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Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP)

By on January 20, 2015

Madagascar Biodiversity Paternship log

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership

What We Do

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership Dr. Louis, Shelia Holmes and Varecia_ HHamilton

Dr. Louis and Sheila Holmes collecting data from a lemur.

At Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP) we work with communities on comprehensive research and conservation programming.

MBP was founded in 2010 by Dr. Edward E. Louis Jr., Director of Conservation Genetics at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) who has been working in Madagascar since 1998. Here at MBP we strive to protect local forests for the lemurs while sustainably raising the standard of living for communities who are equally reliant upon the natural resources. Believing that everything is connected, or “Mampifandray ny tontolo”, MBP incorporates research, education and community involvement to achieve sustainability.

How We Protect Lemurs And Other Wildlife

Research and Lemur Monitoring

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership Baby Lepilemur septentrionalis_EE Louis Jr

A baby Lepilemur septentrionalis being examined.

At MBP we have pioneering research on the northern sportive lemurs, whose populations are incredibly small (less than 50 individuals remaining) and who cannot be kept in captivity. In addition, and together with the Malagasy government, we have helped re-establish the diademed sifaka and the black-and-white ruffed lemur to their historical ranges in the Analamazoatra Special Reserve.These populations are now monitored by our team year-round. Finally, we use radio collars and other innovative technology to track lemur populations; this helps increase understanding of how different species use different types of habitat and how conservation programs can effectively protect lemurs in the future.

Reforesting Habitat

We are proud to help lead reforestation efforts in Madagascar, and undertake programming in west (Andasibe, Kianjavato) and southern Madagascar (Lavavolo). We also undertake reforestation initiatives in the areas where it is working to distribute fuel-efficient cook stoves in northern Madagascar.

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership Nore teaching planting techniques_HHamilton

Teaching planting techniques in rural Madagascar.

Our largest reforestation programming is based in Kianjavato and is called the Education Promoting Reforestation Project (EPRP). This program’s success is based on the fact that seeds which have passed through a lemur’s intestinal tract grow better than seeds that haven’t. By collecting the seeds in lemur poop, we’ve been able to plant over 6 million trees!

This program, and the associated community education and outreach efforts, have been so successful that they were featured on National Public Radio in the United States and in other media outlets worldwide.

What Lemur Species We Protect

MBP works across the country to support research and outreach related to several different lemur species, including:

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership Prolemur simus eating bamboo_ BEnyart

Prolemur simus eating some bamboo.

  • Aye aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
  • Black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata)
  • Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)
  • Diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema)
  • Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus
  • Northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)
  • Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

How We Support Local Communities

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership Member of Single mothers Club planting trees_HHamilton

A member of Single Mothers Club planting trees.

Madagascar has a young and growing population that is increasingly reliant upon the country’s dwindling natural resources. Despite the precarious conditions, there is room for hope. The MBP has initiated multiple community-based conservation efforts and development plans designed to rebalance the relationship between people and the ecosystem; many of our community outreach efforts are conducted together with Conservation Fusion.

Fuel-efficient cook stoves

In partnership with the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and with Conservation Fusion, MBP is undertaking work to reduce the use of charcoal in some areas of Madagascar. Charcoal production, which causes large areas of forest to be cut down in Madagascar and is often unsustainable, is a big threat to lemur populations. We have distributed over 100 fuel-efficient cooking stoves and supplements these with hands-on education programs and reforestation initiatives.

Aquaponics development

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production method that combines techniques used to raise fish for food and hydroponics methods for growing plants in liquid mediums. Properly balanced aquaponics systems can provide large amounts of food, which is important in areas of Madagascar where families are food insecure, meaning, in areas where families do not have access to the food that they need, when they need it. We’ve partnered with a Omaha-based aquaponics nonprofit to undertake pilot programs which will help fine-tune the implementation of this type of equipment on-the-ground in Madagascar.

Capacity building

Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership EPP Kianjavato students with trees_HHamilton

Students from the Kianjavato public school students with trees.

As part of our ongoing research programs, over 50 Malagasy doctorate and graduate students, 30 Malagasy undergraduate students, and 10 international students have received considerable training in research methods and conservation paradigms. For example, through the MBP’s role in helping to re-establish lemur populations in the Analamazoatra Special Reserve, students and local communities have received training on how to monitor these new populations and how re-establishment programs must be designed in order to be successful.

In addition, we support 80+ full-time Malagasy employees as field assistants, project supervisors, office employees, and supporting staff members.

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German Primate Center

By on January 20, 2015

DPZ_Logo_small

German Primate Center

What We Do

The Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit of the German Primate Center has been operating a field station in Kirindy Forest/CNFEREF near Morondava since 1993. We study the behavior, ecology and biodiversity of lemurs, but also of other vertebrates at our study site in Madagascar.

About the DPZ Field Station

The DPZ field station is principally available for external users, but members of the DPZ and students of the University of Göttingen have priority of access to the limited number of available slots. Interested external users will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis; projects dealing with botanical questions or animals other than mammals will be given priority.

Interested parties should communicate their interest in working in Kirindy at least 6 months ahead of time to Prof. Dr. Peter Kappeler.

What Lemur Species We Study

Fat-tailed dwarf lemur father and son. Photo: David Haring.

We are studying the behavior and ecology of 8 sympatric lemur species at Kirindy:

  • Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi)
  • Red-fronted Lemur (Eulemur rufifrons)
  • Red-tailed Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus)
  • Pale Fork-marked Lemur (Phaner pallescens)
  • Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)
  • Coquerel’s Giant Mouse Lemur (Mirza coquereli)
  • Gray Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus)
  • Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus berthae)

Research

Video on DW News

Professor Peter Kappeler from the German Primate Center and his team conduct research into the primates in the Kirindy reserve. The scientists are also looking into the behavioral patterns of the lemurs to see what impact the changes are having.

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University of Toronto

By on January 20, 2015

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University of Toronto: Tropical Research in Edge Effects (TREE)

What We Do

The longitudinal research objective that we pursue is to integrate evolutionary ecology and conservation biogeography to model primate responses to anthropogenic disturbances. The specific aim of our research program is to determine how forest loss, forest fragmentation, and forest edges influence the lemur ecology in Madagascar.

A coquerel’s sifaka in Ankarafantsika National Park in Madagascar. Photo: Lynne Venart.

What Lemur Species We Study

Most of our research is in the tropical dry forests in and around Ankarafantsika National Park in north-west Madagascar, where we study:

  • Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli)
  • Grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)
  • Golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis)
  • Common brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus fulvus)
  • Mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz)
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GERP: Groupe d’étude et de recherche sur les primates de Madagascar

By on January 14, 2015

GERP Logo

GERP: Groupe d’étude et de recherche sur les primates de Madagascar

What We Do

GERP connect Malagasy scientists united in saving lemurs.

GERP connects Malagasy scientists united in saving lemurs.

Groupe d’étude et de recherche (GERP) connects scientists in Madagascar with the international community to help build in-country capacity for lemur conservation.

Established in 1994 by the Department of Biological Anthropology and Paleontology and Department of Animal Biology of the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar), its headquarters are located right on the university campus, in the center of the capital city. Notably, GERP took over management of the Maromizaha forest in 2008.

How We Protect Lemurs And Other Wildlife

GERP provides a real opportunity for Malagasy university students to connect with foreign researchers.

GERP provides a real opportunity for Malagasy university students to connect with foreign researchers.

We focus on the scientific study of lemurs, including the study of their geographical distribution, the implementation of conservation plans, and participation in the discovery of new species. We also translocate animals weakened by the destruction of their habitat to protected areas and zoos.

Since 2008, GERP has been managing the Maromizaha forest in eastern Madagascar. This 1880 hectare forest is home to important wildlife but local villagers continue to extract resources from the park to meet their needs. For this reason, GERP’s responsibilities include patrolling the park, increasing enforcement, undertaking reforestation programming, and working to increase awareness in the region about alternative livelihoods and the value of nature.

What Lemur Species We Protect

GERP is best known for having played a key role in discovering three new species of lemurs:

  • Madame Berthe lemur (Microcebus berthae)
  • MacArthur’s mouse lemur (Microcebus macarthurii)
  • Gerp’s mouse lemur (Microcebus gerpi)

They also actively work in regions that protect several other lemur species, including:

  • Eastern woolly lemur (Avahi laniger)
  • Indri (Indri indri)
  • Diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema)
  • Common brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus)
  • Red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer)
  • Eastern lesser bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus)
  • Black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)

How We Support Local Communities

Education

2014 World Lemur Festival in Antananarivo, Madagascar

2014 World Lemur Festival in Antananarivo, Madagascar

By connecting scientists in Madagascar with international research groups, GERP is building the capacity of local community associations, as well as primary and higher education systems here. This will help increase the in-country capabilities to conserve endangered lemur populations.

In the villages surrounding the Maromizaha forest, we at GERP have donated hundreds of school uniforms to the students who cannot afford them and we have covered the costs of teacher salaries when no funding was available to pay them. Through its ongoing programs in Maromizaha, GERP has been able to offer local primary school students a variety of science educational opportunities, including guided visits into the forest and interactive tree-planting lessons.

World Lemur Festival

GERP was a key organizer of the first World Festival of Lemurs, which raised significant awareness for the plight of endangered lemur populations and engaged communities across the globe in lemur-related activities.

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