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What support do I receive?
The team will lead you through the orientation process when you arrive in Madagascar , giving you an introduction to primates, their care and conservation, and will give you a solid grounding in the work to be done over the next eight weeks. A team of Malagasy staff travel and work with our volunteers at all times, primarily to ensure that the group is safe, but also as co-workers and to offer advice on Malagasy culture, facilitating communication and positive interaction with the local communities.
This ensures that our volunteers have full support and encouragement to understand and appreciate the very different culture and environment that Lemur Venture will take you into.
A satellite telephone travels with the volunteers at all times to ensure effective communication in times of need.
Eligibility
As long as you are enthusiastic, feel you could make a real contribution to the program, enjoy working outdoors and as part of a team, and are prepared to work long hours, you are perfect for this project. This project is open to volunteers of all nationalities, although, we do ask that individuals should be able to speak English. All volunteers must be over 18 but there is no upper age limit. However, you will need to be very fit, healthy and prepared for sometimes hot and humid conditions and demanding physical work.
Qualifications
We envisage that the program will be of particular interest to those wishing to pursue a career in zoology/animal care or who are currently studying for such courses. However, no prior experience in conservation or knowledge of zoology is required, but applicants will be expected to have at least a basic knowledge of ecology and a keen interest in conservation issues.
Proposed Schedule
Please note that this itinerary is an example only. It may be changed to suit conditions in the field.
Day 1: Arrive in Antananarivo . Settle into hotel. First night welcome dinner with local staff.
Days 2 - 5: Volunteers will work in PZBT with mainly English-speaking Malagasy staff, helping with all aspects of the care and management of captive lemurs. This will include feeding, cleaning, nursing, etc. – working alongside the members of the staff from the animal nutrition section of the fauna department. There will occasionally be work to do in the flora department also, for example: when specific data is required by the fauna department for the ongoing nutritional study. You will be taking part in PBZT's latest initiatives geared towards the study and maintenance of lemur populations, aiding its captive breeding programs, and doing practical work such as assisting with feeding and caring for the animals, while being fully briefed on the work of PBZT and how captive breeding aids conservation. During this initial stay in PBZT, all volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the famous and elusive aye-aye, in the specially constructed nocturnal aye-aye house.
Day 6: Transfer to Fort Dauphin : a quick air transfer and a little time to set up in the beautiful lake-side camp at Lake Lanirano before orientation in and around Fort Dauphin .
Days 7 - 10: Orientation: detailed orientation about Madagascar , the Anosy region, local customs, and detailed introduction to the work that you will be doing over the next 7 weeks. Projects are determined in consultation with PBZT staff and will be subject to change. However, field projects are likely to focus on one or more of the following: lemur behavior, feeding ecology, conservation biology, population censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management.
The Following 3 Weeks: These weeks will be spent in the fragmented littoral forests north of Fort Dauphin (Tolagnaro) focusing on lemur species including the collared brown lemur ( Eulemur collaris ), woolly lemur ( Avahi laniger ) and the brown mouse lemur ( Microcebus rufus).
Break: There will be a break consisting of four to five days spent in Lanirano – enabling you to write up your work, mail out letters, send out emails, dining opportunities, shopping, and having a break from the routine of the bush.
The Last Three Weeks: The final three weeks of field work will be spent in the arid spiny desert of the southeast, focusing on sifaka ( Propithecus verreauxi ) and the ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ), known locally as "maki". Other smaller nocturnal species are also present. This is an amazing place of extraordinary beauty, with ancient forests full of wildlife.
Finally : All work will be compiled and sent to PBZT from where it will be distributed to partner institutions around the world.
Start Location
Antananarivo , Madagascar
Finish Location
Fort Dauphin , Madagascar
Project Location
Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is recognized as one of the planet's top conservation priorities. 80% of the island's plant and animal species (including 71 species of lemur) are found nowhere else on Earth.
Volunteers will be working with the staff of PBZT in Antananarivo , Madagascar 's capital, and with Azafady in the Fort Dauphin region of the southeast of the country, an area which has been substantially deforested but retains fragments of some of the most important tropical forests in the world. The work of the project will be concentrated in two forest habitats: the spiny forest, a fascinating habitat unique to Madagascar that supports an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, and the littoral forest which is a highly endangered coastal habitat.
Closest International Airport
Ivato Airport , Antananarivo
Project Activities
This is a very special program offering a unique opportunity to gain valuable conservation skills and experience as well as to make a significant contribution towards helping some of the world's most threatened and remarkable creatures. Volunteers will work closely with trained professionals from local organizations to gain an insight into real grass roots conservation.
Lemur Venture begins with around a week in Madagascar 's capital city Antananarivo . During this time, volunteers will be trained by and work alongside the local organizations before flying to Fort Dauphin . After an initial orientation in Fort Dauphin , volunteers will head out to the field to study wild lemurs and their habitat. Lemur Venture's special focus is on gathering information on several lemur species in order to improve success rates of captive breeding programs both in Madagascar and around the world. Projects are determined in consultation with PBZT staff and are likely to focus on one or more of the following: lemur behavior, feeding ecology, conservation biology, population censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management.
Accommodations
Accommodations while in Antananarivo are within a simple but clean and comfortable hotel. Thereafter, camping facilities are provided throughout the program, although volunteers do need to bring their own tent. Facilities are basic but there will always be latrine and private washing facilities. Electricity and piped water are available when in Fort Dauphin , however in the field, water is collected and then treated from rivers and wells.
Food
All meals are provided for the entire duration of the project. Meals mainly consist of rice, beans, vegetables and fruit. Fish (or eggs for vegetarians) are provided when possible. All meals are prepared and cooked by the group, often in open-air facilities. The best possible treated drinking water is always available.
Health
All volunteers must be vaccinated against Tetanus and Rabies and be taking a World Health Organization recognized malaria prophylaxis in order to participate on the scheme. For other vaccination requirements, consult your current GP or travel clinic.
Visa Requirements
Volunteers will be required to apply for a 90 day visa from their nearest Madagascan Embassy or Consulate.
Likely Weather Conditions
January to March – Hot and humid with rain.
April to July – Drier. Hot in April then growing noticeably cooler
July to September – Dry. Cold in July then growing noticeably warmer
October to December – Windy. Progressively hotter and more wet.
Equipment
An equipment list is provided by our local partnering organization. Key items include a tent, sleeping bag, rucksack, head torch and comprehensive medical kit.
Support & Safety
The team at Parc Tsimbazaza will lead you through the orientation process when you arrive in Madagascar . You will be given an introduction to primates, their care and conservation, and a solid grounding in the work to be done over the next eight weeks. A team of Malagasy staff travel and work with our volunteers at all times, primarily to ensure that the group is safe, but also as co-workers and to offer advice on Malagasy culture, facilitating communication and positive interaction with the local communities.
This ensures that our volunteers receive full support and encouragement to understand and appreciate the very different culture and environment that this particular project will take you into.
English-speaking long-term volunteers based in Fort Dauphin are also there to ensure that all your questions are answered and problems solved.
A satellite telephone travels with the volunteers at all times to ensure effective communication in times of need.
Free Time
You will be expected to work some weekends, so free time will often be at a premium and the study sites are remote so excursions will not often be possible. However, in your time off in Fort Dauphin , there is plenty to explore in the region - the unique wildlife and habitats of Madagascar will be of great interest. Another leisure time option is merely relaxing and surfing on the stunning beaches around Fort Dauphin . Further out, the beautiful coral reefs that surround the island are ideal for snorkeling and diving. |
Major FAQ-Lemur Conservation Program