To all adventure and herpetology enthusiasts, head off to the heart of Madagascar's Makay massif and take part in a special mission to study chameleons and other reptiles. From observations and species inventories to ecological surveys and prospecting, every scientific datum collected will help us better understand these species and preserve their unique ecosystem! All participative science trips here
In the heart of the Makay massif, Madagascar
The Makay massif, rich in endemic biodiversity, is threatened by bush fires, poaching and the illegal collection of natural resources, degrading its fragile ecosystems. To protect this sanctuary, our partner carries out scientific and conservation missions, such as population monitoring, fauna and flora inventories, and archaeological studies. These actions aim to better understand the Makay's biodiversity, identify threatened species and draw up preservation plans, while supporting the creation of a protected area to guarantee its sustainable management.
Study of chameleons and other reptiles
The missions enabled us to inventory 53 species of reptiles, including 5 species of chameleons: Brookesia brygooi, Furcifer nicosiai, Furcifer oustaleti, Furcifer verrucosus and Furcifer viridis. Of these chameleons, Furcifer nicosiai is classified as endangered by the IUCN. However, gaps remain in our knowledge of these species, particularly with regard to their precise distribution and ecology, due to the lack of research in southern and western Madagascar. To fill these gaps and reinforce conservation efforts, Naturevolution, in collaboration with the Chameleon Center Conservation, is offering a special participatory science mission focusing on the inventory and study of chameleons and other reptiles in the Makay!
The objectives of this special mission
- Identify the species present and better understand their distribution.
- Assess their conservation status and the threats they face.
- Take concrete action to protect them.
Participatory science trip to inventory the Makay chameleons
- Set up an inventory of the Makay's chameleons, in particular by training ecoguards in the inventory protocol already applied by the Chameleon Center Conservation in the Vohimana reserve. In addition to the inventory, this protocol will make it possible to establish the distribution of the various species in the massif.
- Ethological monitoring of a few easily accessible individuals of a common species(Furcifer oustaleti), accompanied by a description of the microhabitat/microclimate.
- Create an illustrated field guide to the Makay's chameleons for local people and ecovolunteers.
- Collect genetic samples or specimens to refine our taxonomic knowledge of chameleon diversity in partnership with a phylogenetic analysis laboratory(subject to obtaining a research permit).
If you wish, you can also
Produce artistic and/or audiovisual content: if you have artistic and/or audiovisual skills (video, photography, illustration, content creation, etc.) you can produce a logbook or capture the beauty of the area. Your vision will help to fill people with wonder, raise awareness and highlight Naturevolution Madagascar's actions to preserve the chameleons and reptiles of the Makay Massif.
Dates : May 11 to 30
Rate
2,000 for 2 weeks. The entire cost of your mission, including airfare, is tax-exempt: 66% for individuals, 75% if you are subject to the IFI, and 60% for companies.
Not included
- International flight + airport taxes
- Personal equipment (tent, clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, water bottle, backpack, headlamps, etc.)
- Antimalarials and vaccines
- Madagascar entry visa
- Extra drinks, snacks and souvenirs
- Hotel accommodation and any other expenses outside the official mission dates
- Air ticket cancellation insurance
Included in price
- Logistics costs. Transportation*, meals, hotel accommodation. On-site mission management team. Equipment needed to carry out the mission. Prior organization to ensure that everything runs smoothly during your stay.
* Please note that transportation (on site) is our main cost item, as : The journey to the Makay is long and therefore relatively expensive in terms of fuel. The tracks are difficult, which means we have to hire high-quality, more expensive vehicles, which almost invariably involve additional repair costs. For safety reasons in particular, we are obliged to keep the vehicles with us throughout the mission, which extends the rental period and therefore the cost.
- Management costs: Monitoring and evaluation of results and impact of missions; Promotion of missions; Administrative processing of registrations; Repatriation and civil liability insurance; Naturevolution membership.
- Donations for the conservation program: Salaries for project staff in the field throughout the year; Research and development of strategies and means of action to safeguard the Makay as a whole in the long term; Travel for our teams to develop the project; Day-to-day management and fund-raising activities in France, essential to the success of the conservation program; Purchases and investments to develop and run the projects; Day-to-day management and fund-raising activities in France, essential to the success of the conservation program.
- Field supervision: these missions are supervised by our partner and in particular by our eco-guards, who are also the best specialists in the Makay forests. Some missions may also be accompanied by Malagasy and/or international researchers.
- Mission activities: scientific protocols and exact missions are prepared one month before departure to best meet needs in the field.
- Remote areas: you'll be immersed in particularly remote and exotic areas, in contact with a new culture and new natural ecosystems. You'll experience a unique adventure, far from your comfort zone and habits, while helping to protect the biodiversity treasures of the Makay Massif.
- Unforeseen events and the nature of the mission: missions can be subject to unforeseen events and are not organized ecotourism trips! Ecovolunteering is a new adventure, where your participation will fluctuate but always be of great use.
- Physical condition: you must be in good physical condition, with a medical check-up required.
- No scientific qualifications required! You don't need a scientific background or any particular diploma, just motivation, enthusiasm and a great desire to learn!
- Expected attitude: at last, we expect you to be smiling, pleasant to be with and full of energy!
Location
The Makay massif, located in central-western Madagascar, is an immense labyrinth of canyons covering 4,000 km², formed by the erosion of crystalline rock masses hundreds of millions of years old. This unique relief, composed of yellow sandstone, shelters plateaus covered with forests and vegetation typical of dry environments, while its deep canyons abound in humid vegetation. This little-explored biodiversity sanctuary is home to rare and endemic species, protected thanks to its isolation.
Accommodation
These missions take place from a base camp established in the massif. This base camp may be moved once during the mission, but is generally fixed to allow us to develop our protocols properly. Our camps are rudimentary, and you'll sleep in your own tent. You'll have access to dry toilets and showers set up in the forest.
The food
We eat produce bought in the capital, supplemented by local produce offered by the villagers (depending on the season: mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, breeds, sheep, turkeys, chickens, etc.). Everyone is welcome to help prepare the meals and wash the dishes. We drink river water, but you can easily filter it. As for cooking water, we systematically boil it. A few beers and soft drinks can sometimes be found in the villages. Some meals are taken in the local villages, allowing you to discover traditional cuisine while supporting the communities.
Transportation
4X4 transport from the capital to the Makay massif.
Laundry
As conditions are rather rudimentary in the field, there is no conventional laundry service. Clothes will be washed by hand with non-polluting natural soap, using locally available water, and we recommend that you bring light, quick-drying clothes.
Wifi
As the terrain is particularly isolated, there is little Wifi connection available on site. This mission is a unique opportunity to disconnect, to live the ecovolunteering experience to the full, and to focus on the environment and conservation actions without digital distractions!
Beyond your direct actions, your presence is essential to us because :
- An international civic commitment: as an ecovolunteer, you'll be helping to raise awareness of the ecological and social challenges facing these regions, both in France and abroad. As a first-hand witness, you'll be helping to raise awareness of the challenges we face and the actions Naturevolution is taking to meet them. As a "citizen of the world", you are committed to the protection of these last sanctuaries of biodiversity and the empowerment of local populations.
- Essential financial support: your participation in the mission becomes a donation and contributes to the financing of various local and sustainable development initiatives in our partner's areas of intervention in Indonesia, Madagascar and France!
Naturevolution
Since 2009, the Naturevolution association has been actively working to protect and enhance the last threatened sanctuaries of biodiversity, notably the Makay massif (Madagascar) and the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia), two territories of exceptional ecological wealth. Born of scientific naturalist expeditions, our partner works hand in hand with local and international interdisciplinary researchers to study and document the richness of these unique ecosystems. At the same time, the association works closely with local communities to develop a holistic approach to sustainable development, focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects. Through documentaries, exhibitions and educational programs, our partner brings these territories to the general public and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect them.
