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:
Rice University: Dunham Tropical Ecology and Conservation Group
What We Do
Ranomafana National Park. Photo: Phil Reeks.
We are a group of ecologists interested in tropical ecology and conservation biology. Our work focuses on evolutionary, population, and community ecology and is often applied to conservation issues in tropical rainforests including Madagascar.
We have a strong focus on understanding population and community level consequences of lemurs to anthropogenic change and understanding the role of lemurs in the ecosystem and potential consequences of their loss.
How We Support Local Communities
Capacity Building and Training
We are involved in capacity building in the field of environmental conservation in Madagascar by training Malagasy graduate and undergraduate students through advising, research training, and in-country workshops.
We have also trained several local field technicians in both primatological methods and botanical studies.
Education
Members of our group have also been involved with environmental education in the Ranomafana region.
Harvard University: Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY)
What We Do
There are no greater global concerns than the disappearance and destruction of our planet’s ecosystems and wildlife and the improvement of human health and food security for vulnerable human populations around the world.
MAHERY has focused much of its efforts on the following bodies of research:
the impact of overhunting and terrestrial wildlife declines on food security and nutrition
the impact of fisheries management and marine conservation on food security and nutrition
the use of traditional medicines by local people
the practice of pica and geophagy
barriers to accessing healthcare and adequate nutrition
the role of livestock husbandry in securing adequate nutrition
the role of wildlife hunting and consumption in zoonotic disease transmission
the disease ecology of various infectious diseases (i.e. malaria)
Black and white ruffed lemur in Madagascar. Photo: Arto Hakola.
What Lemur Species We Study
Focal lemur species include:
Indri (Indri indri)
Black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)
Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
White-headed lemur (Eulemur albifrons)
How We Support Local Communities
In each of these research activities, we have collaborated with local organizations and trained American and Malagasy students to understand how to carry out interdisciplinary research. All of our work has always been driven by and embedded in local communities to understand the psychology around illegal wildlife harvesting and to develop a paired vision for future conservation and development.
Since 2004, our team has been actively researching the intersection of environmental health and human health to understand the ways in which ecosystem transformation has downstream effects on human wellbeing. Most of our work has centered on estimating the role of bushmeat hunting in both decimating local wildlife populations (lemurs, carnivores, bats, tenrecs, etc.) and also influencing human nutrition and food security.
The Mad Dog Initiative is working to protect and conserve the biodiversity of Madagascar through a targeted feral and domestic dog spay/neuter, vaccination, removal, and adoption program.
In addition to this targeted program, we are conducting photographic sampling (camera trapping) of carnivore populations and lemur transect sampling to evaluate the effectiveness of this dog control program. Further, we are modeling the interactions between feral and domestic dogs and a host of endemic carnivore and lemur species.
To address the ultimate causes of why dogs go feral in Madagascar and to improve our understanding of the role of dogs in households and villages across Madagascar, we are conducting expansive household surveys and questionnaires.
How We Support Local Communities
Photo credit: Mad Dog Initiative
Our project consists of a number of collaborations among US, Canadian, and Malagasy researchers, students, and veterinarians.
Our research project currently employs:
two Malagasy veterinarians,
one Malagasy veterinarian student,
two Malagasy researchers,
up to four local guides, and
one US field technician.
As the result of our success in promoting and developing consideration for the human treatment and conservation of wildlife, we were awarded with the Virginia McKenna award from Compassionate Conservation and the Born Free organization.
GERP: Groupe d’étude et de recherche sur les primates de Madagascar
What We Do
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.
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
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.
