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Welcome to the inaugural newsleƩer of
the Duke Lemur Center’s Madagascar SAVA
ConservaƟon iniƟaƟve! We are very pleased
to have the opportunity to share here our
early project progress and acƟviƟes. But
before delving into project news, I would like
to give a bit of background about DLC’s new
“SAVA ConservaƟon iniƟaƟve”. SAVA, by the
way, is the acronym for this region of
northeastern Madagascar which includes the
four towns of
S
ambava,
A
ndapa,
V
ohemar,
and
A
ntalaha (see map).
Although
many
conservaƟon
organizaƟons are working in Madagascar,
overall environmental progress has been
slow. The country’s unique natural forests, and
the wildlife they contain, conƟnue to disappear at an alarming rate. In 2009, DLC director Anne
Yoder felt that the Ɵming was right to begin exploring potenƟal sites in Madagascar where a
DLC on‐the‐ground iniƟaƟve could have an important conservaƟon impact. To summarize a
lengthy process, aŌer extensive research and consultaƟon with conservaƟon organizaƟons and
colleagues working in Madagascar, we narrowed the list down to two potenƟal areas. AŌer site
visits and further consultaƟons, the SAVA region was chosen as the best fit for DLC.
But why the SAVA region? We based our decision on many criteria, such as level of threat to
the area’s forests, biodiversity present, willingness of local peoples and authoriƟes to work
with us, and lack of conservaƟon organizaƟons already working in the area. We also considered
the other advantages that a Duke University presence in the area could bring to both sides, in
terms of related acƟviƟes, such as opportuniƟes for students, researchers, and other Duke
departments, which could also benefit local people. The SAVA region became the obvious
choice.
What will our DLC‐SAVA ConservaƟon iniƟaƟve consist of exactly? As you will learn from this
and following newsleƩers, we will use a mulƟ‐faceted approach to conservaƟon which is
similar, but not idenƟcal to, that used by the successful Madagascar Fauna Group’s (MFG)
projects, which we have been an acƟve part of for so long. In our SAVA iniƟaƟve, we also will
focus on a range of project components. The first, which has already begun with teacher
trainings, is environmental educaƟon. It is so important to begin sƟmulaƟng environmental
awareness and conservaƟon understanding among the youth, through a variety of acƟviƟes.
Secondly, we will support reforestaƟon efforts in the region. Returning trees to the landscape is
A new DLC
conservation
initiative!
Marojejy National Park peaks at dawn.
(photo by Erik Patel)
I NS I DE TH I S
I S SUE :
On the Ground
in Madagascar
3
Desperately
Seeking
Prolemur simus
4
Reforestation
Collaboration
Agreement
6
Teacher
Trainings Begin
7
A Walk
Through the
Forest Like
Never Before
8
New School &
Bridge
10
Duke
Connections
11
SAVA Conservation
A P R I L 2 0 1 2
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
S P EC I AL
PO I NT S OF
I NTE R E S T :
DLC post-doc
Erik Patel is on
the ground in
Madagascar
DLC has a
signed
agreement
with MNP
There will be a
new school
and bridge
built in the
region
D U K E
L E M U R
C E N T E R