Discover, Plan & Go!

To better understand the process of recovery for a population of black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata editorium) following catastrophic habitat destruction, studies will be conducted at Manombo rainforest in southeastern Madagascar to investigate the foraging and feeding strategies, the activity patterns, and the social organization of Varecia groups. We want to know what plants they eat, how far they go, who gave birth, who fights with who, etc. Such information will allow us to understand, for instance, which plants the lemurs rely on and the relative abundance of their food trees, and how the different individuals in the group use their habitat, etc. The habitats of the black and white ruffed lemurs have changed drastically after cyclone Gretelle hit the forest in 1997. Therefore, we want to understand the movement patterns of the targeted species, and so we need to monitor them by collecting data on the same individuals and/or groups. The data from this study will be compared with available data from undisturbed sites in order to establish a management plan for this species throughout the country. As the main objective of this project is to ensure the viability of Varecia in its natural habitat, three community levels (regional, national, and international) will benefit from the results of this study.

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