In Madagascar, Six Lemurs Are Among The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates

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In Madagascar, Six Lemurs Are Among The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates

I met up with an old digital friend today, Dr. Patricia Wright who was featured on the Turkana Basin Institute website, referenced for her work in Madagascar on saving lemurs. Specifically, Dr. Wright was named a Natural World Hero by Natural World Safaris, organizing informed, wildlife adventures worldwide.

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island, located in the Indian Ocean about 1400 miles southeast from Nairobi, or a 3 1/2 hr. plane flight. Having developed largely in isolation, Madagascar is known as one of the world's richest ecosystems. After gaining independence from France in 1960, Madagascar has fallen victim to repeated political instability, several coups including one in 2009, disputed elections and widespread violence.

Once a great source of paddy rice, coffee, vanilla and cloves -- and tourism -- Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world and is highly dependent on foreign aid. Young girls on the island are pressed into having sex with men young and old, and their lives are severely impacted by the Trump administration's abandonment of US AID support for birth control. 

As for the lemurs and Dr. Patricia Wright, who we last wrote about in 2014, their fortunes seem worse than ever. A new report released in November 2017 by the world's greatest experts on primates focused on the plight of 25 of the Earth's most endangered primate species.

Oprah & Ralph Lauren at Lincoln Center | Treasure & Bond in Soho Supports NYC Charities

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Living

Oprah and Ralph

Ralph Lauren, Oprah Winfey Headed to Lincoln Center Stage WWD

Ralph Lauren with Oprah Winfrey at the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards.Photo By Rabbani and Solimene PhotographyOn Oct. 24, Ralph Lauren and Oprah Winfrey will reunite onstage at Lincoln Center for a gala invitation-only event to benefit both The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Winfrey will serve as the host and lead the conversation around the designer, his life and career, much as she does in her interview for ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ special on Ralph Lauren.

Fighting cancer has been a key cause for Lauren for more than two decades. He contributed to the establishment of the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University Medical Center, designed the first logo for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and created the Pink Pony Campaign in 2000. He created the Cancer Center in Harlem in 2003.

Smart Sensuality Philanthropy

Nordstrom Opening Store for Charity in SoHo WWD

Treasure & Bond, a rather British sounding brand owned by Nordstrom, will open in Soho on Friday. While 100 percent of the store’s profits will go to charity, Nordstrom hopes to gain insights into the Manhattan marketplace, where it hopes to open a Norstrom flagship in the near future.

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Renewed Belief that Animals 'Rafted' to Madagascar

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GreenTracker| Scientists believe that new computer models reinforce their argument that the diverse species of Madagascar ‘rafter’ there from southeastern Africa, being swept out to sea on large logs or floating carpets of vegetation during storms.

Scientists now think that the ‘rafting’ theory makes more sense than a land bridge theory, as computers models suggest that ocean currents and prevailing winds around Madagascar were more favorable 50 million years ago. Via National Geographic

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