| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
"A truly memorable experience in a truly memorable country with wonderful people!"
David Hatton, 2005
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
WINNER
Best Volunteering Organisation |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
About Lemur Venture |
|
|
.................................................................................................. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Azafady is proud to be working with Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT) on Lemur Venture. PBZT is the national botanical and zoological gardens of Madagascar, based in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo. PBZT is striving to be the leader in captive breeding of the nation's primate species, in partnership with international institutions.
The aim of Lemur Venture is to help PBZT in gathering information on several species of lemur; this is predominantly for the purposes of improving success rates of captive breeding programs, both in Madagascar and around the world, which is essential to ongoing conservation. As with all Madagascar's lemurs, these endemic species are endangered through habitat destruction and other pressures.
Alongside a team of like-minded volunteers led by highly qualified staff, you will play an active part in Azafady's lemur conservation program. You will work with both managed and wild lemur populations, monitoring changes in the highly vulnerable ecosystems of which the lemurs are a part. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Programs last for eight weeks (a shorter four-week program is available by arrangement). In 2008, there will be four teams departing in January, April, July and October. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Camping facilities are provided for volunteers throughout their stay although everyone must bring their own tent! Facilities are basic, especially when working in rural areas, and volunteers should be prepared for work that involves early morning rises, working in the evenings, physical exertion, adventurous road journeys and long hikes to reach remote and beautiful project sites.
The sites selected for Lemur Venture will give you a real insight into the amazing diversity of Malagasy landscape: from the south's dry spiny desert, to the rainforest-ringed beauty of Fort Dauphin, to the wet coastal forests of the littoral forest zone.
The program will begin with around a week in Madagascar's capital city Antananarivo, including training by and working alongside the PBZT team, before heading out into the field. Work in the park itself will be varied, including all of the usual activities involved in caring for animals in captivity (including feeding, cleaning, repairing structures, etc).
In the field, participants will work closely with trained professionals from both PBZT and Azafady and will gain basic field skills in areas such as animal behaviour, feeding ecology, conservation biology, lemur censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
The team at Parc Tsimbazaza will lead you through the orientation process when you arrive in Madagascar. You will be given an introduction to primates, their care and conservation, and a solid grounding in the work to be done over the next eight weeks. A team of Malagasy staff travel and work with our volunteers at all times, primarily to ensure that the group is safe, but also as co-workers and to offer advice on Malagasy culture, facilitating communication and positive interaction with the local communities.
This ensures that our volunteers have full support and encouragement to understand and appreciate the very different culture and environment that Lemur Venture will take you into.
English-speaking long-term volunteers based in Fort Dauphin are also there to ensure that all your questions are answered and problems solved.
A satellite telephone travels with the volunteers at all times to ensure effective communication in times of need. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
You will be expected to work some weekends, so free time will often be at a premium and the study sites are remote so excursions will not often be possible. However, in your time off in Fort Dauphin there is plenty to explore in the region - the unique wildlife and habitats of Madagascar will be of great interest. Or you could simply enjoy relaxing and surfing on the stunning beaches around Fort Dauphin. Further afield, the beautiful coral reefs that surround the island are ideal for snorkelling and diving. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Any questions? Feel free to call +44 (0) 20 8960 6629 or email us at mark@azafady.org. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
