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SAVA Conservation Research To Be Presented at Prosimian Conference
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SAVA Conservation staff and collaborating Malagasy Masters student Manitra Rajaonarison and former Duke Uni-
versity Nicholas School Masters student Jennifer Moore will be presenting posters and oral presentations at the up-
coming Prosimian Congress in August. More on the Congress in the next newsletter, but two of the poster abstracts
are listed below.
Diet, Ranging, Activity Budget of wild silky sifakas in Makira
1
Manitra Fabien Rajaonarison,
2
Erik R. Patel, and
3
Emilienne Razafimahatratra
1,3
University of Antananarivo, Department of Animal Biology
2
Duke Lemur Center, SAVA Conservation
A 4.5 month study of silky sifaka (
Propithecus candidus
) feeding ecology and ranging was
conducted in the Makira Natural Park near the village Andaparaty. The fieldsite inhabited by
this single group of four individuals is an unusually low elevation and disturbed habitat for
this species. This location, just north of the Antainambalana River, is the southern range limit
for this species in Madagascar. No other groups are currently known to be found within 25 kilometers of this isolated
group. 1040 total focal hours of data were obtained between July 1 and November 11 2011. In total, 70 different plants
were consumed. Plant part percentages confirm that they are folivorous seed-predators: leaves 56.6%, seeds 18.0%,
buds and flowers 11.5%, stems 8.3%, fruits 5.0%, and .6% soil, galls, and other. Feeding time on their top ten foods ac-
counted for 76.7% of t heir diet: mampay (Fabaceae, 22.3%), vongo (Clusiaceae, 14.7%), taintsitsiha (Loranthaceae,
9.5%), vaheny (Apocynaceae, 7.2%), tarantana (Anacardiaceae, 5.7%), sambalahy (Fabaceae, 5.6%), nanto (Sapotaceae,
3.1%), rotro (Myricaceae, 3.0%), hazinina (Clusiaceae, 2.9%), and ompa (Myrtaceae, 2.7%). Home range was deter-
mined from 931 GPS points to be 98.6 ha (100% MCP), 67.8 ha (95% Kernel), and 21.8 ha (50% Kernel). This is the larg-
est home range known for silky sifaka in Madagascar. The activity budget revealed 63.0% of time spent for resting,
28.5% for feeding, and 8.5% for moving, social activities and other. Results illustrate the flexibility, despite rarity, of this
species and provide new information about how this species copes with habitat disturbance.
S
AVA Conservation: A new initiative by the Duke Lemur Center
1
Erik R. Patel,
2
Charles R. Welch,
3
Lanto H. Andrianandrasana, and
4
Anne D. Yoder
1,2,3
Duke Lemur Center, SAVA Conservation
4
Duke Lemur Center
Duke Lemur Center’s new conservation initiative in the SAVA region of northeastern Mada-
gascar will be described and recent project newsletters will be distributed. Based in Sambava
where the new office is found, the project has followed a multi-faceted community-based
approach to biodiversity conservation which is similar to that used by the Madagascar Fauna
Group (MFG) in the Toamasina region. The extensive environmental education program in-
cludes both structured educational visits to Marojejy National Park with local student groups
as well as a teacher training program which will introduce a 68 page environmental education manual as part of the
required primary school curriculum in dozens of schools. To diminish bushmeat hunting, fish farming of a locally en-
demic
Paratilapia
species (“fony”) is being taught as an alternative protein and income source by a local specialist in
the practice. Restocking of this endangered species into local rivers will also help to reestablish wild populations. Re-
forestation campaigns have been established in several villages around Marojejy National Park with approximately
10,000 seedlings (fast growing endemics and fruit trees) being planted annually in each village. Direct collaboration
with Madagascar National Parks includes improving boundary demarcation at Marojejy NP, and revival of a village
guard program, among other activities. Lemur research and conservation projects are also an important aspect of this
conservation program. Results of several projects will be reviewed which have recently been undertaken by graduate
and undergraduate Duke University students.