| Campaigns |
| AEECL |
Mission: To increase the scientific knowledge of its flagship species, the blue-eyed black lemur, through studies into socioecology, reproductive behaviour, habitat use, activity patterns, parasitic status and nutritional ecology. Location: Madagascar Support started: 2004 Amount donated: €1,650 annually Background: The AEECL uses the expertise of its member zoo organisations to help contribute to the knowledge of endangered lemur species and has worked towards preventing the loss of further valuable habitat on the island of Madagascar. Towards the end of 2007, an MSc research project was also completed examining the population density and habitat preferences of the newly-described Sahamalaza sportive lemur. The Sahamalaza sportive lemur was first discovered in 2004, but no research other than genetic and morphological descriptions and a brief survey had been carried out on the species prior to this study. Basic information about their population size and habitat requirements was urgently required in order to suggest appropriate conservation action. An overall population of no more than 3,000 individuals is now estimated to remain and the habitat is continuously shrinking, which reinforces the conservation status of this species. Staff involved in this research project were also involved in the writing and translation of an educational booklet about Ankarafa Research Station intended for distribution at local schools. Achievements: In July 2007, the protected area in Sahamalaza was officially declared a marine and coastal national park. Since beginning work in the Sahamalaza region of northwest Madagascar, AEECL has developed positive relations with the local community. Between the end of 2007 and the start of 2008, a number of cyclones struck Madagascar causing damage. Disasters and deaths were recorded in the places that had been hit the worst. AEECL has been working with the local communities after these disasters to provide aid and support. The AEECL is also continuing with its community-based natural resource management programme, which was successful in securing €20,000 from the EAZA 2006/7 Madagascar campaign. This programme is helping local community members to improve their living conditions to enable them to sustainably manage their natural reserves. Future objectives: The AEECL has many plans for the continuation and expansion of the programme for the next few years. During the years to come, a number of studies on the ecology and conservation of the blue-eyed black lemur and other species of the Sahamalaza region will be carried out. There are many other mammal, reptile and amphibian species living within the boundaries of the protected area “Sahamalaza - Iles Radama”, some of which are still undescribed by science. As yet, little is known about the ecology or behaviour of any of these species, thus necessitating a considerable amount of research in Sahamalaza in the coming years. There are also two main community-orientated objectives. The first is to train local communities in environment-compatible income-generating activities, such as rice farming during the rainy season, bee keeping, popularising rice farming, tree nursery creation and guiding tourists. The second objective is to reinforce the community infrastructure focusing on education and health, such as employing teaching and paramedic staff, building or rehabilitating schools and clinics, setting up a community-managed pharmacy and supplying school materials and stationary. Moreover, feasibility studies on wells and irrigation dams will also be conducted. Website: http://www.aeecl.org/index.shtml Blue-eyed black male lemur picture © AEECL |
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No. 1105621 Trustees A C Downing, S D Knuckey, L J Spurgeon, P R Johnson