Would you like to explore the remote canyons of the Makay in search of rare species? Help map the biological and archaeological heritage of this exceptional environment? These missions are for you!
What do we do?
These missions have specific objectives, such as researching little-known or rarely-seen species, and inventorying the Makay’s archaeological sites.
Examples of missions:
In search of the bamboo lemur
The Hapalemur(hapalemur griseus) was one of the unexpected discoveries of the 2010-2011 scientific expeditions! This critically endangered species was known in the north-west and south-east of Madagascar, but not in this area, as shown by the IUCN distribution maps. The challenge is therefore to monitor these animals and succeed in setting up a conservation project dedicated to this species.
Fortunately, after a long period of diet in terms ofsightings since 2016, we finally had the chance to observe them again in 2022 and 2023. In 2017, a skeleton was discovered in northern Makay, raising a new mystery: is there a Hapalemur population in northern Makay? A hypothesis that was confirmed with the first sightings of several individuals in 2022 in this area.
Objectives :
- Observing new individuals
- Identify their home range
- Identify the different populations (number of individuals, sex…)
Archaeological inventory
The Makay’s biological and cultural heritage makes it unique in Madagascar. Nowhere else in Madagascar can you find such archaeological diversity. With no fewer than 600 rock paintings discovered since 2010-2011, and thousands more in 2019, the Makay still looks set to reveal many treasures.
Your mission: to explore the Makay from south to north in search of archaeological sites. This first inventory will complete the data available to us and enable Madagascar’s Ministry of Culture and Communication – in collaboration with scientists – to set up a conservation strategy for these unique sites.
In search of ring-tailed lemurs
The range of the ring-tailed lemur (or Maki catta) is known as far south as Makay, but to date no sightings have been recorded by the manager. The aim of this mission is to obtain photographic, filmic and potentially genetic proof of the existence of one or more Lemur catta populations in the Makay. A discovery that would be a further argument for the importance of conserving this exceptional site. A census of this additional species would place the Makay even higher among the sites with the greatest lemur diversity in Madagascar.
Objectives :
- Observing new individuals
- Identify their home range
- Identify the different populations (number of individuals, sex…)
How does the mission work?
These missions are itinerant and require good physical condition. Campsites are dismantled on a regular basis – on average every 2 days, but potentially every day depending on observations and field conditions – to continue prospecting at new sites, generally far back in the massif. Ecovolunteers are guided by our ecoguards and one of our project leaders, and accompanied by a team of porters.
What impact will the project have?
The aim of these exploration missions is to improve our knowledge of the most remote sites in the massif (where it is very difficult to bring scientists). Thanks to them, to the number of ecovolunteers and porters involved and to the protocols we manage to deploy in a very short time, we bring back crucial information for the conservation of the Makay.
This information complements that obtained during our participatory science missions, which are carried out in more accessible regions, using more in-depth study protocols.
These missions also enable us to continue training our ecoguards, to carry out regular surveillance of the entire Makay Protected Area, and to meet and talk with villagers we rarely get the chance to meet in our other projects.
Mission dates
[table “6” not found /]More info and registration
All information about our ecovolunteer missions, including dates and rates, can be found on the Ecovolunteer Missions in Madagascar page. You’ll also find the pre-registration form.