Falina Razafimamonjy
Student Researcher—Namoroka Site
Falina is an early career conservationist and wildlife researcher. She has gained field research experience in Ankarafantsika National Park, collecting data and evaluating the effects of fire on the abundance and behavior of Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). She is also passionate about environmental education and wants to promote systems where both humans and nature can thrive. With this in mind, she and some colleagues founded Tany Ketsa, a women-led organization devoted to environmental conservation education among children. Furthermore, she participates in Voices for Nature, an advocacy association to raise awareness among Malagasy people about the importance of preserving Malagasy biodiversity.
Falina is working on her Master’s degree in the Department of Biological Anthropology and Sustainable Development, specializing in primatology.
Q&A with Falina
What draws you to a career in wildlife conservation?
Even though I lived near Ranomafana National Park when I was young, I did not care about biodiversity conservation; I didn’t even know the importance of protecting it. Once I began my education in natural sciences at the University of Antananarivo, I then became concerned and wanted to be involved in protecting the environment. Later, my volunteering experiences encouraged me to take the initiative for positive changes, and then pursuing my studies in Biological Anthropology and Evolution allowed me to focus more on applied conservation.
What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had in your work?
One of my most memorable experiences was celebrating International Chameleon Day at the Ambohidroa II primary school in Antananarivo, in collaboration with the Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation and Wildlife Madagascar. Tany Ketsa led an educational session on biodiversity at the school. We taught the students about the chameleons of Andasibe and their secretive lives. During the celebration, we organized a quiz, and I was amazed by the positive results, giving me hope and convincing me that our work is making a difference. Children learn quickly, and through them, we can promote knowledge of Madagascar’s biodiversity.
Who or what inspires you?
I think all of my professors from Biological Anthropology and Sustainable Development inspired me, most especially Dr. Freddy Ranaivoarisoa. We had a course with him during our third year, and he taught us that if we want to protect lemurs and their habitats, we must combine education and local development—challenging work because of conflicts but not impossible. He always reiterated that all of us had the potential to make an effective impact, we just needed the courage to do it and act. He is a great mentor and is always there to support his students and motivate us to improve our skills. Because of him, I want to continue my education and promote Madagascar biodiversity conservation and sustainable development for local communities..
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.”
What is you favorite food?
I really like rambon’omby sy voanjo (zebu tail and legumes).
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
I want to visit Iceland to admire its sunsets. The students at the University of Iceland explained to me that at this time of year, the sun never completely disappears. It sinks to the horizon and then slowly rises again, offering a unique and fascinating phenomenon to observe. I’d also like to have the chance to witness another extraordinary natural phenomenon: the Northern Lights.
Besides lemurs, what is one of your favorite animals, and why?
I love Uroplatus (leaf-tailed geckos) simply because they’re hard to spot, which makes the search even more exciting. It’s fascinating to see how they camouflage themselves, and without careful observation, it’s almost impossible to find them. The joy of finding them after a long search is indescribable: it’s a wonderful reward.
Why do you care about Madagascar and its wildlife?
We can’t protect something if we don’t know its value. Madagascar has an incredible biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, many Malagasy people do not know how amazing our island is. My biggest dream is that children have the opportunity to learn about how amazing our biodiversity is, an opportunity that I did not have when I was young. I am convinced that if Malagasy people knew the importance of biodiversity from a young age, they would easily and willingly protect it and be proud of their amazing natural heritage.