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Lemur Conservation Network

By on May 11, 2016

Join our team!

The Lemur Conservation Network is not actively recruiting for specific volunteers right now.

But, if you are interested in working with us, please get in touch by emailing lemurconservationnetwork@gmail.com.

We work best with volunteers who are self starters, passionate about lemur conservation, and want to help. LCN volunteers are active parts of our team, regularly involved in our team meetings, and recognized on our website and social media. All work is completed remotely. We appreciate that volunteers have other obligations — for school, work, and family. We will work with you to develop a project timeline that works for you.

While we typically cannot pay volunteers, there are occasionally small paid projects available once we develop a working relationship. We are happy to provide letters of recommendation, references, and help you in other ways when possible.

Last updated April 16, 2024

Photography

The Lemur Conservation Network is always looking for photographers with photographs of lemurs or Madagascar who will give us permission to share their photos on our website and social media. We always credit the photographer and can include links to your website or social profiles if you like. Photographs can be taken at zoos or in Madagascar. Photographs of other animal or plant species that are unique to Madagascar are also welcome.

Science Communications

If you would like to get more experience with science communications, the Lemur Conservation Network is a great place to volunteer! We welcome volunteers who are interested in social media, long form writing, and website maintenance to get in touch.

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Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership

By on February 12, 2015

Madagascar Biodiversity Paternship logThe Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership’s Kianjavato Volunteer Program looks for brave volunteers to travel into the steamy Kianjavato environment on a quest of learning more about the lemur species being monitored in the area.

The MBP Volunteer Experience

Length of volunteerism: All volunteer positions require a 12 weeks commitment.

Experience with volunteers: Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership has been hosting volunteers since 2010.

Contact Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership to learn more about the cost and housing for volunteers.

Volunteer Roles

The MBP Kianjavato Volunteer Program looks for brave volunteers to travel into the steamy Kianjavato environment on a quest of learning more about the lemur species being monitored in the area.
In 2010, the MBP started its Kianjavato Volunteer Program, finding four wonderful volunteers to aid in the monitoring of the two lemur species. Two of our volunteers take on the role of monitoring the black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), while two others study the Greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus).
In 2011, with the help of two stellar volunteers who worked closely with local nursery managers to develop effective techniques and skills, we set the groundwork for our reforestation program. Since then, we’ve expanded our volunteer program to include volunteers for Varecia and Prolemur simus Monitoring, and the Reforestation Program. Partnering with the University of Calgary and the University of Antananarivo, the MBP volunteer program has expanded to include monitoring of the Greater Bamboo, the Black-and-white lemurs, and is currently evaluating the need for an Aye aye monitoring program. Volunteers are also now assisting with the commune-wide reforestation effort in Kianjavato.
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SEED Madagascar

By on January 29, 2015

SEED Madagascar works with volunteers on important research and outreach programming in southeast Madagascar.

ACPs by a baobab

The SEED Madagascar Volunteer Experience

Length of volunteerism: Short-term opportunities are available which range from 2 – 10 weeks (available in 2-week increments) in January, April, July and October of each year. In addition, longer-term opportunities (1+ year duration) are available.

Cost: ~$900 (£600) is the minimum donation, plus expenses.

Type of accommodation: Volunteers stay in tents at the SEED Madagascar Conservation campsite, based in the Littoral forests of Sainte Luce, which is a beautiful coastal area holding many endangered species. This campsite is the base of SEED Madagascar’s Conservation Programme, and is where they run research projects and community conservation initiatives including their lobster and lemur projects. SEED Madagascar works with local communities to increase their knowledge of the biodiversity around them, and help to provide alternative sustainable livelihoods to help protect their environment.

Experience with volunteers: SEED Madagascar has been working in Madagascar for over 20 years, and has been facilitating volunteer programs for most of that time.

Volunteer Roles

SEED Madagascar offers short-term volunteering opportunities but also has longer term volunteering opportunities for durations of one year plus. Based in Sainte Luce, our Research Assistants work on the Conservation Programme; collecting data, conducting research and assisting with local community conservation education and eco-tourism training.

Currently, SEED Madagascar’s research focuses on biodiversity, collecting data about species present, their distribution, density, behavior and habitats. The data is then used to better manage forests, support the local community and protect the species concerned. Volunteers also run regular environmental education classes for local children, and assist with English teaching.

SEED Madagascar is happy to organize more formal internships which provide slightly more feedback to the intern as well as a final report; the internship lends itself to those who are joining the team as part of an academic course and particularly those who are aiming to be awarded credits.

More information about SEED Madagascar’s short-term opportunities can be found here, while their longer-term openings are listed here.

 

Azafady volunteer Child jumping Azafady volunteer drawing in conservation club  Azafady volunteer Pirogue Azafady volunteer Azafady volunteer Playing games, conservation club

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Mad Dog Initiative

By on January 15, 2015

Mad Dog Initiative

Mad Dog Initiative volunteers assist a variety of programs targeting feral dogs through outreach, veterinary services and wildlife surveys.

Mad Dog volunteers in Madagascar.

Mad Dog volunteers in Madagascar.

The Mad Dog Iniative Volunteer Experience

Length of volunteerism: 14 to 45 days (May to early July)

Cost: 2990 US Dollars

Included in cost: Airport pick up and drop off at the closest airport, as well as accommodation and three meals per day!

Not included in cost: Flights and the cost of visas (free if staying in the country for 30 days or less) as well as personal purchases including alcoholic beverages and expendables. The cost of immunizations and medications are not covered.

Type of accommodation: While in the field you will be living in a tent in and around small Malagasy villages. You will be able to take part in a number of local ceremonies while you work directly with the people who are hosting you. In the capital at the start and the end of the expedition, you will be housed in a cozy local guest house nestled in the hills of Antananarivo.

Mad Dog volunteers speaking with a local community in Madagascar.

Mad Dog volunteers speaking with a local community in Madagascar.

Volunteer Roles

Mad Dog Initiative works to improve conservation through effective control of domestic/feral dogs and wildlife surveys; teams undertake important spay, neuter, and vaccination programs for feral and community owned dogs that are act as predators of  Madagascar’s endangered animals. In addition, the organization takes adoptable, feral dogs (e.g. habituated dogs, puppies) to a no-kill sanctuary in the capital where dogs receive behavioral training for an hour a day, medical care, and roam on an enclosed stretch of land. Further, they conduct expansive carnivore and lemur surveys to estimate wildlife populations and evaluate the effectiveness of our capture program.

Volunteers are welcome to join the Mad Dog expedition to the heart of Madagascar’s cloud forest – to assist in these monitoring, spay/neuter, and vaccination programs. Volunteers are needed for both the veterinary and the wildlife monitoring teams. When working with the Mad Dog Initiative, you will be living in Malagasy villages and an immersive cultural experience is assured.

Medical Volunteers

Mad Dog team members in Madagascar.

Mad Dog team members in Madagascar.

Medical volunteer activities include: Assessing, diagnosing and treating sick and injured dogs and cats; administering anesthesia; and assisting with – as well as performing – surgical procedures (spays and castrations), vaccination programs. These activities will take place field facilities!

Wildlife Monitoring Volunteers

Wildlife monitoring activities include: Conducting camera trapping of Madagascar’s carnivore community and conducting line transect sampling of lemurs across multiple study sites scattered across the Ranomafana National Park. You will work with a Malagasy research assistant hike throughout the national park to collect these invaluable data and then enter these data into our database at the research center.

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Lemur Rescue Center

By on January 14, 2015

The Lemur Rescue Center at Reniala Reserve welcomes scientists pursuing research, as well as volunteers who want to help with the rehabilitation of formerly captive ring-tailed lemurs.

The Lemur Rescue Center Volunteer Experience

Cost: 35 Euros per day per person

Included in cost: Accommodation, meals, and laundry. To maximize the experience, volunteers must live at the Renaila Reserve.

Not included in cost: Flights from your departure point to the location, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, or other personal items.

Type of accommodation: Accommodation is at the Reniala Reserve. Electricity is limited to 2-3 hours per day.

Experience with volunteers: Has been hosting volunteers since 2003

Sign up to volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering with the Reniala Reserve and the Reniala NGO, please visit their website here.

Volunteer Roles

The Reniala Reserve in Madagascar welcomes scientists and volunteers who wish to pursue research or assist the reserve by volunteering in a specific area. Offering volunteer opportunities since 2003, they have established accommodation and have worked with several researchers to provide access to facilities and study sites.

The Reniala Reserve can also accommodate volunteers to work at the Lemur Rescue Center which rehabilitates formerly captive lemurs!

Read our Member of the Month blog post with Reniala Reserve and the Lemur Rescue Center.

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