroducing the species to the natural environment and how their habitat is restricted to a part of Madagascar - are there any other habitats that are similar in which they could potentially thrive?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmvbz7 wrote

It is not ideal to introduce a non-native species in a new environment. It could cause problems to native species both in terms of feeding resources and competition.

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tenaciousfetus t1_iqmevmc wrote

What's your favourite thing about gentle lemurs? :)

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmxju6 wrote

The fact that they kiss each other! They do it to understand if the other animal eat something that could be interesting, but anyway is lovely to see!

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8zzzz t1_iqn13kc wrote

That is so funny as humans equate kissing to love, they kiss to see if their mate ate the last cookie.

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TheGrandExquisitor t1_iqmr0fr wrote

Hello Dr Fontani - Can you speak about lemur intelligence in relation to the other primates? I was always given the impression that the prosimians were thought of as "kind of dumb," in relation to monkeys, but I also think that could be wildly incorrect now thanks to research by people like you.

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqn2auw wrote

Primate cognition is not my field of study. However, it is true that lemurs have less developed cognitive skills than other primates, such as apes. On the other hand, lemurs use sensory modalities differently than other primates - for example, their olfaction is much more developed than those of apes or humans.

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psichickie t1_iqmduhw wrote

How many zoos/facilities around the world are working with this species? Since this species has such a specific environmental need, and their habitat is being destroyed for rice fields, where might reintroduction occur, if not in their native habitat?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmupwj wrote

Unfortunately, due to the difficulties in managing this species in captivity, they are not common in European zoos. In Europe there are around twenty facilities that host gentle lemurs. Yes, reintroduction can only occur in their native habitat, which then needs to be protected

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TheInternetCat t1_iqmj884 wrote

Second to lemurs, what primate would you most like to work with?

Also, what are your thoughts on the use of primatology to better understand aspects of human psychology?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqn0f5n wrote

In addition to lemurs, I have also worked with cotton-top tamarins during my PhD work. I loved them!

Psychology is not my field of study, but clearly humans have much in common with other primates and so primatology can help us to improve our understanding of human psycology via comparative studies.

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MrIantoJones t1_iqn8q47 wrote

Did programs like Zoboomafoo (Kratt Brothers generally) help or hurt conservation efforts?

I want them to have helped, but I know the general population gets weird around “exotic” animals.

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lechatestsurlatable t1_iqmchpr wrote

How do chemical signals affect breeding behavior? Are you mimicking something that the captive animals cannot do that they normally do in the wild?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmhyvn wrote

Odour is linked directly to physiological condition and is therefore
expected to provide accurate information about sex hormone levels. Hence,
chemical signals will inform other group members about the reproductive status
of female lemurs.
I studied scent-marking and sexual behaviours in captive lemurs and I
collected vaginal odour samples over the breeding period, as I would have done
in the wild. I also analysed the odour compounds and resynthesized the female fertile
mixture in our lab at Wolverhampton. I am now using this mixture to trigger
male mating behaviour in lemur pairs which have been struggling with
reproduction across European zoos.
In captivity logistics and practicalities of the data collection are a lot
easier! Since captivity is a controlled environment (i.e. diet, enclosure, daily
routine) we recognize that our experimental set-up may provide a slightly different
outcome than would have been in the wild. However, our aim is to improve
captive breeding.

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CrustedButte t1_iqmo92l wrote

To trigger the mating behavior, do you just spray the scent on the female lemurs?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqn1sfx wrote

To trigger male mating behaviour I soack cotton strips with the chemical mixture and put the strips inside the enclosure, so the lemurs can smell the odour (but avoid it if they find it unpleasent).

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ohmymymyohohmy t1_iqmgokq wrote

Do you see any positive steps towards lemurs and the people of Madagascar living side by side? The poverty there must make the demand for land great. Are there ways for people to make a living while lemurs live in the same are? Or do lemurs need habitat that is has no human land use ?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmqed2 wrote

Lemurs are under threat mainly from the illegal burning of their habitat by people for conversion to rice plantations.

75% of the population around Lac Alaotra rely on fishing and weaving products as their main source of income. A healthy marshland leads to healthy fish stocks and a
self-sustaining growth of vegetation, both directly benefitting the
local community and economy.

However, there are several projects led by the international network of zoos and NGOs focused on the protection of this endangered species of lemurs and their habitat.

I think that we are heading to the right direction, working on education programmes with local communities and supporting eco-tourisms (which is the primary way for people to make a living while lemurs inhabit the same area). Nevertheless, the situation is really bad and we must act immediately if we want to help people and save animals.

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az22hctac t1_iqmhp83 wrote

To what extent does your work ensure there is adequate habitat to return them to (ie do you ensure you don’t bread animals that will have to stay in captivity because there isn’t a habitat to release them into (that is t under threat, or has an existing population that could get displaced etc)? Also are there any restriction or protections to ensure they don’t end up in zoos, safari parks etc?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmn5tb wrote

I work with lemurs in captivity and do not know whether these individuals
will be reintroduced in Madagascar (depending on feasibility in terms of
habitat protection, monitoring, safeguard etc -activities mainly coordinated by
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust – Jersey Zoo).
The international agreement between governments CITES (Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to
ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does
not threaten the survival of the species. Most animals that can now be observed
in zoos are captive born and bred.

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elouise84 t1_iqmka79 wrote

Do you visit the lemurs at Dudley zoo as part of your research?

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YogiBarelyThere t1_iqmi3kc wrote

How much of the Gentle Lemur's habitat remain untouched?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmo6nt wrote

Lake Alaotra and its surronding marshland is a rich habitat for wildlife, but also very much threatened wetland habitat due to its location in the middle of an important rice-growing region. We are currently unsure about the percentage of untouched habitat, but bear in mind that at national level it is estimated that almost 90% of forest is lost.

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iConSci t1_iqml4gi wrote

Hi Marie, thanks for doing an AMA. Could you give us some insight on how you can collect the data you need using non-invasive methods?

What are your thoughts on the long term sustainability of conservation programs that focus on endangered species with no "good/healthy" habitat for reintroduction? Do you think a possible solution is to involve humans native to the lemur's habitat in order to foster guardianship-like relationships with nature and wildlife?

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nzgrl74 t1_iqmnd1k wrote

Just curious to know if the viability of releasing animals such as these into other similar habitats (forests in another country perhaps) has ever been explored or are ecosystem at equilibrium too fragile for such efforts?

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onlycrazypeoplesmile t1_iqmner1 wrote

Are lemurs okay to have as pets? If so, what requirements do they need?

I don't want to own one, I'm genuinely curious.

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmzokc wrote

No, lemurs are not suitable as pets. For example in Europe it is illegal.

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vctrlzzr420 t1_iqmsnhc wrote

I always have been good with animals, in your work with them do you find they take better to some people than others? Also can you comment on why madagascar has such unique wildlife? Was it natural selection/ mutation? Or was it that animals and plants thrive and possibly migrated there until it was unique to the island? I understand it may be neither, just curious.

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Cavellian t1_iqmvdwj wrote

What advice do you have for someone who wants to switch into primatology after working in healthcare?

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mujikaro t1_iqmysc8 wrote

Hi Dr Fontani,

you said the gentle lemurs are active day and night - in that case how does sleep work for them? When do they sleep? How much sleep do they need? Do they have a circadian rhythm equivalent to ours?

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Throwawaybaby09876 t1_iqmq4t8 wrote

I was surprised (pleasantly) to see the lemur exhibit when I visited Skansen in Stockholm.

They had numerous adorable lemurs in a large room that guests could walk through on a boardwalks and get quite close to the animals.

If one was stupid it would have been easy to touch them.

Have you been there? What do you think about that exhibit?

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IAmAModBot t1_iqmd7l1 wrote

For more AMAs on this topic, subscribe to r/IAmA_Science, and check out our other topic-specific AMA subreddits here.

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k0rda t1_iqmpwlb wrote

Is it true that lemurs like to "move it, move it"?

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UniversityofBath OP t1_iqmrixp wrote

No! They are very different from you see in the movie ;-)

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k0rda t1_iqmrpwu wrote

I never expected an expert reply to such a silly comment!

Thank you!

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fsm888 t1_iqmwk7q wrote

Do you work with anthropologist or offer internships? Are they in a grad program?

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The_frogs_Scream t1_iqmzbsn wrote

Hi there, what are some ideas for places with paid internships for US based BS Zoology majors?

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jaded_elephantbreath t1_iqn3b7p wrote

Are they squirrelly around humans, do they interact with you st all?

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Emperor_Triceratops t1_iqn3ois wrote

Why are lemurs not monkeys? What I mean is: what about lemurs makes them different enough from monkeys that they belong on their own branch of the primate family tree?

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MoopooianLuver t1_iqntcpq wrote

Can lemurs be reproduced through a USA program on one of the environments possible conducive to lemurs?

Hypothetically speaking? Or not! I am a human of action.

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MoopooianLuver t1_iqntnj9 wrote

In other words, could a US University that already has a “primate sanctuary” complete (I believe) with all the bamboo & protections.

Just thinking about breeding assistance along with conservation education????

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CuriousWeeb6942 t1_iqoi7jv wrote

Why did lemurs only evolve in madagascar? Who was the common ancestor that lemurs evolved from?

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EVU29 t1_iqopgq5 wrote

Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?

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Mr_Gaslight t1_iqpduf9 wrote

Captain Picard nearly turned into a lemur in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. What advice would have been helpful to him?

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Arctic_fucks t1_iqpq8p4 wrote

Are Lemurs able to distinguish right and wrong? Would they be a decent bank robbery accomplice?

OR

Do I need to go to the penguins for this?

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ThePhantomPhreaque t1_iqpyuqp wrote

Have you ever worked with Dr. Lehman from the University of Toronto?

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wheniwakup t1_iqqgd7g wrote

Why should we care about lemurs?

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CalypsoTheKitty t1_iqqk7kk wrote

What, if anything, does Marie Curie have to do with animal/wildlife research?

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santathe1 t1_iqqms8i wrote

Is King Julien actually the king of Lemurs?

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morgansquirrel t1_iqteb8c wrote

Hi sorry, hope I’m not late, if I am I’ll email you. Just one quick question. Do these lemurs mate for life, or do they mate with multiple partners throughout their lives??

Thank you for hosting such an interesting AMA 🥰

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hgbeard t1_ir4fsej wrote

Do you get to stroke them?

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sadowsentry t1_iqn82uc wrote

What are your thoughts on the same people who've done such awful things to the humans of Africa going through great lengths to preserve the animals?

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tjamos8694 t1_iqo58zw wrote

What makes lemurs good animals for closer human interaction in captivity?

I’ve been to Cotswold wildlife park where you are able to walk through the lemur enclosure with them, and then also to hoo farm in Telford where you’re able to feed them.

Are these practices something you agree with or is it too much interference?

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BenjaminHamnett t1_iqmu1us wrote

Are those lemurs that look like people people?

If all the other primates disappeared his long until lemurs can get back to the moon?

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silashoulder t1_iqmwejr wrote

I’m a sex and relationships consultant, and I’d like to ask: do lemurs exhibit the same (or similar) sex-as-recreation behaviors as bonobos and humans?—masturbation, prostitution, homosexuality, group sex, etc.

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