Meet our Prolemur simus supervisor, Theoluc!
The KAFS team would like to introduce Theoluc. Theoluc is the supervisor of the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) team, focusing on Prolemur populations in Sangasanga and Vatovavy forest fragments. Theoluc also coordinates activities for the Prolemur project in other areas, like Ambodibonary, Manasa, Ambatoloaka, Ambatomizaka and Vohiboay.
Theoluc grew up in Ambalahosy Sud where he attended primary school (EPP). He continued his education at CEG Kianjavato. After completing CEG, he joined the Lycée Mananjary high school to prepare for the Baccalaureat. Unfortunately, Theoluc’s Dad passed away just before he started at Lycée Manajary, which forced him to return to Ambalahosy Sud, as Theoluc no longer had the financial support to attend Lycee Manajary. Theoluc is the eldest of four children, and the passing of his father meant that Theoluc had to help his mother support the rest of the family.
Even as a child, Theoluc was passionate about the environment and wildlife. While growing up, Theoluc spent his weekends in the field with his dad planting fruits, rice, bananas and other crops. During these outings, he found enjoyment in seeing the greater bamboo lemurs in areas surrounding their fields. Theoluc’s Dad shared knowledge with him about agriculture and the forests too. Theoluc also spent school holidays in the fields, giving him a greater appreciation for agricultural practices as well as greater respect for the natural forest. These experiences enhanced Theoluc’s interest in lemurs, amphibians, reptiles and for all the creatures that occupy the forest.
The Kianjavato Ahmanson Field Station (KAFS) was established in 2009. At the time, Dadalioka was the only guide working along with Dr. Louis. It was during this time that Dadalioka received a message that KAFS needed to hire more team members for the lemur monitoring program. Dadalioka created a job posting and Theoluc applied for this position. After interviewing, Theoluc was hired and joined the KAFS team in May 2009.
Theoluc didn’t speak English when he started working with us, but he had a little bit of experience from when he was a student at Lycée Mananjary, though English still proved difficult because French was the main language he was exposed to during his former education.
This all changed in 2010 when Theoluc met Olly and Mary, who were some of KAFS’ first volunteers. They stayed at KAFS for nine months, which offered Theoluc some exposure to English. Following Olly and Mary came Eloise and Ailsa, then several other English-speaking volunteers, all of whom really helped Theoluc improve his skills. Theoluc’s English improved more and more as he continued to interact with volunteers. Theoluc is very grateful to all the volunteers who helped him learn English, and he continues to learn English today.
Theoluc is thankful for the trust that Dr. Louis and Cynthia have shown him over the years and the support they give him in his position as supervisor of the Prolemur Project since 2018. Theoluc has many responsibilities at KAFS which include coordinating activities for the Prolemur simus team, performing as a tourist guide, helping the NGO Conservation Fusion with their Conservation Camp, and data entry. Theoluc is an expert on Prolemur simus but has a passion for other lemurs, too. Theoluc is also thankful for Dr. Russ Mitermeier who gifted Theoluc the book Lemurs of Madagascar. Theoluc learned a lot from Lemurs of Madagascar, but he also made his own contributions to our scientific understanding to the nine species of lemur that inhabit the area surrounding Kianjavato and other lemur species around Madagascar.
Theoluc has had many roles in his 14 years with KAFS, which are summarized below:
June 2009 – August 2009: Temporary Simus guide.
- Worked directly with Dadalioka following Prolemur simus in the Sangasanga and Vatovavy locations.
September 2009 – May 2010: Worked directly with reforestation PhD student (MANJARIBE Christophe)
- Worked with reforestation team.
- Collecting and planting seeds from several field sites. Collection of seeds from fecal samples of the highly endangered black and white ruffed lemurs and red bellied lemurs to grow native forest tree species.
- Training of students and community members in tree planting.
May 2010 – September 2018: Prolemur simus guide:
- Responsible for finding five habituated groups of Prolemur simus using radio tracking and documenting behavioral observations on each group for a long-term behavioral study.
- Responsible for collecting census data and tracking population dynamics in the forest.
- Performed reconnaissance in other sites looking for Prolemur simus.
- Collection of fecal and urine samples in the field from Prolemur simus.
- Assisting chemical immobilization team in both the administration of chemical immobilization drugs and collaring the chemically immobilized individuals.
- Training volunteers in the collection and documentation of behavioral data of Prolemur simus.
- Visiting elementary school kids for outreach to educate them in conservation, especially during Conservation Camp.
- Giving tours in Sangasanga to show lemurs and Madagascar wildlife to tourists, students and officials.
October 2018-Present: Prolemur simus Supervisor
- Team Management
- Scheduling; Employee and volunteer training in Prolemur simus tracking, data collection and management.
- Data entry of behavioral information and GPS locations of Prolemur simus.
- Managing the maintenance of field equipment including radio telemetry equipment and GPS units, and department laptop.
- Manage and coordinate the long-term behavioral study of Prolemur simus; population census, monitoring, behavioral observations and the collection of phenological data.
- Knowledge of the flora and botany concerning Prolemur simus.
Theoluc has a passion for orchids and he shows most tourists these plants when visiting Sangasanga. Several years ago, Theoluc also played a crucial role helping the BBC and IMAX Productions film scenes for their documentaries.
Theoluc is also thankful for Dr. Ando, as she has generously shared some experiences with Theoluc and the Prolemur team in habituating Prolemur simus to the team’s presence in Vatovavy. Recently, Dr. Ando also taught the team how to use an iPad to enter data while in the field.
Theoluc is thankful for the MBP students who have joined us over the years and have shared their knowledge of the forest and the lemurs with him and other guides as well.
Theoluc’s dream is that the fragmented areas of forest are allowed to recover and expand so each isolated population of Prolemur simus can move freely between the three isolated areas of Tsitola, Sangasanga and Vatovavy. He also wishes to guide tourists to see the greater bamboo lemurs in Vatovavy and Tsitola in the future.
Theoluc reflected on the time he spent with two former colleagues, Dadalioka and Rasolo, who passed away in recent years. Dadalioka made huge efforts and was crucial in the protection of Sangasanga. Rasolo also contributed in the protection of the Sangasanga and Ambodibonary territories for Prolemur simus. Rasolo is an expert in coffee and shared his knowledge with the Prolemur team. Dadalioka and Rasolo are amazing people and we always think about them and their dedication over the years to protect the wildlife in Kianjavato and the area surrounding it.
Theoluc hopes that more tourists visit KAFS and hopes for the sustainability of KAFS along with the cooperation of the community in protecting the lemurs surrounding Kianjavato.
Lastly, but certainly not least, Theoluc is a proud father to two kids, one boy who is eight years old and one girl who just turned one. As a father, Theoluc hopes to support them through university.
