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| Viewing: Volunteer in Madagascar with Lemur Venture |
Package ID: 1608 |
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| Volunteer in Madagascar with Lemur Venture |
Join Lemur Venture and carry out vital conservation work for the protection of endangered primates and their natural habitat.
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Organisation
Voted "Best Volunteering Organisation" at the 2007 Responsible Tourism Awards, this is a UK registered charity and Malagasy NGO whose aim is to eradicate poverty, suffering and environmental damage in Madagascar. The organisation’s approach is one of co-operation and participation with local communities living in the southeast of the country and its work aims to alleviate the effects of poverty and to support viable, environmentally-sensitive development. The charity works for a better future for people, communities and the environments in which they live.
Lemur Venture has been developed in association with Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza (PBZT). 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.
Project Location
Set in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and is recognised as one of the planet's top conservation priorities. Eighty per cent of the island's plant and animal species (including 71 species of lemur) are found nowhere else on earth.
Volunteers will be working with the staff of PBZT in Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, and with the NGO in the Fort Dauphin region of the southeast of the country, an area which has been substantially deforested but retains fragments of some of the most important tropical forests in the world. The work of the Lemur Venture team will be concentrated in two forest habitats: the spiny forest, a fascinating habitat unique to Madagascar that supports an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, and the littoral forest which is a highly endangered coastal habitat.
Project Activities
This is a very special programme that offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable conservation skills and experience as well as to make a significant contribution towards helping some of the world's most threatened and remarkable creatures. Volunteers will work closely with trained professionals from both PBZT and the NGO to gain an insight into real grass roots conservation.
Lemur Venture begins with around a week in Madagascar`s capital city Antananarivo. During this time volunteers will be trained by and work alongside the PBZT team before flying to Fort Dauphin. After an initial orientation in Fort Dauphin, volunteers will head out to the field to study wild lemurs and their habitat. Lemur Venture's special focus is on gathering information on several lemur species in order to improve success rates of captive breeding programmes both in Madagascar and around the world. Projects are determined in consultation with PBZT staff and are likely to focus on one or more of the following: lemur behaviour, feeding ecology, conservation biology, population censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management.
Accommodation
Accommodation whilst in Antananarivo is a simple but clean and comfortable hotel. Thereafter, camping facilities are provided throughout the programme, although volunteers do need to bring their own tent. Facilities are basic but there will always be latrine and private washing facilities. Electricity and piped water are available when in Fort Dauphin, however in the field, water is collected and then treated from rivers and wells.
Food
All meals are provided throughout the scheme. Meals mainly consist of rice, beans, vegetables and fruit. Fish (or eggs for vegetarians) are provided when possible. All meals are prepared and cooked by the group, often in open-air facilities. The best possible treated drinking water is always available.
Departure Dates
There are four 8 week teams departing in the second week of January, April, July and October. Four week placements are also available by arrangement.
Flights
Flights are not included in the programme cost but a discounted reservation will be made for volunteers with Air Madagascar.
Travel Insurance
You must take out adequate travel and medical insurance to cover you for the activities and duration of the programme. Your insurance should include cover for emergency repatriation and work abroad.
Health
All volunteers must be vaccinated against Tetanus and Rabies and be taking a World Health Organisation recognized malaria prophylaxis in order to participate on the scheme. For other vaccination requirements, consult your current GP or travel clinic.
Visa Requirements
Volunteers will be required to apply for a 90 day visa from their nearest Madagascan Embassy or Consulate.
Likely Weather Conditions
January to March – Hot and humid with rain.
April to July – Drier. Hot in April then growing noticeably cooler
July to September – Dry. Cold in July then growing noticeably warmer
October to December – Windy. Progressively hotter and more wet.
Equipment
An equipment list is provided. Key pieces include a tent, sleeping bag, rucksack, head torch and comprehensive medical kit.
Sorry this is not for Children - Minimum age is 18
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