It’s always exciting to discover a previously undocumented population of lemurs, especially when it involves a critically endangered species like the Red Ruffed Lemur. This finding significantly expands the species’ known range — as well as revealing some striking color variations within the species!
News
Marojejy National Park and Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve together protect 14 species of lemurs, including the beautiful, white Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus). Silky Sifakas are one of the most critically endangered primates on earth, with less than a thousand individuals estimated to exist in only a few small areas in the mountains of northeastern Madagascar. No Silky Sifakas exist in captivity, so protecting their remaining habitat is vital to ensure survival of the species.
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Nick Garbutt
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Nick Garbutt
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Nick Garbutt
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Dustin Chen
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Dustin Chen
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Nick Garbutt
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Kurt Baumgartner
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
Propithecus candidus (Silky Sifaka) © Éric Mathieu
The Duke Lemur Center recently partnered with several community conservation associations to conduct extensive surveys for Silky Sifakas in the COMATSA-Sud Protected Area, the mountainous region between Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. We are encouraged to learn that the surveys identified 10 potential Silky Sifaka groups, a very good sign for the future of this critically endangered lemur.
Read more about the surveys here.
We are dismayed to learn that illegal mining and logging operations remain a continuing problem in the COMATSA Protected Area, which is directly adjacent to Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. A recent law enforcement mission in the area is described in the post linked below.
COMATSA Protected Area: Illegal Mining Temporarily Halted
Andranomilolo – Doany
During a forest monitoring mission in the Andasimanintsy area of Andranomilolo Village, Doany Rural Commune, Andapa Mining District, which is part of the COMATSA Protected Area, 22 people were arrested for illegal gold mining and logging. The DREDD SAVA team [Regional Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development], together with FIP [Police Intervention Force], carried out the operation to strengthen the monitoring and protection of natural resources, especially forests, within the COMATSA Protected Area. During the field visit, it was found that there are still human activities that can damage the environment and reduce the forest area, thus reinforcing the importance of continuous monitoring. The matter is in the hands of the competent authorities, and the next steps are awaited according to the applicable law. This event strengthens the collaboration between DREDD SAVA, FIP and partners for the protection and sustainable management of natural resources in the SAVA region.
Amponaomby is the gateway village to the new Camp Varecia in Anjanaharibe-Sud. We’re very pleased to see the local community getting better school facilities. Thank you, Wildlife Madagascar!
A researcher writes about the everyday challenges of conducting field studies in Anjanaharibe-Sud and the friendships she made with her field team.
Read the full story from Wildlife Madagascar here.
The Duke Lemur Center continues its good work in the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar. Some of their recent activities include environmental education, forest restoration, and monitoring the critically endangered Silky Sifaka lemurs.
An interesting and important study on the effects of the road/track that bisects Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve and that is heavily traveled by local villagers.
Hot off the press!
The newest book in Vahatra’s “Ecotourism Guides to Protected Areas” series is devoted exclusively to Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. This new book will be extremely useful for anyone with an interest in Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. It is bilingual (French/English) and features detailed information on the natural history of the area (including extensive species lists), as well as on how to visit.
Currently, the book is available for purchase only locally in Madagascar, but it is scheduled for international release in Europe and North America in September 2026 and can be pre-ordered through the University of Chicago Press or major retailers (e.g., Amazon). Better yet, you can try ordering through your local bookseller (ISBN 2957984946).
More than 1,132 hectares of rainforest have been restored by local communities in the COMATSA corridor (Marojejy – Tsaratanana – Anjanaharibe-Sud).
.
Lots of exciting new lemur research and surveys are underway in Anjanaharibe-Sud under the auspices of Wildlife Madagascar.
We love to see kids getting excited about the environment and their natural and cultural heritage. Thank you, DLC!
Last year, researchers working in Anjanaharibe-Sud witnessed white-fronted brown lemurs mating — a very rare sighting. Thank you, Wildlife Madagascar, for all the work you’re doing in Anjanaharibe-Sud, and elsewhere in Madagascar!
Wildlife Madagascar’s new tree nursery in Befingotra is doing well! It’s encouraging to see such great results.
Native, giant bamboo grows fast and abundantly in the area around Marojejy, and it makes good charcoal that works well in fuel-efficient cooking stoves. Check out this video from Duke Lemur Center—SAVA Conservation to see how it benefits both the people and the forest.
Video: Bamboo Charcoal: Revolutionizing Cleaner Energy in Madagascar
Wildlife Madagascar is working with communities around Anjanaharibe-Sud to increase literacy.
It’s wonderful to see the SAVA Agroecological Team and Duke Lemur Center working on more landscape restoration projects in the SAVA Region around Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. This is important work, and it’s great to see it being done in a thoughtful and sustainable manner. Thank you, all!
Photos from another impressive project spearheaded by Duke Lemur Center SAVA…
Edible insects: an interesting and innovative project being tested in rural communities around Anjanaharibe-Sud!
Many thanks to Wildlife Madagascar for working to restore and revitalize these important forest habitats.
Beautiful footage produced by Franco Rajaonarison. This is Marojejy!
View this post on Instagram