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Eppley TM, Borgerson C, Patel ER, Herrera JP, Kirkby AE, Golden CD, Andriamahaihavana M, Andrianandrasana L, Bóveda A, Gibson D, Jaofeno LJ, Rakotondrasoa F, Ramahaleo TA, Rasamisoa DC, Ratelolahy F, Razafindramanana J, Spira C, Welch C, Vasey N. A habitat stronghold on the precipice: A call-to-action for supporting lemur conservation in northeast Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23483. [PMID: 36851838 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The northeast of Madagascar is as diverse as it is threatened. The area bordering the Analanjirofo and SAVA regions contains six protected areas and at least 22 lemur species. Many applied research and conservation programs have been established in the region with the aim of ensuring both wildlife and people thrive in the long term. While most of the remaining humid evergreen forest of northeast Madagascar is formally protected, the local human population depends heavily on the land, and unsustainable natural resource use threatens this biodiversity hotspot. Drawing from our collective experiences managing conservation activities and research programs in northeast Madagascar, we discuss the major threats to the region and advocate for eight conservation activities that help reduce threats and protect the environment, providing specific examples from our own programs. These include (1) empowering local conservation actors, (2) ensuring effectively protected habitat, (3) expanding reforestation, (4) establishing and continuing long-term research and monitoring, (5) reducing food insecurity, (6) supporting environmental education, (7) promoting sustainable livelihoods, and (8) expanding community health initiatives. Lastly, we provide a list of actions that individuals can take to join us in supporting and promoting lemur conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Eppley
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Cortni Borgerson
- Department of Anthropology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
| | - Erik R Patel
- Lemur Conservation Foundation, Myakka City, Florida, USA
| | - James P Herrera
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew E Kirkby
- Birdlife International, Conservation Department, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher D Golden
- Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY), Maroantsetra, Madagascar
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - McAntonin Andriamahaihavana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Antonio Bóveda
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Dean Gibson
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Delaïd C Rasamisoa
- Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Felix Ratelolahy
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Josia Razafindramanana
- Mention Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charlotte Spira
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Charles Welch
- Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Natalie Vasey
- Department of Anthropology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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