How do you rediscover a species thought to be extinct, and help protect an entire rainforest at the same time?

In this episode, we explore the remarkable career of Professor Patricia Wright, one of the most influential figures in lemur research and conservation.

Professor Wright is a primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist best known for her groundbreaking work in Madagascar. She rediscovered the greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus), once believed extinct, and discovered a new species, the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus). Her efforts were central to the creation of Ranomafana National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

She also founded Centre ValBio, a leading research and education center focused on biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and community engagement in Madagascar.

In this interview, Professor Wright discusses her career path and major discoveries, including fossil and subfossil lemurs, extinct Malagasy hippos, and Milne-Edwards’s sifakas. She explains what these finds reveal about lemur evolution and extinction, explores how and when humans first arrived on Madagascar, and reflects on the conservation challenges facing lemurs today. Another theme of the conversation is one of the great evolutionary puzzles, how did lemurs first reach Madagascar?

Whether you’re interested in primate evolution, fieldwork in Madagascar, or the role of science in conservation, this episode offers a rare insight into both the biology of lemurs and the human stories behind their discovery and protection.