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Madagascar Wildlife Conservation Adventure
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Processing the Chameleons
Research Assistant - 15th January 2010
Day 1
Early in the morning all Research Assistants arrive at Hotel de la Poste in Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), check in and unpack. Some are off the early morning flight from Antananarivo, and a few have arrived early.
This was followed by a group lunch at the Hotel, and then an orientation tour of Diego. Streetfood for dinner.
Day 2
Breakfast was at the bakery, followed by Health and Safety briefing and tests. The afternoon was spent organising essentials and buying supplies for the field.
Dinner consisted of a delicious curry, followed by drinks at Sun City.
Day 3
Illness strikes - prime suspect, the Curry. Only 50% of the Research Assistants make it inot the field, the survivors walking to camp in 5 1/2 hours across beautiful countryside, no rain, but all exhausted. Introduced to the Malagasy staff, Edmond and Gilda, and welcomed with a lovely warm meal.
Day 4
Awoke to rain, and pancakes. Sat about, waiting for rain to stop. Rained all day, allowing time to recover from the walk in. In the only brief break in the rain a tour of the camp, and staff introduced us to camp duties. AJ (Principle Investigator) and Alex (Research Assistant) went out in the evening, and caught 4 chameleons.
Day 5
Processed the chameleons in the morning, a lesson in identification and recording. Had lunch, and an afternoon walk up Broken Mountain, where we saw a group of Brown Limas up-close. In the evening, AJ and Andy (Assistant Research Officer) went out for an evening search and caught another 4 chameleons, 2 leaf tail geckos, and a fish scale gecko.
Day 6
In the morning processed last nights catch, and AJ left to meet the Research Assistants walking in late due to illness, with Ann (Research Officer). Everyone left at camp takes bets on how long the rain will last, and if AJ would make it back...He does, with happy Research Assistants in tow.
A Brief Update from the Forest
Madagascar Forest - 8th December 2009
After Camp Swap, the Forest team continued to work on their personal projects of surveying reptiles, birds, and lemurs. We've been catching a lot more large lizards now the rainy season is starting. There still hasn't been much rain though!!
We decided to head to Diego for a few days after receiving a cyclone warning for the area. We had some time to do shopping, and eating in restaurants with the marine team. We did the journey back to camp again to find all was OK, and the cyclone missed.
The team leader finally gets to go home to see family at Christmas, and leaves his two capable assistants in charge of looking after our shrinking team. The camp now however has baby chicks and ducklings!
Finding Unrecorded Tiny Chameleon Brookesia
Becky Lomax - 3rd November 2009
Our first weeks on camp were spent learning about animals and how to record data on them. Most mornings the team went on bird walks, where we saw a variety of birds. Then after breakfast we would either have a lecture on various areas of conservation in Madagascar and the animals we are working with or be shown how to identify animals that had been caught the night before. In the afternoons we took part in butterfly catching, trap digging, trap checking or went on orientation walks. Evenings were spent catching frogs, looking for reptiles or lemur surveys. After the training we were given specific areas to focus on.
At weekends sometimes we go to the local village to play football and swim in the lagoon. At the weekends we get more exciting food than rice and beans. This includes mango salad, eggs and once we even had chicken.
We have all now been on a satellite camp, which is collecting data from other forests and each time we have slept under the stars. There have been some highlights on camp such as the reptile boys finding a Boa and a the tiny chameleon Brookesia which had previously been unrecorded in the region. There have also been some lows, such as the fires around the forest, but everyone is having a great time!
Arriving at camp
Madagascar Forest - 12th October 2009
We left Diego by taxi-bus, it took 2 ½ hours. It was a bum numbing experience and at one point I didn’t think we’d make it as the van broke down about 4 times due to overheating. The driver said that the taxi was “dead sick”.
After arriving at Anivorano we fuelled up with noodle baguettes before setting off on our 20km trek. It took 4 hours through all types of terrain including steep hills and rivers. It was great to see everyone chipping in and helping each other with bags whilst getting across the natural obstacles.
We all finally made it to camp at 8pm broken and exhausted. Gilda (our cook) had prepared lovely papaya curry. Since then we have been resting, getting familiar with camp life and learning our duties. Later today we will go to the lagoon for a swim and take the locals on for a game of footy!
Lemurs move into camp
Madagascar Forest - 5th October 2009
The last few weeks in the forest were very busy as there were only two RA’s. Rachel’s BTEC project on chameleon and gecko densities in disturbed areas went well and produced some interesting results. Her presentation on geckos was very informative and was listened to by a captive audience of two.
A new frog species previously un-recorded in the area was found in the camp stream. A group of Sanfords Brown lemurs have been feeding regularly at camp on the now ripe jack fruits, providing some great photo opportunities. A three day satellite camp to another large forest fragment provided lots of new data and was a great opportunity for exploring. A new lagoon was found which was a great place to cool off during the heat of the day. Crowned lemurs were very curious of our camp and investigated every evening. The bird diversity was obviously higher in this different forest and we saw some bird species we had not yet seen in our forest. We will both be very sad to leave the forest, Gilda’s cooking, and what now feels like home.
No Llama's in Madagascar
Andrew Dandy - 3rd October 2009
Travelling anywhere on your own can be a daunting task, but volunteering for 5 weeks in Madagascar seemed crazy as I arrived at Heathrow airport. Last to arrive as usual I met the other volunteers waiting at the gate, some I had already met at the briefing weekend, whilst others I would get to know on the long plane journey. Any initial doubts about the trip soon turned to excitement in the company of the other intrepid adventurers who would become my close friends by the time the adventure came to an end.
After we had taken in the beautiful views of Madagascar from the plane and soaked up the capital for a night we headed to the northern capital of Diego. Here we met our camp leaders who would guide us through our journeys with expertise and made sure we had an amazing time every step of the way, pointing out those bright lemur eyes in the dark.
Our base camp was set in the middle of a dense forest with Lemurs playfully jumping from tree to tree, Chameleons grooving along branches showing off their colours, butterflies dancing around our heads, and frogs making a tuneful racket in the stream at night. These animals would be the focus of our conservation efforts during our time in the forest and the group learned ways of conducting scientific measurements of them and their habitats in relaxed lectures by the camp leader
I was woken every morning at 5.30 by the sound of birds singing to each other, and once I wriggled free of my hammock the group worked their way through the freshly made mound of pancakes set on the table in the middle of camp. Everything in camp from the housing shelter, to the kitchen, to the long drop was made from wood by the local frontier representative who, despite his age, worked like a machine from morning till night to keep the camp, (his home) working and in top condition despite its basic nature. Each day, in between relaxing at the local lagoon we would check traps and measure and weigh the frogs, chameleons and geckos we had caught the night before, with elusive frogs getting the better of me every day! Local bird surveys, wide lemur surveys using GPS and hikes to bat roosts and satellite camps over mountainous terrain became something I loved and remember vividly. The sense of achievement and freedom from hiking across rugged landscapes, meeting the friendly locals, trying to remember my basic Malagasy lessons from camp whilst tasting their mind-blowing foods, then sleeping under the starry skies after a successful day of lemur spotting is something that will stay with you long after you’ve left Madagascar.
By the time my adventure in Madagascar had reached week 5 I found myself completely absorbed into the slow and easy pace of life in this country and as I washed my clothes in the stream and another breathtaking African sunset filled the cloudless sky I thought about what we had achieved in our time there. Madagascar is a land of beautiful scenery and beautiful people who welcome you with open arms, but it is not a country without problems.
The people of Madagascar rely on the land for food and income through farming which entails the burning of land to put nutrients back into the soil for later crops. The fires run wild and burn much of the forests taking the animals that live in them with it. During my time there fires were a constant, with much of the forests around us diminishing. The conservation work we did as a group provided data that will hopefully help educate the locals, and the world, of the importance of conserving a country where most species are endemic.
The last days in Madagascar were spent in the vibrant Diego partying late into the warm nights, and/whilst recounting stories from the forests and mountain jungles. It was finally time to say goodbye to new friends made and a country that teems with a variety of life seen nowhere else on Earth. If you ever get the chance to volunteer in Madagascar then go for it! Not only will you have the time of your life, but helping to conserve the endemic wildlife of Madagascar benefits everyone and allows future generations to take joy in the diversity of animals that live alongside us on this little planet.
Meetings, football and wildlife
Madagascar Forest - 15th July 2009
Volunteer Update:
It’s the end of a busy first week in Madagascar and already the overall experience has been above expectations!
We spent two days and nights in Diego staying with the whole group of this phases volunteers from the both the forest and marine teams.
The accommodation and food (including great pizza and local street-food) were excellent. We then travelled inland by Taxi Brousse (open truck) where we continued on foot to our camp, accompanied by local children who knew the forests.
Camp is unexpectedly comfortable and well thought out/made. There are sleeping quarters for volunteers, a science tent, bar area, kitchen, staff accommodation, hammocks, a large eating area and fantastic long drop! The nearby stream is used for washing our clothes and ourselves as well as for drinking water.
We’ve already been on a number of treks to explore the region – we visited ‘Orientation Point’ to get a good view of our area and key landmarks. Also we have met the president and locals of the nearest village (and have already taken them on at footie!) then relaxed in a beautiful lagoon. We’ve been on morning bird watching walks and night-time frogging walks. Just some of the species already seen have been Leaf-tailed Geckos, Fish-scale Geckos, Lemurs (Sportive and Crowned), Chameleons and Snakes (Golden Hog-Nosed and Madagascar Tree Boa). We’re already learning how to identify, collect and record data on the species we find and will be learning much more in the coming weeks.
In conclusion to week one’s report – we’ve already seen a lot of animals which represent just a small part of Madagascar’s biodiversity and we look forward to doing and seeing more!
Science Update:
After a busy deployment and very early start, we arrived at the forest camp with the new volunteers in the late afternoon on Wednesday July 8th and the zebu cart brought our food and supplies later that evening. So, Thursday morning was spent unloading and organising supplies for camp and in the afternoon Health & Safety talks were followed by explanations of camp duties- given by staff. The staff members took the volunteers for an orientation walk around the local area and gave them a brief overview of the surrounding geology and habitats. Animals found whilst out walking were identified and key features explained.
Early Friday morning the volunteers were taken birding to familiarise themselves with species they will soon be collecting data on. We followed this with a lecture on Frontier and our objectives for the phase. A brief overview of survey methods was given with particular detail given to pitfall trapping as this will start on Monday. Data collection sheets for reptiles were explained using three live examples of chameleon, frog and snake. Staff and volunteers then trekked to a larger forest fragment, where we are hoping to conduct sat camps and much research over the course of the phase.
Saturday started early with a bird walk followed by a trek where everyone was introduced to the president and then had a game of football with the local kids followed by a refreshing swim in the nearby lagoon.
Species of note so far are Crowned Lemurs (Eulemur Coronatus), seen 50m from camp in a pair, Dwarf Lemur (Eulemur Dozailiz) – we are sending a photo to lemur expert, Ben Freed (currently lecturing at Diego University) for a 2nd opinion on the ID, Tree Boa (Sanzinia Madagascariensis) was found a short distance from camp. Several species of snake and chameleon have also been recorded.
A promising start to what will hopefully be a successful & fruitful phase of data collection here!
Week 1 Science Update
- 13th July 2009
After a busy deployment and very early start, we arrived at Antsolipa forest camp with the new RAs in the late afternoon on Wednesday July 8th. The zebu cart brought our food and supplies later that evening. So, Thursday morning was spent unloading and organising supplies for camp and later Health & Safety talks were followed by explanations of camp duties (all given by staff). All MGF staff members took the RAs for an orientation walk around the local area and gave them a brief overview of the surrounding geology and habitats. Animals found whilst out walking were identified, explaining key features.
Early Friday morning the RAs were taken birding to familiarise themselves with species they will soon be collecting data on. We followed this with a lecture on Frontier and our objectives for the phase. A brief overview of survey methods was given with particular detail given to pitfall trapping as this is to be started on Monday. Data collection sheets for reptiles were explained using three live examples of Chameleon, Frog and Snake. Staff and RAs then trekked to a larger forest fragment, Ankazoabo, where we are hoping to conduct sat camps and much research over the course of the phase.
Saturday started early with a bird walk followed by a trek to Tsarakibany where everyone was introduced to the president and then had a game of football with the local kids followed by a refreshing swim in the nearby lagoon.
Species of note so far are Crowned Lemurs (Eulemur Coronatus), seen 50m from camp in a pair, Dwarf Lemur (Eulemur Dozailiz) – we are sending a photo to lemur expert, Ben Freed (currently lecturing at Diego University) for a 2nd opinion on the ID, Tree Boa (Sanzinia Madagascariensis) was found a short distance from camp. Several species of snake and chameleon have also been recorded.
A promising start to what will hopefully be a successful & fruitful phase of data collection here in AntsolipaLes Deux Boules
Nicolas and Shafin - 5th July 2009
We were the first team to study this patch of forest and were fortunate to have with us the true legends that are Edmond and Gilda, qualified and experienced members of staff, and one Madagascar wildlife super-enthusiast/genius volunteer too. We found their enthusiasm infectious and were quickly hooked on catching snakes, chameleons etc etc and my all time favourite – Leaf-Tailed Geckos. The deforestation in that area is significant, and the forest where we were based is in my view clearly at risk. I hope the research done is used proactively by Frontier to try and protect as much forest as possible south of Montagne d’Ambre National Park.
The research stuff:
In our first week we were taught how to handle the animals and what information we needed, and what the overall objectives of the research were. The work included lemur surveys, frogging (catching frogs), bird surveys, butterfly surveys, checking the bucket traps and catching snakes, geckos, chameleons and any other wildlife we could get our hands on. We regularly consulted the text books (or the aforementioned genius volunteer!) to assist in identification and occasionally found that we had, for example, caught a rare snake only recorded a few times before, or a chameleon that was just off the world record in size. Each species was measured following established methods, sometimes quite difficult to do, such as when holding onto a (very strong) writhing Giant Hognose snake and trying to count its ventral scales!
The best part for me was when we were allowed to barbeque whatever we caught, this was usually Saturdays catch - only messing!
Other Stuff:
In the afternoon, we would usually go on a walk. The first week was to Orientation Point, from where we have nice view of Broken Mountain (which we later found the access to thanks to Edmond!). To the North we could see the misty peak of Montagne d'Ambre, to the West we could see the sea. We also spent a few evenings there to watch the sunset - wonderful with the ocean far behind us and the fields and forests stained into orange colour.
Once, we went on a trek to the Bat Roost, a forest patch where we can see... Bats!! The staff knew that we could go there, but actually didn't know "how". After hours walking with many roundabout way, after dead end paths, walking on crest hills, we finally arrived. Even if we were far from them, we could see trees full of black and yellow spots (the bats). We also had the chance, to observe predatory birds spread the confusion between those sleepy creatures.
One memorable day was the day we go to Anivorano, the nearest town (3 hours walking). We began our trek at around 8am and around 40km covered that day, under a torrential rain going up in crescendo. The worst and funniest was the way back, when for an hour we walked through the night and the river, with almost no lights.
After 3 days on camp, a young boy from Tsarakibany brought us a Sanzinia madagascariensis, or Madagascar tree boa. And just a few days later, it's an Acrantophis madagascariensis or Madagascar ground boa that has been brought to us. What a chance to see, hold, and record 2 massive boa.
The highlight moment for me was when just 2 of us released 2 young crocodiles, one given to us by a local boy, and the 2nd one found in a little village. We set them free in their natural land, their home river. A wonderful and hot sunny day.
The fortune was on us and put on our way 2 very rare species of snake, so many chameleons and geckos who taught us the art of camouflage, and, one of my favourite, an owl posing for us while shooting him with our camera.
To the batcave!
Madagascar Forest - 16th March 2009
The last few weeks here in Madagascar have been tiring, but amazingly rewarding. A Satellite Camp to Ankara for Dante's BTEC data was brilliant fun. Having left camp at 8am we were walking, complete with all kit needed until 5.30pm and even then we were 2 hours short of the proposed camp site. However, camping in a random field was amazing and the sunset was awesome, with some cool silhouette pictures being taken. Once we finally got to Ankarana the place was breath taking. The surrounding forest was so different to the forests we'd seen thus far on the trip. A trip along some ‘Tsingy' (spire-like limestone formations) to the local bat cave to get fresh water was an adventure in itself. The camp site was made all the more amazing by the wild troop of Lemurs that decided to be our neighbours for the duration of our stay. They were really tame and came and sat at the dinner table with us and, being polite guests, they offered to wash all our dishes for us (see picture)!
The science work was fun, although a little wet, which meant that the birding was not as good as it could have been, but still, the scenery at Lac Vert was breath-taking with loads of ‘Tsingy'. The two hour walk back to camp was fun as it turned into a night walk where we got to see loads of stunning animals, including Leaf tailed Geckos, a sleeping Hook billed vanga and the a mouse lemur, which has made the trip for us. Just before leaving Ankarana camp in the morning a ring-tailed Mongoose came into camp to see if we were leaving him any breakfast. Another animal off the ‘must see list' !
Back on camp we had some more heavy rain, but went out nevertheless to do more frogging searches for Rob's BTEC. The last days were spent doing some reptile night walks and bird surveys before the taking down of the forest camp began, which was sad as it meant the experience was coming to an end. However, we did get to go and say goodbye to the local villagers before we left....and buy 20 eggs to make the worlds greatest 20 egg omelette!
Before we headed back to Diego for the final time we got to go and teach our final English and Environmental Awareness lesson at John Paul II school in Anivorano. This was nice as it gave us a chance to see the children one last time and say goodbye. We also got the opportunity to go to Lac Sacred where we all became professional crocodile charmers. As we arrived there were no crocs but Sharpie told us that if we started to clap then the crocs would come in as they would think a sacrifice was taking place. Sceptically we did this and it worked! 6 crocodiles appeared from the lake and swam through the reeds into full view. This was the best way to top off the trip!
Everyone has had a great time on the trip and everyone has said that it has been amazing. We'd like to thank Louise, Alex, Ant and all the staff and locals who have made so many memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you all for such a fun time and great experience.
Science Update
The final few weeks of phase have seen staff and volunteers become expert ‘sat-campers', with a fourth and fifth satellite camp completed, giving us the opportunity to see more of northern Madagascar and observe species not seen closer to base camp.
Our longest, most challenging trek of phase took us south to Ankarana Special Reserve, a limestone massif of caves and outcrops. Here, we were excited to find leaf-nosed snakes, habituated lemur troupes, crowds of tenrecs, banded mongoose and even mouse lemurs, one of which was of a species only described in 2000.
Canyons, underground rivers, and having to go caving for water access made Ankarana sat camp our most challenging but also most enjoyable adventure so far.
BTEC data collection was completed near base camp with nocturnal frog searches, in time for our BTEC candidates to present their findings to us, demonstrating the higher numbers of endemic bird species in less disturbed forests.
Unfortunately, it seems the trend of deforestation is only intensifying in the area around our camp - it was sobering to find patches of forest where we conducted surveys at the beginning of phase become slashed-and-burned fields now occupied by corn and maize. Scenes such as this are unfortunately commonplace in Madagascar, with very little forest left outside of national parks.
Our final sat camp saw us hiking across the plains to Lake Sacred, a beautiful site inhabited by Nile crocodiles. Everyone was excited to see the huge crocs come right up to the water's edge, but not too close for comfort!
This was coupled with this phase's final english and environmental awareness lesson in the nearby town of Anivorano. The students were sad to see the volunteers depart, and all exchanged addresses to keep in touch for the future.
All in all, an incredible experience over the past ten weeks has made for memories none will forget, thank you to all volunteers and local staff, veloma samsara
Rumbles in the Jungle
Frontier Volunteer - 27th February 2009
Over the last four weeks the volunteers have pretty much been on the go none stop! We’ve moved a lot this phase, from Montagne de Francais, where we visited an ancient king’s ‘house’(and were fortunate enough to be fed goat by Fred’s uncle – the best meal ever!) to a satellite camp in Ankazoabo. We even stayed at the Marine Camp for a few days. It was cool to see how they lived.
We’ve seen lots of wildlife including lemurs, (which woke us up at 5am most mornings on satellite camp), as well as leaf tailed geckos, birds, chameleons, snakes and lots more! We record data on each animal we catch such as weight, tail length and sex and collectively these build up a picture of the species present in different areas; an important aspect of planning for future conservation management.
Apart from the wildlife we also got involved with the locals in Anivorano, teaching English to the kids at Jean Paul II school. It’s a bit of a hike to get there but the baguettes on sale in the town make it all worthwhile! One volunteer managed to eat nine in two days! Jean Paul II also invited us to their ‘Day of the School’ celebrations, where we got involved in a staff versus pupils football match (which we won 4-3) followed straight away by a basketball match (which our team also won!) The next day we were treated to a chicken lunch at the school, followed by lots of dancing. It was hard to take a break – the kids all love to dance!
We’ve have braved some hard core weather! We were stranded on camp for about three days while a cyclone passed nearby. There was so much rain and we had several rivers flowing through camp including underneath Louise’s tent! Luckily it passed and we all survived and got to go back to the lagoon! The best kind of bath you can have!
We can’t believe we only have two weeks left and then we’re home and dry… literally! Whilst forest life has been challenging, having nature on our doorstep is something we will all miss.
Satellite Camps Science Update
Frontier Research - 27th February 2009
This phase has seen staff and volunteers constantly on the move, with three satellite camps completed so far. Having extensively surveyed the forest patches close to camp in previous phases, in January we teamed up with the Expedition Management volunteers for a satellite camp in Ankazoabo, on the border of the Mount D’Ambre National Park. The forests here support greater diversity of lemurs, and we encountered quite a few tree frogs, leaf-tailed geckoes and observed for the first time freshwater turtles and white throated rails.
Following this we dived straight into satellite camp number two, where we explored the plateaus and canyons of Mount D’Francais – the dry vegetation and views of the Indian Ocean were an interesting contrast to the lush forest fragments near base camp.
Our two BTEC candidates are taking advantage of this phase’s emphasis on satellite camps and are investigating the species diversity and abundance of frogs and birds at far flung sites within the habitat corridor linking Mount D’Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve.
With only two weeks left we have planned one last satellite camp to Ankarana and then will be focussing on nocturnal data collection for Alex’s chameleon project.
The wet conditions this phase have made getting around that little bit more of an adventure and everyone has met the challenge with good humour and enthusiasm, making a group of ‘forestees’ we’ll be very sad to see go home.
Meeting the president of Tsarakibany
Madagascar Forest - 20th January 2009
The first thing that struck us on arrival was the heat. Stepping off the plane was like stepping into a sauna, you broke into a sweat just unpacking your bag. Frontier staff met us at the airport and we crammed into little yellow taxis which took us to ‘Le Village’ our hotel for 2 nights. We had a tour of Diego, stopped at the clothes and food markets then for dinner we went out for ‘street food’, it was amazing and everyone loved it. We spent the next day getting ready for departure with prep talks from our staff, then on the 3rd day we left at 7am. All of us and our bags squeezed onto one taxi-bus for a journey through some amazing scenery to where our zebu cart was waiting to take us on the final leg of the journey off road.
Camp is brilliant and not as basic as we all thought it would be. The walks vary a lot, one second you are walking through secondary forest, the next over large exposed hill tops. The wildlife is stunning - on the first day we saw lemurs and 2 snakes along with a huge variety of birds. Everything is very hands on and we are already handling snakes! And when we’re not working there might be time for a swim in the lagoon!
There is also a lot of interaction with the local community. On our second day we all went to see a traditional zebu fight (basically whoever can hold on to an angry zebu the longest wins!)
We are also having regular Malagasy lessons and people really appreciate it when you talk to them in their native tongue. Everybody is having a great time, and once you have adjusted to the heat you realise you wouldn’t want to miss this for anything!
Science Update
Settling into camp has gone well, our forest home is alive with wildlife in the wet season. Skinks and snakes are everywhere, birds abound and lemurs jump through the trees.
Introductory lectures and hands-on practical sessions are under way, with frogging becoming a staple in the wet weather. Heavy rain has poured down regularly, but we are quickly adjusting and our volunteers are doing a great job.
The president of the nearest village, Tsarakibany, invited us to a zebu fight, a very entertaining day of Malagasy culture, and is eager to continue English lessons in the local primary school focussing on environmental education.
This phase we are hoping to explore forest patches further afield than usual so will be building up our volunteers' knowledge of species IDs, and of course levels of fitness, for some challenging treks and sat camps.
Owls and amazing caves
Madagascar Forest - 1st December 2008
It’s crazy to realize that our 10 weeks on camp are over! The last few weeks have been so busy that time flew by incredibly quickly. In the last month, the beginning of the rainy season appeared, turning all the grasses and trees a bright lush green. Lots of lizards and tenrecs have also appeared and we’ve witnessed the enormous beauty and power of water. We went on two more satellite camps: one to a remote area about 2 hours from the current camp, where we explored some beautiful forest much less disturbed by humans, and the other to the nearby forest reserve of Ankarana. It was quite a trek but we saw some amazing caves and good examples of protected forest and would highly recommend it. We were also busy finishing off our BTEC work, with late night frog and owl surveys and early morning bird walks. We all successfully finished our log books and did our verbal presentations for the education and entertainment of the group.
We started our farewells by cooking a big dinner for the village president, the local landowner, and several other families from the local village that have helped us out in the last 10 weeks. The president also invited us to a new hospital opening party where the celebration included local rum, the sacrificial killing of zebu, and traditional Morangay fighting. It was sad to leave the forest behind, but we have returned to Diego and back to reality, confirming airline flights and singing our farewell songs with our fellow volunteers from the marine camp. So, here’s Will, Olivia, and Emily signing off and sending our thanks and thoughts to the Tsara teachers, Frontier staff, and the village of Tsarakibany.
Science Update
Science work has wrapped up for this phase, with the continued investigation of biodiversity in the dry, deciduous forests near Tsarakibany. In addition to standard surveys for birds, butterflies, and mammals, much of our science work has focussed on data collection for specific projects. We are currently investigating the effects of forest disturbance on abundance of chameleon species, by conducting timed nightwalks along riparian corridors and measuring levels of human disturbance as indicating by numbers of cut stems. Additionally, we focused efforts on mist-netting of bats to identify species composition and conducting observations of fruit bats in the area. The last couple weeks we have also collected data for the volunteers’ individual BTEC projects which included: comparing edge and interior forest birds, scops owl abundance in relation to patch size, and frog microhabitat comparisons.
This phase we had the opportunity to continue social surveys, revealing that the village of Tsarakibany greatly respects the forest and would consider agro-forestry options if they had the knowledge and resources. Our replanting scheme is an example of how they could start implementing a program of their own. We had plenty of other opportunities to understand the local culture, being invited to several celebrations with the village!
We finished off the phase by investigating several new sites as potential locations for future MGF field camps. We were delighted to find some nice examples of intact dry, deciduous forest, although accessibility and logistics proved difficult at some. The volunteers especially enjoyed the chance to see other forest patches and compare them to the area we currently work in. We now have to say goodbye to those loyal 10-weekers and await the new arrivals and the start of next phase in January, when we will continue our biodiversity survey work in this region.
Snakes, chameleons and leaping lemurs
Madagascar Forest - 1st October 2008
We started our week in Diego with the marine volunteers and teachers. We all got on really well and partied the night away. After our final hot shower, we climbed onto a taxi brousse for a bumpy ride before completing the journey to camp on foot.
It's unbelievable to think that so much has happened in such a short time. We've only been on camp a week but already having papaya is a luxury and catching snakes and chameleons is becoming the norm. Our resident lemurs have appeared most nights and are brightening up our evenings with incredible leaps from tree to tree.
But apart from the wildlife we've also seen some amazing costumes on party night, from a cross-dresser to a robot and two sexy sailors; Fred and Elyse from Diego university. They've been helping us adjust to the Malgassy way of life (don't point at chameleons or whistle at night) and teaching us the language.
Environmental awareness day in Tsarakibany
Frontier Madagascar - 1st September 2008
We hosted an environmental awareness day in Tsarakibany with the aim of creating a more sustainable way of life for the villagers and to protect the area's biodiversity. It was a fun day with musical chairs, bulldog and much more besides. Afterwards we all had a good laugh with a bit of dancing in the president's hut.
Completing our BTEC surveys has been very rewarding as well, finding literally hundreds of frogs and many chameleons. Chris even managed to find a leaf tailed gecko in the long drop!
As we reach the end of our time on camp, nobody wants to leave. However, we have had a great send off, firstly our five-hour hike to Mount Tabletop. The views and scenery were, quite simply, stunning.
Although, the best was still to come: our satellite camp was the awe-inspiringly beautiful national park of Montagne d'Ambre and the guide, Angelin, was an absolute legend, spotting animals left, right and centre. The highlight was 'Brookesia Tuberculata', a chameleon barely 3cm long.
Overall our time has been amazingly enjoyable, and I advise you all to get out here as well!
Memories to Treasure of Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 1st August 2008
A sombre mood grips the camp as the sun is setting on the final day of the four-weekers’ time on camp. Tomorrow they will depart for pastures new (aka the UK via diego!) Our time here has been a hot pot of joy and wonder. We have become at one with our new surroundings - especially Sam who has become ‘Man of the Forest’ and Kevin, ‘Master of the Axe’!
The whole experience has been fantastic and our group has gelled together as we’ve worked hard on a variety of different conservation projects. We’ve handled wild beasts, from the wild serpentine Leioheterodon madagascariensis to the amphibious Boophis brachychir and on their night-time ventures we have even had the pleasure of Sandford brown lemurs popping into camp to grace us with their presence.
A high point of the last four weeks has been our satellite camp to Sacred Lake where we saw crocodiles and managed to return with all fingers and toes! The locals were also kind enough craft jewellery for us from the bottle tops and tins that we’d used. We then spent a day and night at Ramena where we pitched our tents on the beach and fell asleep to an unforgettable starlit sky before awaking to an even more spectacular sunrise. Memories to treasure for sure!
Science Update
The first four weeks have allowed the volunteers to practise catching, handling and measuring animals whilst carrying out the first set of surveys to investigate changes in animal communities between the wet and dry seasons in the Tsarakibany region.
Pitfall traps were set up in one of the larger forest fragments to assess for small mammal and ground-dwelling reptiles. Several mammals including shrew tenrecs, mice and skunks were trapped, showing similar results to previous studies.
A four-day satellite camp was also undertaken, where volunteers were taken to the Sacred Lake to assess bird and reptile diversity in an area which is highly degraded by local agriculture and tourism. The bird survey was very successful, recording three species of heron, one of which is endemic to Madagascar.
The four-week volunteers are now ready to return to the UK, with three members of the team having successfully completed BTEC projects in tropical habitat conservation. With more volunteers arriving shortly the group will continue to work towards the project aims of creating a species list of the area and assessing the area in terms of similarities to the two nearby national parks. An environmental awareness day is also in preparation to present to the local community as well as the initial stages of our tree replanting scheme.
Bonding amongst the lemurs in Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 14th July 2008
After meeting in Diego, where we all swapped our crazy travel stories, we spent a couple of days getting to know each other before the group set out for camp extremely early in the morning. The taxi-brousse ride was an experience in itself - as we sat with the locals' babies and sacks of rice on our knees, the incredible landscape of Madagascar was revealed to us with its dramatic changes at every turn.
We then embarked on our 13 kilometre trek into camp, a time which really served to bond our group in the morning sun. Upon arrival, rice and beans awaited – the first of many – and while we continued to swap stories, with the lemurs grunting in the trees above, it hit us just how amazing it is to be here and we are all hungry for the sights, sounds and experiences that are awaiting us in the coming weeks (as well, of course, as our rice and beans!)
Science update
After the long, tiring trip to Madagascar and a few days spent in town recovering, the new arrivals were taken to camp down the long, dusty road to the small village of Tsarakibany. The forest research project then began with the students being taken on a series of orientation treks around the valley and surrounding forests. The students were introduced to the local president and the people of Tsarakibany during a welcoming evening in the village which involved traditional dancing and tasting the local rum! Enthusiasm has been high amongst the volunteers and they have quickly settled into outdoor living and general camp life.
The work programme so far has included a series of lectures given by the staff introducing the students to the animals they will be working with and the project aims that we are here to achieve. Snake, chameleon and frog handling and identification sessions have also begun with many of the animals taking every opportunity to escape from the hands of their captors! There is much to be learnt in the next few weeks and already the students are making good progress. The field work surveys will start in the next few days and hopefully we will be able to find some interesting species and work towards establishing a biodiversity estimation of the region.
Geckos and flying foxes in Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 1st June 2008
We are almost at the eight week stage now. Much has happened since the last update - including the departure of two of our favourite volunteers, the arrival of two local Malagasy University students, a new volunteer for the teaching programme and another new forest volunteer. Everyone has settled into camp life well and we are actually enjoying - yes, enjoying - rice and beans!
Our first major project was completed in the third week of phase, where pitfall traps and other trapping methods were set up in an area of forest known as the ‘Bat Roost’. The traps caught several small mammals and amphibians and the area was rich in other wildlife including lemurs, snakes and leaf-tailed geckos which were, literally, falling out of the trees!
Our Malagasy has improved greatly over the weeks, which is one of the reasons we have an excellent relationship with Tsarakibany, the nearby village where we help to teach English and conduct our socio-economic surveys on sustainable development. Providing party night isn’t too late the previous night, which it usually is, we play football against the villagers in a competitive, but enjoyable, match on Sundays.
We also went on a satellite camp, which was based near one of the lesser-known national Parks, Analamerana. Although the trek itself was hard, a 35km walk in the heat, crossing rivers and being mobbed by locals eager to see the ‘Vazaha’ (foreigners), it was well worth it! We saw troops of sportive lemurs and our first baobabs, as well as a glimpse of the elusive black sifaka. We also became terribly addicted to the local sugar cane - a much needed energy boost for the return journey.
The last few weeks of phase are dedicated to BTEC work and surveys for the Malagasy students, as well as finishing our second pitfall trap site. Our time here has been fantastic - the weather has been hot, the scenery breathtaking and the wildlife spectacular. It may sound very very clichéd but it truly is an experience we all shall never forget!
Science update
Science work has progressed well over the last eight weeks. The group has carried out two sets of bucket pitfall traps catching several mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The volunteers are now capable of identifying the majority of animals found and all have progressed rapidly with handling skills. The group has carried out many bird and butterfly surveys and has undertaken night walks in search of reptiles, finding several of the small brookesia species of chameleon. Several invertebrate searches have also been conducted and a high number of beetle species have been identified. Habitat surveys and GPS mapping have been successfully completed in the Tsarakibany valley.
Enthusiasm continues as several species, not previously recorded in the area, have been found including the beautiful bird species, Chaberts vanga and two new geckos. The capture of a tree boa and a ground boa also heightened spirits along with encounters with several leaf-tailed geckos, two harrier hawks and a large group of Madagascar flying foxes! We are also enjoying the occasional company of a troop of Sandford’s lemurs around base camp.
Socio-economic surveys have been successful, with volunteers finding out about what tree species are used from the forest by the local villagers to enable us to establish a sustainable tree-replanting scheme in the near future. The group has also experienced teaching English in the local school and have learnt some basic Malagasy, which is practiced during village parties and on the football field.
A three-day satellite camp was also carried out in the National Park at Analamerana. After many hours trekking we reached our destination and set up camp. We enjoyed exploring the surrounding forests and rivers viewing the incredible wildlife, including the black sifaka lemurs and beautiful landscapes that Madagascar has to offer.
Snakes and Ronan Keating in Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 1st May 2008
After many months of planning and several, surprisingly comfortable, flights we all arrived safely at long last in Madagascar! Our final destination was Diego Suarez in the north of Madagascar, where we stayed for a few days to acclimatise to our new tropical environment. After a brief rest, the staff showed us the colourful and laid back colonial town where we were able to visit the markets and sample local delicacies. Our favourite so far has been zebu, the local cattle.
Over the next few days there were health and safety talks, information about our new home, Madagascar, and general information on our camp and the conservation work we would be doing. However, it wasn’t all work as we had some time to chill out in our hotel and see something of the town, with evenings out. We had great fun singing along with the local bands to the fantastic Malagasy music as well as the sounds of Ronan Keating!
Departing to the field camps went smoothly. We got to experience a taxi brousse journey to the nearest town and then a relaxed walk to the forest camp. The journey was great with breathtaking views of our surrounding area as well as opportunities to see our first forest snakes and chameleons.
Camp itself is actually much better than we expected and we are all amazed and what you can do with rice and beans with a bit of imagination and creativity. The long drop (or toilet) is a sight to behold and is especially fun when you are there with frogs looking on inquisitively.
Since we arrived and settled into our forest home we have been learning all about camp duty: cooking, looking after camp and making sure we have enough water. Orientation is going well and we have now started our science lectures. The best part so far has been learning to handle the animals we will be working with. We found the snake handling a little tricky at first but we soon got used to it! We were also given an amazing bread making lesson by our local staff member, Edmond. We are looking forward to practising our new found skill.
We simply can’t wait for what is to come in the next ten weeks in our forest home.
Science
Once again deployment went incredibly well with a few days based in the local town of Diego Suarez to allow the new volunteers time to acclimatise and to give them vital information on health and safety as well as information on the vital conservation work they would be undertaking in our site in Northern Madagascar.
After an initial period of settling on camp in for our new volunteers we quickly began our science lectures and in particular learning the survey techniques we will be using over the next 10 weeks to survey the biodiversity of the area, this is essential to get the science work underway. We started our adventure with an orientation walk around the valley and learning how best to search for reptiles and amphibians without disturbing the local environment. The new volunteers are showing great promise as during our first search we found three species of snake and a very large chameleon!
Our Malagasy language skills are also improving quickly with daily lessons from our local interpreter – Romeo and we are all looking forward to meeting the local school children and village elders over a game of football later this week.
The group are working very well together and are quickly beginning to identify all the various animals of the forest. Next week we see the team beginning our first bucket pit fall trapsite in a new area of forest we haven’t researched before. We are hoping to find interesting fauna here especially with the presence of a large fruit bat roost nearby. This phase we will also be continuing GPS and habitat surveys of the area to improve our existing habitat use map of the local surroundings and of our closest village of Tsarakibany.
The time is already progressing quickly and enthusiasm is high and we are all looking forward to our first party night on camp with a fancy dress theme and a Malagasy dance lesson from the ever-popular Romeo. Lets see what the next few months bring.
Giant bats, boas and parties on Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 1st March 2008
Its week eight and all is well on forest camp! The science work is going particularly well and the species list is growing each week. The list has risen to an incredible 41 species of bird, 29 of butterfly, 5 chameleons, 12 snakes, 16 frogs, 3 geckos, 9 mammals and 1 skink.
It is also time to start our BTEC projects and due to the amazing diversity in this region there are a wide variety of projects to get involved in such as butterfly sweeping and bird walks. It seems that everyone is excited to be starting work they are particularly interested in and we now look forward to 10 days of intricate survey work.
There is plenty of exploration with regular walks to new places, which is exciting as we are the first to survey this area. This also means that we have the pleasure of naming each new place for are own personal use. There have been exploration walks to bat roosts where we also encountered the most amazing views of the surrounding areas. We have done two bucket pitfall traps, with the second one in progress, which is catching us a variety of exciting animals.
One of the highlights so far has been our interaction with the local village. We recently began teaching English to the local children and adults at Tsara Kibani vllage; resulting in the children repeating ‘hello' and ‘goodbye' every time we walk through the village which is lovely.
The villagers have been really welcoming and recently invited us to a party at the president's house, which included plenty of music and dancing. A few embarrassing moments did arise as we were all shown up by the children who were much better dancers! Other party nights often involve fancy dress, where arrays of costumes are fashioned including teenage mutant ninja turtles and bridal wear!
The food has been excellent on camp and we seem to have quite a lot of budding chefs in the making. Some of the meals we've had have included zebu stew, spaghetti bolognaise, curry, mango salad and a camp special, banana pudding.
One of the best things about camp that can be summed up by the words "mud fight", which is simply the best way to cool down and relax after a full day of surveys.
One thing left to say, WHY ARENT YOU HERE YET?
Science Update
We are coming to the end of week eight on the first phase in the region of Tsara Kibani. We are situated between two protected areas, the north west mountain rainforest of Montagne d'Ambre and in the south dry limestone karst of Ankarana. In the last eight weeks we have found 16 species of frog, 12 species of snake and 9 mammal species including 2 lemur species and many hedgehog and shrew tenrecs. Plus the bird and butterfly species diversity is very exciting. We now have a good estimate of the resident wildlife in terms of species diversity and individual abundances. There has been heavy rainfall for a few weeks, which has resulted in a boom in the wildlife even in the inhabited areas around camp!
During one rainy night, camp was filled with fireflies, flatid bugs that look like flying pink petals, chameleons lurking unnoticed in the trees, boas disturbing our party nights and moths with the wing spans of birds.
We have had a few enjoyable long hikes to the peak of hills in the area and roosting site of the flying foxes. These bats have a wingspan of almost a metre!
Over the remaining two weeks on phase we hope to find many animals including giant boas and more lemurs, which would contribute greatly to the volunteers BTEC projects. We are also looking forward to more social work with the village and teaching English to all the eager students at the village school.
Handling snakes in Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 1st February 2008
When our flight arrived in Diego, we stepped off the plane into what seemed like another world. Immediately the long journey became worth it as we breathed in the exotic sights and smells, and you could really feel the excitement amongst the group! All our sleepiness from the journey evaporated and it was a real adrenaline rush to enter our new surroundings- Diego immediately impressed us with its colour and energy, and the bay next to the town was absolutely gorgeous. We had a couple of days to explore our new surroundings and sample some of the irresistible Malagasy cuisine- but having had our group briefings with the Frontier representative, none of us could wait to get out to the field. We finally set off in taxi-brousse and, with the music on full blast, we headed for the wilderness.
Having arrived at the sun drenched camp hidden away in acres of lush forest, we moved our things into the sleeping hut and got to work. We dug the burn and bio pits, made a rain water collection, and put up our incredibly comfortable hammocks amongst the surrounding trees. It certainly wasn't all lazing in hammocks though- the next day we were immersed into the project training, learning how to handle Madagascan non venomous snakes, amphibians and other reptiles in preparation for the research activities. Having heard the atmospheric magic of the dawn chorus, we were all looking forward to completing our training with bird handling techniques, and by this stage we were certainly more excited than nervous about beginning the programme.
After each challenging but exhilarating day in the phenomenal and totally wild surroundings of the Malagasy forests, we would chill out at camp, write up our log books, and socialise. Some nights were party nights, with fancy dress theme events and even a Malagasy version of a pub quiz- by this point everyone in the group had really bonded and sharing this kind of incredible experience with like minded individuals has made us all feel really close.
This project really was a once in a lifetime experience that is totally unique- who could imagine that we would carry out a butterfly sweep and discover three entirely new species! It was an unforgettable moment and an amazing feeling to be looking at something that no one has recorded or even seen before. This shows what an incredible difference is being made here, and how the work contributes to the preservation of this unimaginably beautiful but fragile and threatened country- now we all can't wait to explore further afield!
Science Update
Forest Project Moves To Tsarakibani (which means ‘Good-bed'!)
Another phase on Forest Camp has begun in a new region to conserve. We are now based in between two starkly different climatic zones, to the north of camp lies Montagne D'Ambre - the summit always covered in mist and clouds that cascade down its green slopes of mountainous rainforest. In the flood plains of the smaller ridges south from it is our camp, with both rising humidity and temperature. South of us lies the Ankarana reserve renowned for its limestone karst / tsingy and dry desert conditions.
An enthusiastic bunch of research volunteers and the staff are astounded by how many creatures we've already come across! Already snakes, frogs and butterflies we've never seen before in Madagascar. The research area is ideally placed to see the change in species composition over the two interacting climatic zones. With many forest fragments we would love to find out if they make terrestrial islands of biodiversity or in fact work as a corridor between both the climatic zones. The weather is constantly rainy with at least 3 showers a day. Which is brilliant as all animals are crawling into camp - chameleons, litter dwelling and tree frogs, bush and field crickets, thousands of insects (especially fireflies at night)!
Next week we are planning to begin teaching English at the local village school, we will continue these to the end of phase and hopefully even after. The villagers in this region have already really made us feel at home and are extremely friendly.
With wildlife surveys just beginning in this area we are yet to explore the bat roost, crocodiles at the sacred lake and we also intend to go on a satellite camp to the wettest forest in our region on the doorstep of mountainous rainforest. We are looking forward to a highly fruitful and exciting phase!
Giant boas and hedgehog bread on Madagascar Forest
Madagasacar Forest - 3rd December 2007
In our nine weeks on camp we have all become very comfortable living on our beloved forest camp some of us have even become excellent bread makers; especially Gareth who has made hedgehog shaped bread and should probably start his own bakery when he returns to the UK. The food has even been better than expected with the local villagers of Ampombofofo sometimes bringing large sea fish or crab to camp, which Edmond makes marvellous meals out of, such as Madagascan Style Fried Fish...yum!
Above camp we have a wicked family of crowned lemurs that live in the mango trees, who often throw half eaten mangos at us. They also occasionally watch us use the longdrop, along with the chickens (from the village) and a pair of pygmy kingfishers, which can be quite off putting at first. The zebus from the village also regularly try to invade camp to eat all of our mangos, rice and beans, although we have three very cool guard dogs that chase them away! Even if they do keep us awake during the night in their valiant attempts.
We have done so many amazing things, during our time at forest camp; we have recently collected many coordinates of places such as the river that flows through camp, the forest, and the rice fields to make a map for the local village.
We are all now regularly catching lots of chameleons, snakes (which Sarah is very good at), butterflies, geckos, skinks, frogs, beetles, crabs and other wicked insects. Will (our new member of staff) caught a large Boa snake on his second day here, which was so amazing. We also recently visited Ankarana Special Reserve, where we saw lots of Sandford brown lemurs, a huge bat cave and a sea of limestone tsingy rock.
More recently we have carried out lots of habitat work on a few nearby mangrove forests. To relax after the survey work we either have a quick dip in the river or hang out in the hammocks. Plus as a special treat on our days off we all head for a day on a remote paradise beach, which is very beautiful and we all look forward to!
Leaving the forest camp is going to be very difficult but we have planned a trip to Amber Mountain National Park in December before we leave to return to the UK. Wow an amazing trip all round!
Science Update
It is week nine already and the rains have just begun! The volunteers have all finely honed skills and are veteran forest dwellers now. We have successfully completed two drift fence pitfall trap sites with many skinks and invertebrates recorded. A joint project with Frontier Madagascar's marine project was also begun this phase on mangroves; it is now well underway with loads of extensive data sampling already completed (2kmsq over 3 days!).
The transition in climate from dry to wet season has brought sudden trends in faunal composition in our study areas with some species being more elusive now by retreating to deeper forest and some literally spilling out of forest into all available greenery. A few showers can certainly change survey catch rates! The Madagascar red fody has returned in breeding plumage which more than lives up to its name. As have the pygmy kingfishers and broad billed rollers.
The rains have brought alive the landscape, if an animal is not breeding or nesting it is birthing its young - crowned lemurs and zebu cattle alike! More reptiles and amphibians are found everyday. Snakes are everywhere - the biggest being a massive 1.74m ground boa found just recently in a rice paddy field by our new staff member Will.
It has been entertaining (try - hilarious) to watch the volunteers become expert sweep netters of butterflies over the past 9 weeks. The strangest invertebrate find of the phase so far has been a bizarre blue and red foot-long stick insect!! So taken were we by it that we are still trying to work out the evolutionary advantages to being this conspicuous in mating regalia.
The forest surprises us day and night as do the crazy antics of our resident crowned lemur troop. We know it will only get better as it gets rainier and lush here for the remaining time on phase!
Raining chameleons in Madagascar Forest
Madagascar Forest - 20th October 2007
I can't believe we've only been in Madagascar for two weeks - so much has happened already and camp feels just like home.
Now we've completed the science lectures and handling lessons in the first few days of camp, the whole group has been out catching a vast array of animals. Chameleons have been raining out of the trees and the resident lemurs on camp are thoroughly amazing playing and leaping overhead from dawn ‘til dusk.
This week saw the first bucket trapsite dug in - although it was very hard work team morale brought us through to complete ‘buckets in', and there are high hopes for lots of incredible creatures, who knows maybe even a new species for the list!
Already during the first two weeks we have seen over 20 species of reptiles and so many birds and butterflies we don't know where to look. As well as working at the trapsite we have also begun doing work at the tidal mangrove forests. One of the most exciting things about working at the mangrove forest is the incredible bat roost that is nearby - there are over 1000 fruit bats in one small area, they are so huge it is amazing to see them fly overhead and they make one heck of a racket!
The mangrove work is great fun even though we all get back to camp caked from head to toe in mud. This is when we really appreciate the river that runs close to camp and everyone enjoys nothing more than cleansing our tired limbs in the tranquil waters with only birds and lemurs for company.
I'm sure our animal catching skills will only improve during phase and we still have so much to see - roll on the next 8 weeks!
Science Update
The first weeks have flown-by and everyone is already accustomed to camplife. So far, everyone has made great progress identifying local wildlife and we have even had volunteers catching their first snakes.
Week one was spent acclimatising and learning new skills such as collection methods, species identification and recording techniques. The first of two pitfall trap sites was also set up. Data from this site is extremely useful, as it will complete an annual record of ground-dwelling species in this area of secondary forest. The traps are checked twice daily, but with the exception of a few skinks and a few dozen scorpions, there has been little caught owing to the prevailing dry conditions.
In week two, along with the pitfall collections, survey work began at the nearby mangrove site. This is a new habitat for the forest team to investigate and results indicate this to be an interesting and scientifically profitable area of research. Surveying will continue for the next few weeks, with the main aim to estimate potential biodiversity and biomass of the area.
Bird walks and night walks have also provided interesting results, as has butterfly sweeping, which seems to be a popular activity among those with lots of excess energy! Few amphibians and reptiles have yet to be found, however, as the wet season approaches, we are all looking forward to watching the forest transform before us.
Finally, the ‘food science' is coming along nicely. It's amazing how much variety can be obtained from beans and rice! We were all therefore very grateful for our first taste of mango crumble (although we had to fight the lemurs for the mangos), thanks to the talent and labour of Logistics Manager, Steve. The team are now looking forward to the first camp party this weekend, coinciding with Rosie's birthday, to be followed with a well-earned day off at the beach on Sunday.
Welcome Ceremonies for Madagascar Forest
Frontier - 31st August 2007
August Update
As we draw to the end of the dry season this has been a spectacular phase for many reasons: from the camping trip to the rainforest of Montagne D’Ambre to the welcoming ceremony performed by the local village of Ampombofofo. After the first 4 weeks of hardcore science training in catching snakes, chameleons, geckos, butterflies and much more, our skills and confidence have flourished thus adding immeasurable amounts to our experience here.
After the first four weeks we were rewarded with the magical chance to spend two nights camping under the stars surrounded by the primary rainforest of Montagne D’Ambre. During our time there we saw many species that are endemic to the mountain including the Amber Mountain rock thrush, mouse lemurs, dwarf chameleons and the elusive fossa.
On the return to camp we were welcomed as usual the by resident troop of crowned lemurs who inhabit the ripening mango trees around camp. Early into the next week of surveys, upon a night walk, we sighted a species of mouse lemur thus increasing our lemur species list for the area. The very next day our luck continued with the capture of the smallest species of chameleon (not to mention one of the smallest vertebrates on planet earth) with a total length of 2.8 cm.
Since the return to camp 2 trap sites have been completed and our hard work paid off with the discovery of a potential new species of snake. The snake was found in a trapsite set within acacia forest and differs from other similar species by the black head and lack of white colouration of the under-scales. This was very exciting as we hope to have the snake confirmed as a new species in the near future. Work with trap sites is still in progress and although it is hard work it is well worth the effort, providing seasonal data, species abundance and ecological information on species niche requirements.
We’ve also just learned that our captures from last phase (and again this phase) of the cryptic legless skink, are (according to available literature) the 3rd and 4th encounters of this particular species EVER!!!
One of our enthusiastic budding ornithologists confirmed the presence of the grey- headed lovebird, which again increases our ever-growing bird species list for the area. As if we haven’t been spoilt enough we were also astounded with the sightings of endangered turtles and whales offshore from the coastal forest.
To top it all off, perhaps the highlight of the phase was the welcoming ceremony performed by the village that was meant to seek the village ancestors’ permission to allow us to conduct our scientific programme in the area. The ceremony was a traditional affair with prayers and speeches made by village elders and members of Frontier Madagascar staff. One staff member conducted his speech in Malagasy to the delight and approval of the village elders. The day was topped off with another tradition, a Frontier v. the local village football match. Needless to stay the village won but this was not down to any lack of effort from the Frontier staff or volunteers.
All in all it has been a truly memorable phase with events that will stay with everyone for the rest of their days.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 31st July 2007
It’s only been 10 days since we arrived in this very interesting area of Ampombofofo in the very tip of Madagascar. We arrived with great enthusiasm and full of energy in record time (2.5 hrs) trekking from the coastal village Ambanililakely, where we landed after a smooth boat ride across Diego Bay at dawn. We soon settled into our surprisingly comfortable camp, which exceeded our expectations; we even have some luxuries including chocolate and ‘Cracky.’ We actually have some really good chefs among us so all is good camp-wise. The food is so good that even the zebu cattle keep breaking into our camp looking for food, but our camp dogs Puppy and Boophis do a pretty good job chasing them away. We’ve also had our first camp party of the phase: a “vicars and tarts” theme that produced some hilarious costumes made from very limited resources! It was a great icebreaker and many lifelong friendships (and more) were forged that night! Everybody is extremely enthusiastic about exploring this area properly since the first sighting and immediate queuing for photographs of a chameleon. Now we need to keep our spirits up and be patient while we search for the smallest chameleon, the Brookesia minima in the leaf litter at our trapsite in primary forest. We have already learnt a lot about surveying and habitat description and we get our feet wet and scratched a lot in the mangroves. It’s pretty cool, though, and great fun as there is so much to see! It’s been really windy recently but on days when the morning is calm the birding is fantastic and the dawn chorus beautiful. We are also now accustomed to the lemurs that live above our camp and keep us entertained on a daily basis with their antics, although I think they are just as amused by us! So far it’s been a great experience: hands-on science work, good long walks across different habitats, and now we are all very busy and immersed in our BTEC projects. I can’t wait to see what else we will discover! It’s very special to be in this place, on this fascinating island.
Science Update
We’ve just entered into the fourth phase of our exciting forest research program in the north-east Babaomby region at the very top of Madagascar, just about half a day trek south of the northern point of the island—Cap D’Ambr—yet we actually are in full swing of it, closing up one year of researching this fascinating forest and surrounding habitats, being based close to the village Ampombofofo in the Andranovondronina Province. The winter (including strong winds from the Indian Ocean) is in full swing, which also means that the trees in Madagascar’s dry deciduous forest shed their deciduous leaves and the lack of water on the ground and in the air slows down the majority of wildlife activities. Still, since we arrived on camp, we keep on finding big-eyed snakes, two new snake species, as well as abundant striped snakes. The river at Ampombofofo has also yielded to the initial excitement, the critically-endangered green mantilla frog on one hand and the gigantic introduced bull frog. Green geckos commonly inhabit many immediate areas of camp. We often spot them in the forest during the daytime. The nights, however, are the far most rewarding observational times (also full of wildlife photography opportunities) with panther chameleons and geckos, including the massive velvet gecko Although slow on the reptile and mammalian side, with the exciting exception of the biggest carnivore fossa sightings (this is the second time in the region recorded by our local interpreter) and the prospect of spotting the humpback whales on migration in the Indian Ocean, the bird activity is the far most dominating now. Magpie robins start up the morning choir at 5:30 sharp, joined by the crested drongos, crested couas and Madagascar coucals, Madagascar hoopoes, green pigeons, paradise flycatchers, common newtonias, souimanga sunbirds, hooked-billed and sickle-billed vangas and often the (by now well habituated) crowned lemurs (sometimes even ahead of the first magpie robin). There seems to be a lot of bird-love in the air, besides the recently- observed true lovebirds (grey headed lovebirds). The paradise flycatchers, of which the two colour forms (a rufous and a black & white have to spend quite some effort in the competition for their ladies). Also the sakalava weavers seems to be returning to their old nesting colony hang up on a single tree right in the middle of the village. With great excitement we recently added the ashy cuckoo shrike on our list, while the IUCN-listed crested Ibis is still wanted.
We also completed a highly successful satellite camp in the Andranovondronina area. The team returned full of positive spirit and motivation to complement our species lists with quick assessment yielding, among others, quite a masculine ground boa, 40 critically-endangered mantilla frogs and a long lists of several invertebrate groups and a good bird list as a result of surveying the Ambilanibandra forested hill on the west coast of the Babaomby peninsula. Our interactions with the village of Ampombofofo are now directed to progressing their plans for an association and to facilitate their application for funding. Only a few days ago the overall management plan for the region was implemented during a ceremonial handover of the management to the locals (this was accompanied by a vivid village party that went on for couple days).
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st June 2007
Since mid-phase Steve (the legendary volunteer research officer) caught a chameleon which was smaller than anyone could expect: even a match stick end seemed huge compared to it!
The team also had an amazing party night. The theme was cartoon characters and surprisingly the team created amazing costumes from their limited resources. Everyone was there from Wilma and Betty from the Flinstones to Aladdin and his monkey Abu! Party night also included the tribal court, but this time there was a tie so a rap battle took place to decide the loser.
On one day the group went to the "perfect beach" for the second time. This was a great way to relax even though I think we all got too much sun, but some lazy river racing took place which was hilarious. Also, today the team did a dawn walk to the tallest hill in the area. The walk up the hill wouldn't be my personal choice of activity to do at 5am, but when we got to the top the views were amazing and really worth it.
Since mid-phase the lemurs that hang around camp have been getting bolder, providing the team with some great photo opportunities. A Stenophis snake has also been collected which is a first this phase, which is really great for Frontier's species list. Ground boas which are a Red-Listed species seem to be in high abundance lately which is great to see. The team is also looking forward to the arrival of the new Research Officer, who we call Mishka but is really called Martina, who is coming to camp in a couple of days!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st April 2007
Last night we were rudely awaken by a group of 15 crowned lemurs at 2am. One RA was especially rudely awoken when one lemur decided to urinate above his hammock! Most nights on camp are peaceful, though, with just the sound of insects and frogs.
During the last couple of days we have set up trap sites which have yielded skinks and frogs. During casual collection a few snakes and chameleons are collected each day (after volunteers had been trained in methods of capture). As well as reptiles and frogs there is a magnificent array of birds in the area. Early morning walks are especially useful for collecting bird species and night walks on the other hand prove ideal for reptile sampling, which are not so well camouflaged in torch light!
Camp duty in the mangrove forest has become a bit of a competition. Each days volunteers try to produce a different culinary masterpiece to the previous attempts. It's amazing how far a little imagination can go and how far we can use our limited resource to make delicious meals!
This week will end with an exciting football game against the local village followed by a bit of a camp party though we still have to come up with this week's fancy dress theme!
Science Update
This is our third phase researching the region surrounding the village of Ampombofofo and the area continues to impress us with its beauty and diversity. We have been on our little camp for over a week now and have almost completed one of the five trap-sites that will be conducted during Madagascar. Our first trap-site is being conducted in a secondary Acacia forest about a 45-minute walk from camp. We use this form of sampling, alongside other sampling methods, to capture fossorial species that otherwise would go unrecorded. Such animals include the burrowing skink Amphiglossus intermedius. We have already caught this species as well as the poison dart frog Mantella viridis in our trap-site (but don't worry this species isn't poisonous to us!).
We have continued our baseline biodiversity surveys consisting of herptofaunal searches, bird walks, butterfly sweep-netting and vegetation plotting. We aim to create a comprehensive species list and now have an impressive 37 species of reptiles, 11 species of frogs, 65 species of birds, the vulnerable crowned lemur and 43 species of butterfly found in the area. We are working in areas where there are two coastal primary forests types, distinguished by their geological foundations. This phase will also focus on a comparative study of the faunal composition between these two habitat types.
Our research assistants are now keen snake spotters and reptile handlers. They can identify birds by their calls and measure the difference between the tympanum diameter and the eye diameter in frogs, mastered the art of a steady hand, useful when counting the scales between gecko's eyes.
As this is the third phase we are focusing much of our research on the potential sustainable management plan for the forest and the areas of resource used by the village. Along with discussions with the village heads we are continuing our great relationship with the village with English lessons and football games. Much to the horror of the Frontier boys Ampombofofo was victorious on their game against our camp, winning 7-4. Needless to say the village boys were pretty chuffed.
So far this phase is looking like an extremely productive research period with a great group of research assistants and a beautiful area to be working in.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st January 2007
It's the wet season here in Madagascar and the forest is green and lush. We have snakes and frogs coming out of our ears at the moment! Every night the cheeky lemurs come to sleep in the mango trees overhead and if you're noisy they will reply with a well-aimed mango followed by a grunt and a scream. At night we can bathe in the nearby river that meanders slowly through the forest, past the nearby village of Ampofofo and past our own camp. With the rains the river is now flowing and makes for the best outdoor bathing spot in the world! In the evening, the birds swoop down to the water to drink and the lemurs leap from the branches overhead.
With the rains has come a dramatic increase in the level of the river - perfect for bathing and trying to be the first to spot the elusive and highly endangered crested ibis! You have to be prepared not to be too bashful when bathing as it is almost guaranteed that you will be being watched by a small audience of lemur. Every day our camp is visited by all sorts of lemur species and at night they come down from the treetops to grunt and make a fuss at us before throwing all the fruits of the forest at us if we are too noisy. It's worse than being in the classroom with an angry teacher!
Once a week we have a party night. This is a great chance to let our hair down and relax with a few beers and a different theme each time. The camp is now luxurious as we have built a new research assistant hut, raised off the ground with its own veranda outside and raised sleeping platforms inside! New arrivals have entered the camp; a lonely river turtle appeared last week to say hi and the newly christened "Andy....(Fordham)" the enormous boisterous bull frog is confusing Bufus the camp dog with his ridiculously loud "croak"! Oh and the Frontier forest best 11 maintain their unbeaten record for the Saturday afternoon footy match with Ampofofo!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st November 2006
Since our mid-term break to the nearby Manta camp at their awesome beach we've achieved loads in Ampombofofo. We've caught and measured several species of rare snake (including a possible new species), skinks, geckos, chameleons and amphibians. Our last trap line even yielded 3 hedgehog tenrecs. Even though we've only been here 8 weeks the species list is already beginning to rival Montagne des Français, which everyone's really hyped about.
Our last two party nights have been really entertaining. We made a twister board which was nearly as hilarious as the mud-wrestling! Before the festivities started we managed the locals at a football match, 8-6. Go team Frontier!
I can't believe 8 weeks have gone already and we have to say goodbye to some of our chums. The time here has flown by and I'll really miss the chilled atmosphere of Madagascar. Hopefully our last trap line will be fruitful and maybe we'll even see a fossa.
Science Report
Recently we have had the first few rainy days of the year signifying the start of the rainy season. Rather than bringing a dreary mood to camp, the weather has brought great excitement as every time it rains we get new species to add to our species list. After the first rains we caught a hedgehog tenrec in one of our bucket traps, the third mammal to be added to our species list along side the crowned lemurs (which are now camp residents eating the mangos in the trees above) and the black rats that are caught in the Sherman traps. The second rains bought out two new species of the genus mantella (the brightly coloured tree frogs) as well as three species of snakes of the genus stenophis. This has added to our species list currently consisting of 10 species of gecko, 17 species of snake, 5 species of frogs, 3 species of chameleons, 4 species of skinks, 22 species of butterflies and 45 species of birds, all of which we have found to be present here in just 8 weeks.
The rains have also brought the forest to life in terms of flora. The once leafless deciduous forest has started to come into leaf allowing the individual tree species to be identified. The forest contains many species of the families Euforbiaceae, Fabaceae as well as Pachypodiums and Baobabs and is now thoroughly green and lush. Many of the orchids have also begun to flower and it is hoped that orchid surveys will begin in the forest next phase in order to get an understanding of the diversity of these beautiful flowers in the area.
The English lessons in the village are continuing and we are currently trying to teach the locals the English names for the forest animals. This has led to some fantastic animal impressions from the RA's during the lessons and much laughter amongst the locals!
The socio economic work is also continuing, we have interviewed all but 9 families in the village and hope to have spoken to all members of Ampombofofo before the end of phase. The socio economic work is proving highly valuable in terms of understanding past and present forest management as well as understanding how the locals feel about the forest as a resource.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st October 2006
Only three weeks into the project and already so much has happened! We spent first few days in Diégo sampling the local cuisine and learning to dance Malagasy style (everyone should try it at least once!).
The journey to camp gave us our first tantalising glimpses of what was to come: a shark, chameleon, day gecko and snake, not forgetting the huge black, white, and red butterflies. Since then we've seen, and learnt to handle, lots more reptiles (some of us even have the bite marks as trophies).
Camp life is brilliant! Everyone has got on really well and are learning lots of new skills like being creative in cooking rice and beans, and have been involved in really interesting biodiversity projects with new species. Also, we're sharing camp with a troop of lemurs who every day get braver and braver until now we can almost reach out and touch them. However, they do remain committed to precision-bombing the site with their poo! It's surreal!
On other news, we've drawn 0 - 0 on the first football match against the local village team. Unfortunately, the taller chaps among us have nosebleeds from low branches. We've learnt and gained a degree of skill in spotting and capturing chameleons, geckos and snakes.
Staff are fun, friendly and really helpful. Best of all, the wildlife only seems interested in biting them!
Frontier has been an experience I would recommend to anyone!!!
Science Update
For phase 064, the Madagascar forest project has moved from Montagne des Français to a new location where a new camp has been set up. The new camp is located near to the village of Ampombofofo, a small village that lies to the north of the bay of Diego in the very northern tip of Madagascar. The village can be reached via zebu car tracks, however, the Volunteers began their phase with an exciting boat ride from Diego to the coastal village of Ambalilakely, and they were then faced with a challenging 4 hour walk through the hills, passing through the larger village of Anjiabe.
Upon arrival the Volunteers set about building the camp (with a lot of help from Edmond, our local staff member) which consists of one large volunteer hut, a kitchen area, a kitchen table, science tent and staff area, as well as digging the long drop and burn and bio pits.
The location was found during a reconnaissance trip conducted during inter-phase to the area previously explored by the Frontier Madagascar expedition team 063. The camp is located next to a river under a canopy of mango trees. The area was chosen due to the presence of large areas of primary dry deciduous forest which makes it a particularly exciting area to study, especially considering the lack of biological surveys that have been conducted in the area. Other habitats present include secondary forest, scrubland, a large lake (currently dry), riparian habitats and mangrove forests.
A total of five trapsites have been planned in areas of forest for this phase. The trapsites are checked, baited and reset twice daily, other day time activities consist of active herp fauna survey, butterfly sweep net surveys, amphibian searches and bird surveys. Night time surveys consist of mammal surveys, amphibian surveys and herp fauna surveys.
Coming to the end of week 4 we already have a substantial species list which includes 40 species of bird, 15 species of butterflies, 10 species of snake (including the new liophidium species that is currently being described by Frontier), 7 species of gecko, 2 species of shirk, 5 species of frog and two species of mammal-crowned lemurs and black rats.
The forest project is also planning to start socio-economic surveys in the village of Ampombofofo in order to fully understand the pressures on the forest and how the local people view and manage the forest. This work will be conducted by talking to members of the village and has not yet started as it is necessary to build up a good relationship with the villagers prior to beginning this work with them. This is being achieved through regular football matches and English lessons which have proved extremely popular with many members of the village attending.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st August 2006
We landed in Deigo Suarez on the 30th of June to blazing sunshine and a crazy bus journey to the hotel in the town centre. Diego is a great city with very friendly people, especially when surrounded by two hundred of them whilst watching England drop out of the world cup on a big screen in the city square. It was very important to fill up on the local cow, called Zebu, before being deployed to the field where it was rice and beans for lunch and dinner from then on!
The first four weeks of the project was spent outside Diego mapping and identifying a large section of mangrove forest that is being steadily deforested by the locals for charcoal. Spending four weeks wading around in mud isn't so bad when you live on a golden sandy beach looking out onto the blue water of Diego Bay; a great view in the morning and a refreshing bath in the evening! After the mangroves it was up to the forest for a bit of shade under the trees, where we were lulled to sleep by the sound of crowned and sportive lemurs in the trees above. Forest life is dominated by how many snakes, lizards and chameleons we can catch. None of them are poisonous but a few like to bite (especially the two-metre-long Leioheterodon snake, which only the very brave handled).
Camp duty consists of staying on camp every few days to clean and cook and gives everyone a chance to use our tasty herbs and spices to liven up rice and beans. We did manage to make caramel and chocolate cake near the end of phase too. The night before each rest day is party night: with music from various peoples' iPods, beer from the camp bar and everyone in fancy dress it is very difficult to not join in the hilarities!
Although tiring, work is too enjoyable for us to actually consider it as work. Everyone in our group is such great fun and our friendships are what has helped us get through the long time away from home. As an added bonus, at the end of it all everyone is now thinner, fitter and tanned. What more could you ask?
Within the field we have been conducting faunal diversity surveys on butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, birds and arachnids. We have completed two of the three trapsites consisting of pitfall traps dug into the ground and Sherman traps (for mammalian captures), which are checked in the mornings and the evenings. After a relatively easy first trapsite the second trapsite proved a little more strenuous. The trapsite was located in a valley on the other side of the camp and so each day the RAs and staff scaled a mountain to reach the sites. This two times a day = fit and lean RAs!
Our collections have proven very successful to date. Seven species of snake have been caught including the very beautiful and fascinating leaf-nosed/twig-nosed snakes Langaha madagascarensis and Langaha pseudoallaudi. We also have caught a species of legless lizard that has not been collected before during Frontier's research in Montagne des Francais. 37 species of birds have been identified including the illuminating Blue Vanga and Paradise Flycatcher. During our amphibian searches we have collected amongst others the endemic frog Mantella. We have had some interesting mammalian captures in our Sherman traps including the very cute Tuff-tailed rat. Unfortunately deforestation continues in Montange des Francais for charcoal production which highlights the importance and need for management and protection strategies within the area.
During our night walks we have spotted the beautiful mouse lemur and sportive lemur. Each night we fall asleep to the screams of the crowned lemurs that jump through the trees in camp. As well, we have caught the amazing leaf-tailed gecko Uroplatus henkel, a favourite with the RAs. We continue our chameleon captures and now have 3 species - Furcifer pardalis, Furcifer petteri and Furcifer oustaleti. Each of the RAs have now successfully caught a chameleon and we are yet to get bitten !
We continue our English lessons in the local village, Andavakeora, and there seems to be great progress - especially in the littlies! As we walk into village we hear an echoing "Hello, how are you?" to which we answer "Fine thank you. Mbola Tsara, Ino vaovao?" We have also played three very tense football games against the village and are now undefeated champions (and constantly asked for rematches!).
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st July 2006
We have just returned to the main forest camp after our first four weeks of surveying which were conducted in the Bay of Diego. There, we spent the time camped next to the beach with a stunning view out over the ‘Pain de Sucre', Diego's modest equivalent to ‘Sugar Loaf Mountain in Brazil', although as the sun sets over the bay and the harsh light of the tropics fades in to a golden glow the substitute is more than acceptable. The survey work that we were doing was challenging but very rewarding, as we managed to survey the entire mangrove area. Having learnt how to identify the mangrove trees to the species level thanks to our science gurus we set about mapping the distribution of different species within the area using our newfound knowledge and the ever-handy GPS. Not only does that mean that we've become very familiar with mangroves but also that we will be able to help write up some of the study over the coming weeks as part of a long term survey programme in the region.
While sleeping on the sand under the stars was great, we are now back in the forest proper, and have exchanged the lapping of waves for the screeching of lemurs that visit the camp every morning. We have already become familiar with the Crown Lemurs that frequent the camp, and are hoping to see more mouse lemurs and possibly a glimpse of the timid aye-aye over the coming weeks. After the respite of the mid-phase break, a much appreciated two days of food and hot showers, we returned to the project and the move up to the forest camp. The site is very nicely settled into a stunning canyon and after an initial day of lugging kit around we were able to go for a reconnaissance of the area which included a trip up to the plateau above camp to see a magnificent panorama of the bay including the mangroves we'd been struggling in for the past month!
We are hoping to catch a range of small reptiles and invertebrates in these traps as well as catching butterflies and small mammals in other traps located close to the buckets. Everything that we catch will be identified and will go towards helping the area's protection from charcoal production.
The group has bonded really well and despite all being very different we have been able to have a lot of fun both during the survey work and also on the odd party night. We have also bonded really well with the local staff, who, despite the odd communication difficulty have been able to look after us and guide us on our way not least in the kitchen where they seem to be able to convert rice and beans in to a gourmet meal every time.
June 2006
We don't want to go home! Having spent the last 10 weeks walking all over the Montagne des Français, we are definitely NOT ready to go home! This phase we have been doing GPS mapping and have got to see large areas of the massif, spent two weeks at a satellite camp doing "adventure" night-walks and successfully taught party phrases (as well as more everyday phrases) to the local village.
We have had three local men living on camp doing guide training and this has proven to be a great opportunity to practice our Malagasy. They have been very involved with all aspects of camp life, including party nights, when JJ took great pleasure in drawing all over Super Gs face with permanent marker!
We have worked hard but played hard too, with a football match against the local village (we won - but perhaps only because the guides played for us too), a staff-RA sports day, which the staff won (the guides won it for them really!) and the now traditional end of phase tarp sliding!
Although we had a fantastic phase, everyone on camp and in the local village was very sad to say goodbye to Mama Mofo, who left towards the end of phase after a year on camp. We miss you Mama.
This phase, we've continued to carry out biodiversity assessments across the massif, involving a two week satellite camp in a new area of the mountain where we caught a tufted-tail rat and had crowned lemurs on camp every evening.
We have also been mapping forested areas of the mountain and recording the location of charcoal burning and crop cultivation, as well as mapping tourist trails.
To prepare for an increased number of tourists visiting the mountain once it becomes a protected area in the very near future, we have begun to train guards. Three local men have been living and working with us on camp, learning the names of the animals in English and French, as well as their scientific names. They have made excellent progress and are due for certification by ANGAP in the coming months.
Back on base camp we have broken the record set last phase, catching a total of 133 snakes, including many not seen during the rains last phase. The long drop continues to be THE place to catch a tree boa!
For a few days early in the phase we were lucky to be visited by a colony of Madagascar flying foxes, which roosted in trees on base camp.
Thanks to a lot of hard work from RAs and staff alike, phase 062 has been very successful, with new areas of work bringing together everything that has been achieved by Frontier on the Montagne des Francais to date.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st April 2006
It's a boy! The first definite sexing of a male snake since arrival on camp was just one of many wildlife highlights so far. Thirty-three snakes have been captured already, more than the last phase's records, which we are really rather pleased about! Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (our three camp ducks) have been snacking on watercress and trying unsuccessfully to fly with the other birds in the canyon. We made our first walk up to the plateau today, from where we could see both ends of the canyon; we also visited two caves, which was an amazing experience. Our staff and guides have been wonderful. Our informal English lessons in the local village are going very well, with the children continuing to show us up as they are picking up English a lot quicker than we are picking up Malagasy. Proving that style isn't incompatible with in a forest, all the RAs recently took part in a fashion show, with Tim the clear winner as he charmed the judges with his dancing. The whole evening was a hilarious success!
Now 2 weeks into phase MGF062, we have so far been highly successful at spotting and capturing the fauna of Montagne des Français. To date we have caught thirty-three snakes, including two leaf-nosed snakes and five boas. Our night walks have been exciting, having spotted mouse lemurs, northern sportive lemurs and lots of chameleons. As well as our faunal studies we have just started training three local villagers as guides for the up-and-coming tourism to the mountain and commenced English lessons in the village.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st February 2006
The chameleons here on Montagne de Francais would put hippy colour charts to shame. We've made some fascinating animal discoveries lately, including new species of chameleon, skink and bird and after 5 weeks not only are we all masters of snake catching but we're well past our 50th snake and on course for our 100 snake phase! The lemurs around camp, though cute and amazing, have a rather annoying habit of hurling half-eaten mangoes at us, though Puppy, our very own furry four-legged creature, is a valuable team member.
We were very sad to send off Shimsham and Gracie-P, our two four-weekers, and judging by the fact that they were also quite sad to leave, we would like to recommend that everyone apply for the full 10 weeks!
Contrary to popular opinion, we are still coping very well with rice and beans (we work our appetites up every day!) and especially enjoy complementing meals with watercress picked fresh from the stream on camp, or mangoes, papaya or lime from further down the canyon. It's amazing what you can create with the basic ingredients!
Frolicking in the canyon with butterfly nets and combing the forest with head-torches in search of sleeping chameleons can only be rivalled by the hilarious Nouvelle Hotel Club in Diego - which has to be seen to be believed!
Oh yeah, and the staff are pretty cool too!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st January 2006
After a long but cheerful journey we finally arrived at camp and set up home next to a beautiful river surrounded by butterflies. On the first morning we were awoken by ring-tailed lemurs, who have made regular appearances ever since, usually at about 5 am.
We put in our first three lines of pit fall traps, the only pitfall being that nothing seemed to get trapped in them when Neil was around. The morning Neil stayed behind, however, we caught a musk shrew, a turtle, a blind snake, lots of frogs and even a tenrec, a Malagasy version of a hedgehog. We found that a successful tactic is to just stay at camp and wait for things to come to us. This has led to the capture of numerous snakes and a frog that promptly regurgitated a live chameleon, which in turn produced a caterpillar from its mouth!
The route to the pit fall does, however, pass an idyllic pool, which makes visiting the empty buckets slightly more worthwhile. That is, until torrential rain and stormy weather completely defeated the purpose of going for a swim! This phase turned into a proper expedition, complete with the excitement and drama that natural ‘disasters' can create, and a real test of our resilience. Both satellite and base camp watched their camps float away down newly formed rivers, and trekked back to civilisation ‘Ray Mears survival style', hitching lifts on the local pirogues, and practising our bush-craft! Real field-work and expeditions are always subject to nature and the weather, and the true test of working in these conditions is how you cope and adapt. We all made it back safely and with renewed and proven faith in our capability
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st December 2005
The last trapsite marked the final period of biodiversity surveying within the Southern Mikea. Biodiversity survey work has been particularly intense this phase with particular emphasis being placed upon confirming the presence/absence of species not previously recorded in our lists for the region. We have now received confirmation that the mongoose we trapped on Sat Camp 2 is indeed a narrow striped mongoose - an important find which represents a large range extension for the species. Another dwarf chameleon has been trapped, and as it is not a common species for the area we took it along to our schools presentation in the village of Andoharano-morafeno to show the children. It is interesting to note that none of the children, nor indeed the adults, had ever seen this species before or were aware that dwarf chameleons exist.
Bird survey work continues to be extremely productive with further sightings of the Madagascar crested ibis, of particular interest as this species is absent from the south and uncommon in the south west. We also spotted Lafresnaye's vanga, adding to our species list.
We have begun our socio-economic work and intend to spend most of the remaining week on camp undertaking this. We are interested in building up a record of hunting activities and the harvesting of timber and non-timber forest products. This data will supplement our biodiversity data set and allow us to build a better understanding of the pressures existing in this important area of gallery and dry deciduous forest.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st November 2005
Nestled in the semi-humid dry deciduous forest that covers the French Mountain here in northern Madagascar, the Madagascar Wilderness Project continues to carry out its baseline survey in this beautiful, highly biologically diverse but threatened location.
After an initial few days of adjustment, life in the forest settled down to normal: that is, as close to 'normal' as life can be out here! We awaken shortly before dawn every day and, after a leisurely breakfast, set off into the forest. Most of us agree that no matter which activity we undertake (be it checking the trapsite, chasing butterflies or conducting bird-walks) that early morning is the most enjoyable part of life out here. After all, wildlife is what brought us to this island in the first place.
Just after lunch, during the intense heat of a tropical midday, most of us generally find a moment or two (well okay, an hour) to spend in a hammock. Luckily, the area that we chose to hang our hammocks just happens to be an excellent place to view crowned lemurs at dusk. Yesterday, we spotted a mother and her infants gazing down upon us from the branches of a tree, wondering, I'm sure, what purpose can be served by lying on a piece of cloth stretched between two trees?
Camp life has been enlivened recently by the arrival of three groups of Malagasy natural science students from the local university. Not only does this offer an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange, but the experience has also served as a yardstick by which to gauge how much we RAs have learned. For example, on many occasions RAs have been able to identify bird species to these eager students.
Here in the forest, dusk is pierced by the high-pitched squeal of crowned lemurs followed by the screams of humans after mangoes are thrown at us from on high (some partially eaten). Fortunately, night settles shortly afterwards like a gentle blanket. We sleep and look forward to another day in the forest.
During our third phase here the project has been graced by the presence of Malagasy natural science students from the University of Antsiranana. We are fortunate to have been able to provide them with a unique opportunity to carry out conservation work in the field and to experience what life in the forest as part of a scientific survey team is actually like. In addition to the enriching cultural exchange that is bound to occur when such diverse groups of people come together, we have shown them how important their endemic Malagasy fauna truly is and have helped equip them with the skills necessary to protect it.
This phase has been carried out during the cool dry season when the vegetation of the mountain must deal with the problem of water shortage for a period of several months. This drastically changes the appearance of the forest and has provided our already extensive species list with new and unexpected additions such as the rare Plated Lizard Zonosaurus Boettgeri and the gecko Ebenavia inunguis (which was previously thought only to inhabit humid forest). This demonstrates the importance of the work conducted by Frontier staff and volunteers as few other conservation groups are able to invest more than two weeks per survey period into a research programme such as this.
The data and knowledge that we have collected over the past nine months will be fed into local and national plans to protect this stunning biological treasure trove. With the ever looming threat of increasing anthropogenic activity this information will be influential in determining where and how time and money should be invested. With sustained effort this endemic Malagasy forest will be protected for future generations and will serve to provide a source of income for local interests through ecotourism.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st October 2005
It's hard to believe that three weeks have already passed since we arrived in the stunning Montagne de Francais region of Madagascar. I had always thought myself to be well travelled but seeing these spectacular cliff formations cloaked in colourful vegetation made me gasp out loud the first time that I saw them ! Since then, they have become no less awe-inspiring to myself or my teammates. It's a bit of a cliché to describe them as looking postcard-perfect but they do look better than any postcard I've ever seen !
Everyone so far has been having a great time together. When we're not working we devise all sorts of fun games to play amongst ourselves and with the never-ending groups of curious local children. Even those of us who consider ourselves to be fit usually find that we get thrashed by the locals! The children find it especially funny when we're playing football and somebody slips and falls in the mud. No matter how slippery the ground is, these barefoot kids never seem to ‘wipe out'!
Research assistants and field staff alike have been astounded by the variety of endemic flora and fauna hidden within this transitional dry deciduous forest. Located in the very north of Madagascar we continue to gather baseline data that will help ensure that this unique and biodiverse forest receives formal protection in the near future. Although our research programme finds itself operating at the very peak of the dry season (during which the landscape has changed almost beyond recognition due to the lack of rain) we have continued to add to our already extensive species inventory. Our mammal survey work has been particularly fruitful this phase as our pitfall traps have already yielded several greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setefer setosus), recently awoken from their brief period of hibernation.
We have also successfully captured a species of shrew tenrec from the genus Microgale which has never been recorded from this location before. In addition, nocturnal searches have proved that in addition to the endangered crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus ) the northern sportive lemur also finds refuge in the forest-covered tsingy of this massif. Reptile searches have also proved the presence of the enigmatic and extremely rare Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus Henkeli). This cryptic species is incredibly difficult to see and very little is known about its life history and ecology.
All this activity bodes well for the upcoming weeks during which the wet season should commence. Our survey team waits eagerly in anticipation of the coming rain (80% of which falls between the months of November and March) which should reveal further currently dormant species.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st August 2005
Sadly, here we are at the end of our phase in Montagne des Françaises. After successfully mapping and transecting the mangrove forest in Diego Bay, completing trapsites in semi-humid dry deciduous forest, the canyon, and at our satellite camp at the French fort, we're all exhausted but well satisfied with our achievements.
Having been able to both see and study crowned lemurs, mouse lemurs, and many different species of lizards and chameleons (including panther chameleons, green day geckos, and Blaesodactylus), we've managed to get fully acquainted with diversity of endemic species found at this stunning location as well as the amount of effort needed to study them!
The camp staple diet was rice, vegetables, beans and not much else, but with a little bit of Malagasy magic and the odd British twist we managed to produce some delightful if unique meals. Our Malagasy staff George, the president of the village, and Edmond, a local villager have been fantastic, helping us to set up trapsites, camp, and our satellite camp at the French fort, and gave us a real taste of Malagasy life and culture.
During our last week of phase we were treated to a week at Montagne D'Ambre, a lush green rainforest, with huge crater lakes formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions. Here we saw tree frogs, crowned lemurs, sanford's brown lemurs, and blue-nosed chameleons. During the stay some of us were even lucky enough to see fosas, Madagascar's rarest and largest carnivore, as they attempted to raid our kitchen!
We will be sad to finish our Frontier expedition, but most of us are planning to use this opportunity to travel around Madagascar before we set off back to the hustle and bustle of British life.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st July 2005
We arrived safely at camp from Diego, and spent the first few days digging holes and constructing our base. We are now the proud owners of a beautiful camp and a highly luxurious RA tent, mostly thanks to the brawn and brains of our friendly local heroes George and Edmond - without whom we would still not have finished digging the long drop!
During the first four weeks we have been busy with research projects and have successfully captured and identified 27 species of reptiles and amphibians. Work included digging bucket pitfall traps, night walks, bird walks, and also doing some valuable mapping and transecting work on a nearby mangrove forest, which will help to protect it from rapid development and degradation. Rare bird sightings this phase include Chabert's vanga, Madagascar white-eye, Namaqua dove, and hook-billed vanga. We have also been lucky enough to encounter several leaf nosed snakes and leaf tailed geckos. Other activities have included walks to stunning viewpoints, such as the French Nazi Fort and the top of the canyon, which
overlooks Diego-Suarez Bay.
All of this has contributed to a substantial increase in everyone's fitness, despite the occasional party night setback! "Ewok Hammock Village" situated by a tinkling stream in the shade of the trees provides the perfect recovery spot, and gives us somewhere to nurse our rice bellies! The first four weeks have absolutely flown by and we are all enjoying the escape from the rat race. Being able to contribute to such valuable conservation research makes all the blisters and the sweating worthwhile!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st June 2005
After an amazing ten weeks spent in the alluring forest that covers the French Mountain we are regretfully preparing to return to the UK. At the beginning of week eight we sadly had to say goodbye to Jeff (one of our lovely assistant research co-ordinators) and preparation began for his leaving party. After a frustrating and tiring morning chasing chickens around camp George (our local member of staff) took pity on us and our futile attempts at catching dinner. He put Ray Mears to shame by using his bush skills to construct a chicken trap from the surrounding vegetation that produced two captured chickens in just ten minutes! We also said our farewells to the local people in the nearby village who had helped make our stay so unforgettable. This involved a final football match against their local team in which a heroic hat trick produced by Napier ensured that we returned victorious (despite a controversial penalty that was awarded against us)!
In addition, during these last few weeks we successfully wrapped up our science program and now feel very satisfied with the data that we have managed to collect. Throughout our biodiversity survey we have encountered more species than any of us could have imagined and really feel that we have made a positive contribution to the preservation of this amazing piece of forest. For the last two days we were kept busy with the task of stripping down our lovingly made camp which we had built together from scratch and once our bags were packed we made our way through the canyon to the bright lights of Diego-Suarez.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st May 2005
Camp Lemur has been a hive of socio-economic and scientific activity, with trips to the village of Andavakoera (meaning Place of Parrots) giving a fascinating insight into the lives of the local people. We befriended a local farmer, Edmond, who has helped to overcome local people's shyness and guided us around the area. Football games led to team Frontier's decisive goal in our 1 - 10 thrashing of the cream of Andavakoera's muscle bound youth! Our interviews have also highlighted topics of concern, revealing that the villagers hunt a variety of forest fauna, including tenrecs, flying foxes, and turtles. Lemurs, however, are protected by local customs. On the field biology front, the great finds have continued. We have seen a number of endemic mammals, including seven species of bat, including the vulnerable Trousettes trident-nosed bat. We have also seen a tuft-tailed rat and a ring-bellied mongoose, and there have been lots of sightings of crowned and rufous mouse lemurs around camp. We were also very lucky to spot the well-camouflaged collared nightjar.
Reptile finds have been excellent this phase, with an extraordinary total of 36 species spotted so far, including a three-meter ground boa, listed as vulnerable by IUCN, and several rare leaf-tailed geckos. Other important finds include tree boas and tree frogs which are making more of an appearance now that the temperature has started to drop. We're now raring to go and are all fired up for our final trapsite.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st April 2005
Our first phase at Montagne de Francais is revealing an amazing diversity of species, providing some excellent results and showing great promise for this little-studied terrain. We first enjoyed a couple of days on Ramena beach before we set out for the forest in earnest, with an early start and long arduous climb to camp, where we caught a leaf-tailed gecko and a metre-long snake. The next few days were spent clearing an area and setting up camp, getting accustomed to sleeping under canvas and our staple diet of rice and beans.
We have seen crowned lemurs, brown mouse lemurs and greater hedgehog tenrecs as well as lots of birds, the majority of which have been endemic species, including Vangas, Madagascan magpie robin, red foddy, crested drongo and Madagascan bee eaters. We've caught even more bats than in any other phase, including Commerson's Leaf-nosed bat, the endemic Malagasy mouse-eared bat, Madagascar Rousetter bat, and seen Madagascar flying foxes the size of small planes.
Reptile and bird walks through the spectacular surrounding area led to the capture of several chameleon species, including endemic dwarf chameleons, and yet more snakes such as boas and the leaf-nosed langaha snake. We've found far more reptiles at this stage than in any previous phase, including a recently described species of plated lizard endemic to this region and three species of unidentified snakes which may even be new to science.
The end of the trap site was celebrated with a fancy dress party and a few beers from the camp bar.
Suitably transformed, we sung and danced the night away to the sound of calling lemurs. We now look forward to expanding our list of species, catching a three-metre long boa and avoiding excessive water.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st November 2004
We have all settled into forest life really well, and our hard work is starting to show results. We are back at Base Camp following excursions at two satellite camps that were a 2 day hike further up river. The first Sat camp gave us the opportunity to watch a colony of nearly 300 fruit bats on the opposite river bank, and our night time batting netted us 2 Commerson's leaf nosed bats resulting in huge excitement all round! The forest here is particularly active with regular sightings of Verreaux's sifakas and multiple sightings of the elusive fat-tailed dwarf lemurs. The start of the wet season also brought other animals out of hibernation such as the lesser hedgehog tenrec, and a gigantic (>2m) ground boa! A socio-economic visit to a local village resulted in the rare chance to hold an orphaned baby sifaka lemur and a brilliant photo opportunity.
Sat Camp 2 continued in a similarly exciting way with success (at last!) in trapping a narrow striped mongoose, proving a significant range extension for the species. Along with the usual assortment of rodents and reptiles, we also found an interesting and possibly undocumented dwarf chameleon species.
Rainy season has started, but not to its full potential yet. Afternoons carry the threat of rain but it doesn't always happen - thankfully! The new rains have transformed the dry forests into a sea of activity: dormant roots are sprouting and flowering, hibernating animals are emerging and anticipation is high for our 4 th trapsite. Another once-in-a-lifetime experience was when a number of us heard a meteorite heading earthwards in the middle of the night, causing huge discussion at breakfast the next morning. We only have one more set of bucket lines before Ollie and Sarah head back to the UK, leaving Jo and Bea to finish up their BTEC work and carry out socio-economic work. Where has the time gone?
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st October 2004
A two-day journey might sound like a challenge but the ever-changing scenery and the vibrancy of the Malagasy people made it a real pleasure. But we were still pleased when it was over! After a few days in Tuléar where we had a chance to get to know our fellow volunteers and staff, we set off to establish base camp at the Monombo river, about 70km north of Tuléar.
Once in the gallery forest we were astonished by its resemblance to any other English forest, but this thought was swiftly crushed as over the following few days as we found a spectacular array of wildlife. We've only spent a couple days on the new trapsites but have been lucky to find lots of different species of lemurs: ring-tail, red fronted brown, sifaka and fat tailed dwarf lemurs! Reptile finds have included geckos, skinks and a variety of snakes including a tree snake known to eat mouse lemurs. Our bird list also continues to grow: paradise fly-catchers, Madagascar harrier-hawks, white-eyes and white-headed vangas to name but a few.
We'll soon be preparing for our first satellite camp which will be another two-day hike up-river to an area which is a known regular drinking spot for red fronted brown lemurs. We'll be passing a colony of more than 200 fruit bats on the way and hope to collect valuable biodiversity data from this little explored area of the southern Mikea. This phase still has another 8 weeks to go and as we improve our Malagasy language skills we will be commencing socio-economic surveys in local villages, asking questions about local resource management. The combination of biodiversity and socio-economic surveys will provide a valuable insight into the ecological health of this region. Rice and beans are the ingredients of every meal except breakfast; but it is amazing how with a little imagination every meal can be different. Without the bar we might not be so optimistic - what a godsend! We are two weeks in and about to finish our first trap site which can only mean one thing - party night!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st August 2004
After an eventful two day journey from Tana to Tuléar, involving two flat tyres and faulty brakes, we were able to relax for a couple of days and enjoy some nice meals out in Tuléar. We had a fun evening in the town, dancing to Malagasy music at club Mozambique's. The following day each group was given a list of shopping to buy and had to explain to confused shop keepers what we were pointing at.
Finally we set off for Ranobe in a big old truck for a 3 hour journey. Once we had piled out of the cramped bus we then piled onto zebu carts - not quite British Rail! It took several days to get camp up and running which involved digging long drops and setting up the kitchen area. Everyone was sleeping happily outside until a freak rainstorm soaked everything.
We have now completed our first set of science work and celebrated with a 'vicars and tarts' party night. We were sad to see the 4 weekers leave, but enjoyed a couple of quality days at Belalanda (our first satellite camp), where we saw flamingos, purple swamp hens and hundreds of iguanas."
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st July 2004
Since last update we have made some interesting sightings and captures. The most exciting sighting of the whole phase came towards the end of our final trap line. Whilst re-baiting the Sherman traps Hal (RJH) and Ritchie (RB) noticed a rustling in the trees. When they looked up it turned out to be a fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox), the largest carnivore in Madagascar, pursuing a pack of red fronted brown lemurs (Eulemur Fulvus Rufus) through the canopy! After the cacophony of lemur screams had died down and the chase was over the fosa then proceeded to sit in a tree and pose for approximately 3hrs. Both staff and RAs alike sat with jaws dropped in disbelief. Despite being fairly common in Madagascar, the large carnivores are rarely seen and usually only glimpsed, so we were all very happy with the sighting and felt privileged for the experience. But the privileges continued... During the last few days of phase we added a new species to the MGF lists by catching the western forest mouse (Macrotarsomys bastardi), which has not been caught on any previous MGF phase! Wow!
The remainder of phase was taken up with BTEC and preparations for our "School Presentation Spectacular" back in Tuléar. The presentation was performed in a local primary school in Tuléar. We performed a play, sang songs and had interactive interpretation posters around the theme of conservation in Madagascar. The presentation went very well, with plenty of props, scenery, laughter and fun for all.
The children especially liked Neil's impression of a sifaka lemur. It was an amazing experience and one we are sure the children both learnt from and enjoyed.
After a our final night out in Tuléar and a great deal of boogying at a local disco, the morning of the 6 th of June saw an extremely dishevelled looking bunch of RA's heading on their way back to Tana.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st June 2004
How can I possibly condense the last few weeks into a paragraph?! We have had our mid-phase review, which we celebrated with a lovely break for a few days by the coast, staying in luxury accommodation (compared to base camp) with cheese omelettes on the menu! We have also completed our second satellite camp, when we ventured even further into the dense gallery forests which surround base camp.
It was a real success. Particular highlights include the sighting of a red-fronted brown lemur, and visiting a fruit bat colony and a natural spring. On our return to base camp we celebrated Christmas Day (only a few months late...our calendar is a bit topsy-turvy down here in the southern hemisphere!). It also happened to be the day of our Superhero Fashion Show, for which some seriously inventive outfits were sported. And we even had a visit from Santa (I wouldn't let my children sit on his knee, that's for sure!).
We have since started our third pitfall trapline and we have cut our second lemur transect. We hear ringtailed lemurs most days, but so far they have remained elusive! I can't believe it's week 8 already - where has the time gone? I don't want to go home!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st May 2004
During the two day journey from Tana and a few nights resting in Tuléar, we all began to get to know each other and be began to acclimatise to the warm (hot!) weather at 35-40°C in the shade, dropping to a cooler 20-25°C at night. After saying goodbye to the marine bunch we headed off to base camp at a location discovered by the previous expedition. It is a beautiful grove thick with tamarind trees on the bank of the Manobo River and a bumpy day's zebu cart ride north of Tuléar. We all felt excited about setting up camp in a previously unstudied, fragile environment and knew we would be doing important work there. We quickly set up our first bucket trap and within days had caught several varieties of geckos, skinks, chameleons, tuft-tailed rats, and a couple of Madagascan pygmy shrews...the smallest mammals in the world! Four weeks in and we have also found a black rat, over 30 different butterflies, a tree boa and a plated lizard, with over 30 species of birds, many endemic to Madagascar. Recent night walks have revealed lots of mouse lemurs and a Coquerel's dwarf lemur, which is exciting as they are not generally known to live in this area.
The weather has been great apart from a few evenings of rain, but are nothing a warm fire and some hot chocolate can't fix. I'm sad to be already leaving after just four weeks, although the Banoffee Pie the others made me as a leaving gift cheered me up (it's amazing the things you can conjure up so far from civilisation!). However, I leave knowing that I was lucky enough to have a close encounter with a Verraux's sifaka, and heard the calls of a band of ring tails in the forest near satellite camp. It's left me yearning to come back and see more of this truly amazing place!
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st April 2004
It was back to camp for our final week of collecting data and working on our BTECs. We took two days to pack down camp, which turned out to be a bit of a muddy experience due to the frequent rainshowers. We then rounded off the phase with a real treat: two days at Mangily, a small beach resort north of Tuléar. Sun, sea, sand, snorkelling, a few beers, plus completing our BTECs and relaxing after a very full-on 10 weeks. Following this, it's back to Tuléar and on to Tana to fly home, or off on independent travel. We're all looking forward to new adventures and to returning home, but will miss our camp in the forest, the simple way of life and being surrounded by nature. It's been an amazing experience and we're looking forward to telling everyone at home all about it!"
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st March 2004
The first week in February we spent doing a satellite camp further inland, in a little pocket of savannah grassland near to the central plateau. We set up a trapsite across the different habitats to see how important the corridors of forest across the grassland are to various species of animal. It was really good to be in forest for a while, getting our hands dirty and developing our skills and practical research techniques. We spotted various amazing species of bird that we hadn't seen at the base camp and caught out first shrew tenrec of the phase which was really exciting. The views were incredible and everyone was amazed at the length of the horizon that we could see. The evening's entertainment focused around the campfire and the twinkling of the stars.
We soon had to return to base camp at the Lake Ranobe to spend some time doing more bird walks and opportunistic collections, so we've been running madly through the forest sweeping the air clean of butterflies and grabbing desperately at lizards fleeing through the undergrowth. We also had our mid-phase review which was followed by a well deserved disco. After various talks summarising our work so far, the music was turned up and we ripped up the dance floor Madagascan-style. Now we're looking forward to our next sat-camp on the Manombo River, where we should get to see some more exciting lemurs.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st February 2004
After a fairly smooth bus journey from Tana we spent a couple of days in Tuléar, shopping for the expedition, and taking our health and safety tests. We left for camp in a large truck and after a 3 hour journey we piled everything into a zebu cart for the last 2 km to the camp site.
We are in fairly open forest next to a lake, although it is difficult to see beyond the wall of leaves. It took a day and half to get camp set up, so yesterday we set up our first trapsite, bringing 33 buckets and 300m of plastic into the spiny forest. It was nearly 40C, but it paid dividends when we caught a huge number of reptiles and mammals. In one day, we captured 6 snakes without leaving camp, including a 1m long ground boa and a beautiful tree boa, plus millions of lizards, hand sized spiders and a large millipede. The huge rain clouds gather every day, and we hear regular thunderstorms, but we have yet to feel the rain.
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier - 1st January 2004
"It's been five weeks since our last update and we have achieved so much that it's difficult to know where to start. We have completed two trapsites, and have started a third. We have caught loads of cool stuff including a month old Tenrec whose eyes had not yet opened. One of the boys has taken such a shine to him that he christened him Grundel and began hand feeding him liquidised grubs. Aside from the science work, we have managed to find time to play the local villagers at football. Or at least, get totally thrashed 5-1, our one goal being scored while their goalie was incapacitated with laughter.
Last week was also very eventful as we saw a wild piglet gallop through camp. Unfortunately, the locals saw it too and proceeded to set fire to the forest to try and catch it. Luckily we were all awake and spent the next 2 hours extinguishing the fire before it got out of control. We are leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow for our second satellite camp. It will be hard to top our first one where we trekked up the dry Fiherenana riverbed and camped beside a beautiful lake. Here we found evidence of the elusive long-tailed ground roller in the form of its long blue tail feathers. Only a few weeks left and everyone is really excited to go to our end of phase party at the beach and to go travelling around to see some more of this amazing country."
Volunteer Diaries
Frontier -
"After spending the first 4 weeks settling into life in the forest we decided to venture further a-field. Our first satellite camp was made at Ravofoty, where a sacred spring emerging from the forest. Having trekked up the valley, wading through rivers, stuck in thigh high mud, it was a real luxury to have a well-earned wash in the warm bubbling water of a spring. The spring also turned out to be a haven for wildlife and we were really excited to spot our very first lemurs in the wild. And we would watch each evening as a large group of red fronted brown lemurs would clamber down to the spring to drink. The surrounding forest seemed quiet at first, but once we began the survey work we found the area was home to many beautiful butterflies, small mammals and rare birds like the red-tailed vanga. It was sad to leave but good to return to base camp with all the (comparative!) luxuries.
Having spent a day overdosing on beer and chocolate, we spent a few nights mist-nesting for insectivorous bats that inhabit a nearby cave. During a single night we were lucky enough to catch 8 tiny long-fingered bats despite being distracted by large fruit bats swishing through the trees overhead."