Surveys

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Blog from MBP Volunteer, Annie   Along with tracking specific animals in two forest fragments, we are also trying to get a sense of the lemur population density of all the fragments in the area. So, we are now doing transect surveys, where we walk along pre-measured lines and record any lemurs that we see. Starting out the surveys was a bit of a trick, because the lines do not follow set trails. Instead, they … Read More

The Do’s and Don’ts of being an MBP Volunteer

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Blog from 2011-12 MBP Prolemur simus monitoring team volunteer, Elle   Working in the field following lemurs day in and day out, I have definitely learnt the hard way on some of the things you should and should not do! This has allowed me to devise a helpful Do’s and Don’ts guide, which is as follows:   Do’s and Don’ts Always trust your guide. If he warns you to go slow, take his word or … Read More

On a Malagasy road, heading towards Kianjavato

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From Cynthia, OHDZ-MBP Post-Doctoral researcher studying the Greater bamboo lemur   The bus that was supposed to depart the taxi brousse station at 7am is finally lurching out amid diesel-choked fumes and roving vendors selling last minute desperately needed road trip provisions such as lace-fringed overstuffed cushions and cheap, naked, plastic dolls.  What was I thinking to have left home without those?  As we pull onto the road just over two hours late I settle … Read More

The search for Manga Be

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Blog by Sophie and Megan, 2010-11 MBP Varecia monitoring team     Big V (Vatovavy) on the morning walk in. All was going well for team Varecia at Vatovavy. Lemurs were being followed and data meticulously collected. Until one day in late November when an old faithful Lemur, Manga Be (blue collar), appeared to have gone off radar. After many searches of his usual terrain around the lower foothills of Vatovavy, morale was beginning to … Read More

Thanks CEF!

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In 2010, OHDZ-MBP was awarded a grant from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the Conservation Endowment Fund. This grant was to help support our reforestation program as well as expand our rocket stove program in Kianjavato, Madagascar. We just turned in our final reports and are proud to announce that our effort has proven to be a success. The video highlights some of the advances we’ve made this year. Thanks AZA & CEF … Read More

We have babies!

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While the Northern hemisphere prepares for the upcoming fall and winter, in Madagascar it is springtime. Over the last month, many forest animals are having babies, including the Black and white ruffed lemurs in the forests around Kianjavato. A key part of our ongoing conservation research program is in the forests near the commune of Kianjavato in the southeast.  So far this season, MBP research staff and volunteers have identified 19 Black and white ruffed … Read More