Current Students

Field Station: Kianjavato

Yvan

Yvan

PhD Candidate
University of Antananarivo

Bamboo and litchis propagation and impact of the basket making in Kianjavato, Madagascar.
This project establishes bamboo stands where people can sustainably harvest for their construction and artisanal needs (basket-making), reducing pressure on bamboo patches in the forest upon which greater bamboo lemurs rely.

Daniel

Daniel

PhD Candidate
University of Antananarivo

Kianjavato, in southeastern Madagascar, is classified as one of the 30 priority sites for primate conservation. Kianjavato is also a key area for lemur conservation and is a part of the Corridor Fandriana-Vohidrozo (CoFaV). We are using mycorrhiza to improve restoration success of forest species in the Kianjavato forest.

Faranky

Faranky

PhD Candidate
University of Antananarivo

The aye-aye is a solitary nocturnal lemur identified as one of the top 25 most endangered primates in the world. We are studying the social interaction of mother-baby and between adult individuals of this cryptic species to understand his social life and to be able to develop appropriate conservation efforts.

Ando

Ando

PhD Candidate
University of Mahajanga

Building a sustainable future for the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus) in Kianjavato, Madagascar.
This research project examines how to build a sustainable future for greater bamboo lemurs living in Vatovavy forest, Kianjavato, Madagascar. To achieve our goals, we habituated first the species, then recorded their behaviors particularly their feeding behavior, the nutritional value of the plants they consumed, and their habitat structure.

Field Station: Lavavolo

Andrée

Nambinina

PhD Candidate
University of Toliara

Population, ecological requirements and local extinction risk of radiated tortoises in Southwest Madagascar.
Our aim is to determine the population density in the three habitats (dry forest on sandy soil, dry forest on ferruginous soil, calcaerous plateau) of the radiated tortoise and to know the diet and behavior of the species in the natural population. We also identified pressures and threats, as well as their effects on the radiated tortoise population.

Sylvain

Sylvain

PhD Candidate
University of Toliara

Using the ring-tailed lemur population in the Mahafaly Plateau as a tool for the safeguard of the remaining population in their natural habitats and the
biodiversity of the region.

This study identifies the ring-tailed lemur population, their adaptive
lifestyles subject to the influence of various ecological factors, and
the pressures and threats caused by humans by highlighting the population dynamics of the species in a sub-arid bioclimate.

Field Station: Torotorofotsy

Jeannin Nicolas

Jeannin Nicolas

PhD Candidate
University of Mahajanga

Aye-ayes are a top 25 endangered primate that have had limited behavioral research conducted on them. This is largely due to their nocturnal and cryptic nature, making them difficult to study. This research will create a baseline for understanding the ecological requirements of an adult female when she is rearing an infant. Additionally, it will elucidate information on the behavioral development of wild aye-aye young and estimate the interbirth interval of aye-ayes, which can be compared against aye-ayes from other forests. All of this information is critical for guiding conservation initiatives of the species.

Field Station: Montagne des Français

Aubin

Aubin

PhD Candidate
University of Mahajanga

Dynamic study of the forest species and effects of the composting in the reforestation program at Montagne des Français
The object of this work is to improve the reforestation program in Montages des Français and increase the quality of the compost to grow the seedlings in the nursery. This will help the survival of the trees planted in the different forest fragments we are restoring.

Feel free to check out our latest blog posts!

September Volunteers

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Meet our September Volunteers Shannon CANADA I’m Shannon from Ontario, Canada. I have an Undergrad Degree in Environmental Science and took a Post Graduate program in Ecosystem Restoration. For work, I have performed shoreline evaluations and provided restoration techniques for landowners. I have also worked with an at risk turtle species in Ontario and sea turtles in Costa Rica. Currently I am a coastal specialist and planning and regulations assistant at a conservation authority in … Read More

Meet Lahatra, our Malagasy volunteer!

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Introducing Lahatra! Hi! I’m Lahatra from Antananarivo, Madagascar. I’m almost 21. Concerning my study, in December 2022, I got my B.A degree in English for Specific Purposes. I’m excited to be a volunteer at KAFS because I want to experience something new in my life. To get more specific, this opportunity which was given by Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership is like a life-changing for me, I will not only see myself as a volunteer but I … Read More

Meet Our New Volunteer, Brandon!

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Hello everyone, I’m Brandon Quamme, born and raised in the breathtaking state of Montana in the United States. After a period of exploration and extensive traveling, I found my way back to my hometown with a clear vision in mind: to pursue a degree in wildlife biology. Currently, I’m a second-year student at the University of Montana, where I’m majoring in wildlife biology and minoring in climate change studies and wilderness studies. Ever since I … Read More

Meet Our New Volunteer, Anna!

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Meet Our New Volunteer, Anna! Hello everyone! My name is Anna DeGroot. I’m currently a sophomore at Wayne State College in Nebraska, studying Conservation Biology and Environmental Health. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in environmental science. I’ve always loved nature and animals and am passionate about preserving our world’s endangered resources, especially in communities of high impact. I’ve had experience volunteering at my local conservation office, working at … Read More

A Fond Farewell – Peter’s Blog

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Peter’s Final Blog as MBP Volunteer Today is my last day at KAFS. A sad moment as I put the finishing touches to my final blog for MBP. Tomorrow I begin my 10,000km journey northwards to Ireland with a twelve hour drive to Tana with Rico. Harilala is going home for Easter and will accompany us as far as the N7 just past Ranomafana. The last three weeks since St Patrick’s Day have been very … Read More

Cyclones, sifakas and dragonflies – Peter’s Blog

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Peter’s Recount of Cyclone Freddy It’s been an eventful few weeks since my last blog piece. A few weeks! Time is whizzing by. There’s really only one topic I can start with this time. Cyclone Freddy. Before it arrived people were understandably very nervous with the memories of Batsirai in February 2022 still fresh in their minds. Everyone prepared for Freddy’s well heralded arrival. The residents around KAFS strengthened and buttressed their homes. They used … Read More

Settling In – Peter’s Blog

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Peter’s Blog – 1st Feb. 2023 to 18th Feb. 2023 Now that I am here a few weeks I feel that I am settling into the daily routine of life at KAFS. The working week at KAFS begins with the MBP vehicles ferrying staff and materials to where they need to be. When I am part of the seed collection team, I travel in the minibus which picks up staff, including other members of the … Read More

Changing Perspectives – Peter’s Blog

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Peter’s Blog – 16th Jan. 2023 to 31st Jan. 2023 After months of planning, preparation and anticipation, it is very exciting to have arrived in Madagascar. As you can imagine it is a long journey from Derry in the northwest of Ireland to Kianjavato Ahmanson Field Station, both in terms of distance and seasons. I have traveled about 10,000km and from winter to summer. It was snowing gently when I locked my front door to … Read More

MBP Volunteer Reflection

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MBP Volunteer Reflections by Bailey Arnold Madagascar was a little intimidating in the beginning, but it has allowed me to grow in so many ways. I just completed my first semester in college, but this experience has allowed me to stick out from the other students. I am not afraid to go and try new things, in fact I have joined the UNL Women’s Hockey team without any experience. I am not afraid to ask … Read More

Meet our New Volunteer, Peter!

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Meet our Newest Volunteer, Peter!   I am from Derry, a city of about 100,000 inhabitants in the northwest of Ireland. I am currently on a career break from my job as an environmental health officer in the neighbouring county of Donegal.  In my spare time I love cycling and birdwatching and I often combine both in the form of cycle touring holidays. I particularly enjoy visiting islands and have been lucky enough to cycle … Read More

Meet Our New Volunteer, Andreas!

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Hi, my name is Andreas and I come from Denmark. In august 2021 I graduated my education as Animal Keeper, specializing in animals in zoos. I have been working 3 years in a Danish zoo with a great variety of species and there I got a special interest in lemurs. After having graduated I then did a 6-month Erasmus Pro internship in a zoo in The Netherlands. There I spent a lot of my time … Read More

Welcome New Volunteer!

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My name is Julianne and I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. I fell in love with lemurs and primatology as an Education Intern at the Philadelphia Zoo. After my internship, I switched my major to Anthropology and started looking into field schools in Madagascar. Less than a year later, I took my first trip to Madagascar where I studied diademed sifakas in Tsinjoarivo. I met so many amazing people whose work really inspired me to … Read More

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