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 The Madagascar Lemur Research & Conservation programme offers volunteers the opportunity to get involved in various aspects of on-going conservation work in southeast Madagascar, working with a multi award-winning charity.
The unique coastal littoral forests in this area are home to numerous endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna, and, as such, the remaining forest fragments are a high conservation priority. This project seeks to mitigate the problem of deforestation, and aims to sustainably protect these fragile forest fragments. The programme integrates research on endangered flora and fauna with community initiatives such as reforestation and environmental education
Volunteers can choose from five core modules which cover the different aspects of this conservation work. These 2-week modules in Lemur Study, Biodiversity Research and Monitoring, Reforestation Work, Environmental Education and Construction can be taken individually, or combined, so individual programmes can be between 2 to 10 weeks long. Whilst you are welcome to stay for just one module, the program has been planned so that volunteers may combine modules to stay longer and get a real overview of the integrated way this project approaches the conservation of biodiversity, or gain in-depth insight into one aspect of the work by taking one module for up to 10 weeks. The program provides a unique opportunity to tailor your experience to your interests and needs choosing from the following core modules:
Lemur Study – investigate the impact of forest fragmentation on lemur populations including the collared brown lemur, the wolly lemur and the brown mouse lemur. Research methods will include presence-absence surveys, examination of the collared brown lemur resource use, botanical composition of the forest and assessment of human impact and disturbance.
- Biodiversity Research & Monitoring – research activities in the littoral forest fragments studying the flora and fauna, focusing on two palm species and a gecko species, Phelsuma antanosy –all three of which are categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Volunteers on this module will conduct research to examine the abundance of these species and the threats they may face.
- Reforestation Work – volunteers will work on the project to help protect native forests and improve the livelihoods of local communities by providing sustainable sources of timber and firewood. By planting trees and propagating seedlings in the tree nurseries, volunteers will be assisting the project in reaching its target of reforesting 80 hectares of land, as well as working with the communities to construct fuel-efficient stoves and promote the use of Moringa oleifera – a plant termed the ‘miracle tree’ due to its exceptional nutritional value.
- Environmental Education – contribute to the provision of long-term environmental education for the schools in the St Luce region with volunteers preparing and presenting environmental education lessons assisted by local staff and translators.
- Construction - building rural schools in isolated and beautiful Malagasy villages. This is the scheme for people looking for a fitness-building outdoors experience that really makes a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. You will join a group of like-minded volunteers, working alongside community members, camping in a stunning rural environment, engaging in hands-on construction of a 6 meter by 12 meter two-room, stone floored, tin roofed, wooden school house, equipped with tables and chairs, blackboard, shelving and water and sanitation infrastructure.
On this programme you will be based in the superbly beautiful and exotic coastal region of Sainte Luce in southeast Madagascar, which is surrounded by extremely rare and threatened fragments of pristine, littoral rainforest. Littoral forest (coastal forest) is one of Madagascar’s most endangered habitats. Of the original littoral forest cover, only 10% remains today in small forest parcels.
This programme offers a fantastic opportunity for those wishing to gain field skills and experience in conservation projects on-the-ground in a developing country, working alongside International and Malagasy specialists with a multi award-winning charity. It can also be taken as an internship.
 
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PROJECT OUTLINE
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Project
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Madagascar Lemur Research & Conservation Project
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Location
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Fort Dauphin
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Province
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Fort Dauphin
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Country
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Madagascar
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Closest city
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Fort Dauphin
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Closest airport
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Tolagnaro / Fort Dauphin
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Malaria-free area
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No. Volunteers are required to take an appropriate malarial prophylaxis.
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Vaccinations
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Tetanus required
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Duration
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Minimum: 2 weeks, modules can be added in 2-week increments
Maximum: 10 weeks
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Combination
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This project can be combined with any other project
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Requirements
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Minimum age 18 years old, maximum age decided depending on participant’s health
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Skills needed
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- Flexibility, adaptability
- Scientific research / data capturing and recording skills
- Environmental monitoring / data capturing and recording skills
- Tutoring / capacity building skills
- Practical hands-on ability / construction
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Dates
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Start dates run throughout the year with each module running at least once a month
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Hours
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Volunteers will generally work from about 8.30am – 12 noon, followed by a 2 hour lunch break to eat, relax, sleep or even do your washing! And then project work again from 3 – 5pm
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Costs*
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Costs
*(based on a conversion rate of 12.0 GBP to S A Rand)
- First 2-week module: £600 (UK costs)
- Second 2-week module: £550 (UK costs)
- All further 2-week modules £500 (UK costs)
The minimum donation is a donation to support the charitable work of the charity. Funds generated by the program support projects in Madagascar, with some 90% of all donations to being spent in direct pursuit of our charitable aims.
Don't let the size of the required donation put you off! The charity has an office to directly support volunteers in raising this donation, with a wealth of fundraising experience and resources available to volunteers including manuals, raffle tickets, posters, sponsor forms, online donation facilities, collection boxes etc!
The fee will also cover you for all in-country travel costs (excluding flights), project costs, training, meals and plenty of safe water, use of campsite facilities, orientation and language classes upon arrival and a dedicated team to guide you in Madagascar.
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Inclusions
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- A dedicated volunteer coordinator based in London to help you prepare for your trip
- Airport transfer from Fort Dauphin to the project site
- Orientation program about Madagascar and the work of the charity and all in-country project training
- Any daily transport that might be required as part of the project during your stay
- Use of campsite facilities and 3 meals a day and plenty of safe drinking water at project base
- A dedicated team of Malagasy staff to guide you in Madagascar as well as an international coordinator, who is themselves, an ex-volunteer.
- A visit to Nahampoana Reserve for an up close experience with several species of Lemur
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Exclusions
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- Transport to Fort Dauphin in Madagascar
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement
- All visa costs
- Personal equipment
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Accommodation
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You will camp in St Luce – one of the most beautiful sites in the Madagascar and wake up to deserted beaches and forests teeming with wildlife on your doorstep!
Volunteers will camp for the duration of their placement, camping facilities are provided but you will need to bring your own tent.
When in Fort Dauphin, volunteers camp at the stunning lake-side site of Lanirano, which is fully equipped with flush toilets and showers as well as electricity for charging cameras, ipods, mobile phones etc. Laundry services are also available locally
Whilst working at the project site in St Luce facilities will be more basic but there will always be latrine and private washing amenities. Water will be collected (and treated for drinking) from nearby rivers and wells. Although conditions here will be more basic than you are used to we can assure you that you will be surrounded by some of the most lush and remote places in the world!
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Daily Transport on project
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You will often be walking into the forests or to local villages to carry out project work - Be prepared for adventurous road journeys, physical work and long walks to reach remote and beautiful project sites. The work is challenging but incomparably rewarding.
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Meals
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A resident cook travels with the team and is responsible for preparing meals each day. Food is simple, but tasty, nutritionally balanced and locally sourced. Meals mainly consist of rice and beans, supplemented with fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and eggs when available, and there should always be enough honey or condensed milk to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Chocolate, crisps, croissants and ice-cream are all available for sale in Fort Dauphin and there are some excellent restaurants serving well cooked Western and Malagasy dishes at reasonable prices – think zebu steak and chips, fresh seafood and even pizza! A plentiful supply of treated drinking water will always be available however it is often possible to purchase soft drinks, bottled water, beer and rum from local stores, even in the remoter locations.
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Host Resources
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Orientation provided
Training provided
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Possible tasks
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- Be involved in research of various lemur species through presence-absence surveys, monitoring population levels, monitoring lemurs’ resource use, and assess the botanical composition of forest fragments and human impact.
- Take part in pioneering research on two endangered palm trees which are unique to this area of Madagascar, using biological research techniques and GPS mapping of individual trees
- Investigate the Critically endangered Phelsuma antanosy gecko (a bright green gecko with a green or tortoise tail)
- Plant trees as part of a major reforestation project
- Promote the use of improved fuel-efficient stoves in local communities which use 2/3 less firewood, reducing the amount of wood necessary for cooking.
- Help implement a structured environmental education programme using the Pan African Conservation education (PACE) project work sheets developed by Siren Conservation Education recently translated for use in Madagascar.
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Recommended Tours
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Please consult us further
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* Prices subject to change without prior notice
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