The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Fellow Dr Jonah Ratsimbazafy was awarded the 2023 Seacology Prize on 9 October 2023 for his passion and dedication to protecting the endangered lemurs and other threatened ecosystems and species in Madagascar.

The Seacology Prize honours inspiring men and women from around the world, who have made significant strides in preserving island environments and culture. The honour comes with an award of USD 10,000 and a trip to the United States for a public award ceremony in October.

Dr Ratsimbazafy is a Malagasy primatologist and conservationist. He is the president of the Groupe d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), an organization that advocates for the protection of Madagascar’s lemurs and other wildlife.

He leads a team of 20 Malagasy staff who work with the community to preserve the last remaining rainforests linking the northern and southern regions of Madagascar. Jonah is also a professor in the University of Antananarivo’s paleontology and anthropology department and vice co-chair of the Primate Specialist Group - Madagascar section of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission.

Dr Ratsimbazafy’s research contributes to the body of knowledge about lemurs, providing information necessary for effective management. He is also an outspoken proponent of policies that will save Madagascar’s lemurs.  

For more information on the 2023 prize ceremony click here.