Impact Madagascar Field UPDATES! (Part 4) May, 2017

Sifaka Conservation Project at Mahajeby

Establishment of a collaboration agreement between the Mahajeby Regional Department of the Environment, Ecology and Forests (DREEF) of Bondolava, and the Sifaka Conservation Program

The Sifaka Conservation Program in Tsiroanomandidy handed over the collaboration agreement to the Regional Directorate for Environment, Ecology and Forests of Bongolava. This was very important to mark the effectiveness and visibility of the Sifaka Conservation Project within the region. The existence of this collaborative agreement allows the Sifaka Conservation Program to intervene in forest fragments in Mahajeby and to facilitate conservation of the endangered species Propithecus coronatus, protection of its habitat, and the safeguarding of biodiversity.

The overall objective is to work closely with DREEF Bongolava in carrying out a program of sustainable conservation in forest fragments at Mahajeby. For this year, the Sifaka Conservation Program will focus on the (i) officialisation of the local management transfer to the grassroots community, (ii) to initiate the creation of a New Protected Area, and iii) to promote community development activities

DREEF has shown great willingness to support the conservation efforts undertaken by Sifaka Conservation in the Bongolava region.

The Sifaka Conservation team has visited the 4 forest fragments in Mahajeby and found that these forest fragments still retain their potential for conservation; the population of sifaka living there has increased, and most groups have juveniles.