Lemur Freedom Project
The Lemur Freedom Project (LFP) is a new conservation entity developed through the combined experience of The Sloth Institute, Mad Dog Initiative, Lemur Conservation Foundation, and TDARFAC —with on-the-ground partnership from the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI).
Drawing on years of applied conservation, veterinary medicine, and animal rehabilitation expertise, these founding organizations have come together to establish Madagascar’s first coordinated network for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of lemurs impacted by the illegal pet trade.
Mission
The Lemur Freedom Project is dedicated to giving lemurs a second chance at freedom. By combining field research, welfare-based rehabilitation, and Malagasy-led conservation, the project works to rescue lemurs from illegal captivity, restore their health and natural behaviors, and—whenever possible—return them to safe habitats in their geographical area of origin.
Nosy Kisimany Sanctuary
Central to the initiative is Nosy Kisimany, a small island off Madagascar’s northwest coast that will serve as a permanent sanctuary for rescued lemurs who cannot be reintroduced into the wild. The site will provide a natural, semi-wild environment where lemurs can live freely under the care of trained Malagasy professionals.
MRCI is leading the efforts to secure land approval and governmental authorization for the Nosy Kisimany sanctuary. This process includes coordination with local communities and environmental authorities to ensure the site’s long-term protection and sustainable management.
Planned features of the sanctuary include:
Veterinary and quarantine facilities for newly rescued lemurs
On-site housing and training for local staff and veterinarians
Community education and engagement programs promoting coexistence and wildlife protection
National Triage & Rehabilitation Network
To complement the island sanctuary, our long-term, vision is to establish a centralized triage and rehabilitation center near Ivato, Antananarivo. This facility will provide emergency veterinary care for confiscated lemurs, coordinate transport logistics, and serve as a national training hub for Malagasy conservation professionals.
A Shared Vision
As a new entity grounded in the experience of its founding organizations, the Lemur Freedom Project represents a united, forward-looking approach to lemur conservation. Together, weI are building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to ensure that no lemur is kept as a pet—and that every rescued individual has the opportunity to live safely and freely, either in the wild or within the protected sanctuary of Nosy Kisimany.
