Jonah Ratsimbazafy

The page is also available in Spanish: Jonah en Español

Jonah grew up on Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa. Jonah first saw lemurs at the zoo in Antananarivo, a city in Madagascar. He liked to watch lemurs because they have hands and fingers a lot like ours. They are also very friendly and very active. Jonah did not know that lemurs are endangered and are only found in Madagascar until he grew up.

Before Jonah began his work, most people from Madagascar thought of lemurs as we think of cats or dogs. lemurs seemed to always be around, and people often kept them as pets. Children were not taught about lemurs in school, but learned about giraffes, tigers and polar bears, "all animals that don't exist in Madagascar." Jonah hopes to change this situation through his work with lemurs.

Now Jonah is studying the lemurs and working to save their habitats. He studies the black and white ruffed lemur, an endangered species. These lemurs live in the rainforests on the eastern part of Madagascar. Jonah is watching how these lemurs behave, where they live and what they eat. Jonah is also telling local people about the lemurs and why they are special. He is trying to stop people from hunting the lemurs for food and from cutting down trees in the forest where the lemurs live. Jonah has a big job ahead of him, but he is working hard to save both the lemurs and their habitat.

Do you have questions for Jonah?
E-mail Jonah to ask him about his work.