DANTAisms

Dr. Marni LaFleur is an animal advocate and conservation enthusiast! Marni is a member of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, and is the founder and co-director of Lemur Love, Inc. (USA 501(c)(3)), a small non-profit organization working to protect ring-tailed lemurs and their habitats in southwestern Madagascar. Marni’s research focuses on the evolution of the lemur traits (female dominance, reduced basal metabolic rates, synchronized reproduction, etc.), the effects of habitat and climate change on lemur ecology, and most recently, the illegal pet and bushmeat trades in Madagascar. Through Lemur Love, Marni works closely with the Reniala Lemur Rescue Center, to care for and rehabilitate confiscated wild-caught ring-tailed lemurs.

Marni is an adjunct professor at the University of California San Diego, where she teaches in the Department of Anthropology. Marni has also taught field courses with DANTA on primate behavior and conservation. Marni’s background is in Biology (B.Sc., M.Sc., University of Victoria, Canada), Anthropology (Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, USA), and Veterinary Sciences (Post-doctoral Research Scientist, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria).

On her off time, Marni is an avid crafter and aspiring cat lady, which really go hand in hand.