For the Love of Lemurs: An Evening with Dr. Patricia Wright
April 26, 2026 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Date: April 26 2026
Time: 5:00pm
Venue: Point Loma
Speaker: Dr. Patricia Wright
Registration link to come
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Dr. Patricia Chapple Wright, one of the world’s leading primatologists and the first woman to receive the prestigious Indianapolis Prize for Animal Conservation. Wright’s pioneering work led to the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur and the creation of Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar—a refuge for endangered lemurs and a global model for community-based conservation. On Sunday 26th, hear her extraordinary story of discovery, determination, and hope as she shares insights from her acclaimed autobiography, For the Love of Lemurs: My Life in the Wilds of Madagascar.
The evening promises a perfect blend of connection and discovery: a welcoming cocktail hour, an illuminating presentation by Dr. Wright, a delicious dinner with dessert, and a personal opportunity to have your book signed. It’s an experience designed to nourish both mind and spirit.
The Book
In For the Love of Lemurs: My Life in the Wilds of Madagascar, Dr. Wright takes readers deep into rainforests where science, grit, and wonder collide. From tracking the elusive greater bamboo lemur to discovering the golden bamboo lemur, Wright’s quest ultimately helps spark the creation of Ranomafana National Park—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stronghold for endangered lemurs. Part adventure memoir, part conservation blueprint, it’s a page-turner about how one person’s persistence can change a species’ fate.
About Dr. Patricia Wright
Dr. Wright is a scientist and a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, NY. She is the inaugural holder of Herrnstein Professor of Conservation Biology Chair. Dr. Wright has received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Award) and four medals of honor from the Malagasy government. She was the first woman to win the Indianapolis Prize for Animal Conservation. Dr. Wright is Founder and Executive Director of Stony Brook University’s Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, and is the Founder and Executive Director of the Centre ValBio, a research and training center in Ranomafana, Madagascar.
After discovering a new species of lemur in 1986, she helped establish its habitat as a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dr. Patricia C. Wright has published over 200 scientific papers, authored four books, and delivered hundreds of lectures at museums, universities, and scientific societies across the United States and Europe. A dedicated mentor, she has guided and hooded over 50 PhDs, many of whom are now leaders in conservation and primatology In 2023, she led a team of young scientists on a bold 30-day expedition to a remote forest previously unknown to the global scientific community. Accompanied by a French film crew, the team ventured into uncharted territory, documenting rare and previously undescribed plants and animals. The documentary Ivohiboro: The Lost Forest, released in 2024, is a film that captures a journey into the unknown, where scientists uncover new species that shed light on the past while providing crucial insights into protecting and restoring these vital landscapes for the future.
Dr. Wright continues to lead cutting-edge research, mentor the next generation of conservationists, and champion the protection of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity. The International Primatological Society awarded her the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 meetings in Madagascar.
