September 2024 Conservation Snapshot

Emblematic animals of Madagascar with 133 different species, lemurs play a crucial role in their ecosystem, acting as forest engineers and helping with reforestation. Sadly most of them are threatened by deforestation, hunting for bushmeat or exotic pet trade and other human-related factors.

Bioparc Doué-la-Fontaine and other EAZA Members* have been supporting Antongil Conservation, an NGO aiming to protect the Malagasy forest and its inhabitants. The team focus on sustainably managing the forest area in the Bay of Antongil, reforestation and monitoring the fauna and flora. They work together with local communities to protect this space and develop eco-tourism activities.

Antongil Conservation also collaborates with experts from GERP (Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates) and the NGO Impact Madagascar to help the red-ruffed lemurs return to the forest. The third translocation is planned later this month and the animals will be released after 6 to 8 weeks in the habituation aviary.

That’s right before the lemur festival, an event organised yearly since 2004 to raise awareness of the interdependence between man and nature. These ideas are conveyed during the celebrations, with the participation of all stakeholders in speeches, photo and drawing exhibitions, a carnival and songs. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend this 20th edition!

For more information about the festival, contact Tatiana Beuchat.