Diary Randriamora
Student Researcher—Anjanaharibe-Sud Site
Diary is passionate about Madagascar’s biodiversity, and since 2017, she has conducted fieldwork throughout many regions around the country, experiences that have allowed her to develop her technical and relational skills. She has approximately eight years of conservation and research experience, and for her Master’s project, she evaluated the ecological characterization of woody plants and their mortality in Tsimanampetsotsa National Park in southwestern Madagascar. Diary received an MSc in Environmental Management from the Institut d’Enseignement Supérieur d’Antsirabe Vakinankaratra in Madagascar.
Other notable research Diary has worked on includes conducting an extensive fauna and flora inventory in the Maromizaha Natural Resource Reserve, and consulting on a lemur ecological monitoring program for the New Protected Area of Amoron’i Onilahy. She also served as the Reforestation Manager for Association Coeur de Foret Madagascar in Antalaha, a position she held for two years.
In May 2023, she was selected to be a STEM Field Assistant through the National Geographic Society, in collaboration with the Dr. Onja Razafindratsima lab at UC Berkeley, assisting on fieldwork to study lemur ecology and lemur interactions with plants.
Q&A with Diary
What draws you to a career in wildlife conservation?
I have seen habitat degradation and loss, logging and mining, and even hunting, in nearly every region of Madagascar. With the number of threatened species continuing to increase annually, I find myself questioning whether there are more effective conservation strategies that could be implemented locally, regionally, and nationally, which led me to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had in your work?
When I was in Ranomafana National Park, I had the opportunity to participate in a series of lemur health assessments with a wildlife veterinarian, and was privileged to be able to interact with three different lemur species (black and white ruffed lemur, red-bellied lemur, and red-fronted lemur) following their health exams.
Who or what inspires you?
My mentor Dr. Onja Razafindratsima, who is dedicated to lemur conservation and research, inspires me a lot.
Is there a book that has influenced you or made a strong impression?
The fifth edition of Lemurs of Madagascar made a strong impression to me because it is incredibly comprehensive, providing detailed information about the origins, life history, behavior, ecology, and conservation of Madagascar’s lemur species.
What is you favorite food?
My favorite food is cassava leaves with coconut, pork, and of course, rice.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
There are so many places I would love to travel to! I would go to Mexico to see monkeys. I would go to China to see pandas and experience the culture. I would travel to India and South Africa to see their biodiversity. Finally, I would go to the U.S. to see those celebrities and actors!
Besides lemurs, what is one of your favorite animals, and why?
I am a cat lover; they provide affection and anti-stress.
Why do you care about Madagascar and its wildlife?
I care about Madagascar’s wildlife because I am Malagasy! Madagascar’s endemic biodiversity and iconic lemur species are threatened with extinction, so it is imperative that we take action to protect them for all future generations.