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Madagascar - Lemur Conservation

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Madagascar - Lemur Conservation

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Volunteer to conserve the native lemur species on the beautiful island of Madagascar! The natural population of lemurs is what the country of Madagascar is most commonly recognized by: however, these lemurs are currently on the list of endangered primates. The goal of this project is to conserve this endemic species.

Program Highlights:

Contribute to the conservation of an endangered species
Work closely with lemurs and feed them by hand
Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions
Gain experience in animal care
Enjoy the tropical beaches during free weekends

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Nosy Be Airport (NOS). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to the volunteer house in the Diana Region.

Day 1, Monday: Following breakfast, volunteers will receive an all-day orientation, including a guided tour of the area and visit to the local market.

Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will partake in rewarding volunteer work with the lemurs. Volunteers work five to six hours each day, and have the remainder of the day to relax or go off and explore.

Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday: Volunteers have the weekends free to relax or explore.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.

Love caring for animals? Check out our other wildlife conservation projects here!

Location of the Project: Nosy Be, Madagascar

Project length: Min 2 week - Max 4 weeks

Arrival Airport: Fascene Airport (NOS)

Volunteer Work: Animal care, maintenance

Age: Minimum age of 18 (Age Exception: Those aged 16 and 17 may apply with a chaperone)

Number of Volunteers: Up to 23 international volunteers

What's Included

Accommodations: Shared rooms in a volunteer center

Food: Three meals per weekday and two per day on weekends are provided

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is provided upon arrival

Orientation: You will receive a one-day orientation on your first Monday.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What's not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses

Madagascar is a beautiful island location with diverse landscapes ranging from deserts to beaches. The people living on the island come from many different countries, making it culturally diverse, so volunteers can acclimate with ease.This project takes place on the island of Nosy Be.

The natural population of lemurs is what the country of Madagascar is most commonly recognized by: however, these lemurs are currently on the list of endangered primates, even though the hunting of them is illegal. Unfortunately, most of their natural habitat in Madagascar has been destroyed over the years. Some locals keep them as pets and abuse them, and there are even some villages that still hunt them illegally. The goal of this project is to conserve this endemic species.

These rescued lemurs were taken illegally from their natural habitats. Since they cannot be returned to the wild, they will now live in safety at the center. Other animals at the center include the fish-eagle and Ploughshare tortoise.

As volunteer on this project you will be assisting the local staff with daily tasks to fulfill the various needs of both the lemurs and the center. In addition to cutting, preparing and serving food to the lemurs, you will also be responsible for planting and cutting the fruit trees that supply this food. Other tasks include maintenance and construction work at the center. Cleaning of the lemur enclosures is another task you will be assisting with during your stay. Your volunteering contribution will help this sanctuary to operate smoothly in addition to your direct positive impact on these rescued animals.

Some of your tasks may include:

Preparing food for the lemurs, eagles and tortoises
Cutting grass
Planting fruit trees
Feeding the animals
Cleaning of enclosures
Constructing and maintaining enclosures
Creating informational boards on the different types of lemurs
Transferring young lemurs to new enclosures

Sample Schedule: Volunteers will work Monday through Friday, four hours per day. Volunteers have the weekends free.

Please note: Tasks are subject to change based on local conditions and the current needs of the project.

Internet: There is no Internet available at the accommodation or project site.

Laundry: Laundry services are available for an additional fee.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared, single gender rooms at the volunteer center. There will be between four to six volunteers per room. Bathrooms are shared and cold showers are available. Fans are available in the rooms. There is a balcony and roof terrace for volunteers to relax,as well as a garden and lounge room.

Food: Three meals are provided on weekdays and breakfast and dinner are provided on weekends. Typical dishes include rice and vegetables, but there may be chicken twice a week. There is a kitchen and refrigerator at the house for volunteer use, to prepare their weekend lunches at their own cost. There is a supermarket within a 15 minute- bus ride from the accommodations.

Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:

Basic level of English
Love of animals
Police clearance

Madagascar is a beautiful island with waterfalls, desert, caves and beaches just waiting to be explored. Popular activities throughout the island include hiking and water activities such as diving. Below are a few suggestions of where to specifically visit and what to do during your free time here:

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):

Enjoy this week-long orientation, for an additional fee, to meet other volunteers and familiarize yourself with the customs, surroundings, atmosphere and more of this rich and colorful country.You will dive into the local culture and learn Malagasy language. Volunteers will the visit the village of Miarinarivo’s Doany and explore the sacred royal tombs. On Thursday volunteers will partake in a yoga session before trekking in the Reniala Eco Park, followed by a picnic and beach day on Friday. Discover the charm of the city, visit colorful markets, explore Nosy Be and taste exotic and cosmopolite cuisines.

Cirque Rouge
Also located in Mahajanga is Cirque Rouge, an amphitheater of natural red, orange and white rock. This amazing sight is breathtaking and a “must” for geology lovers.

Parc National de l'Isalo
Located in southwestern Madagascar is the National Park of l'Isalo, which can be explored by foot, horseback or bike. There are beautiful, natural pools to swim in and trails waiting to be discovered.

Parc National de Marojejy
The National Park of Marojejy is located in the northeast region of Madagascar. This jungle is home to natural waterfalls that will be sure to please our nature-loving volunteers.