Research

Since the late 1980s, AEECL has implemented or financed a number of different research projects, mainly on the cytogenetics, taxonomy and distribution of lemur genera such as Hapalemur, Lepilemur, and Propithecus. The Sahamalaza region has been in AEECL’s focus of scientific and conservation interest since 1988.

During the course of 2004 a field station and a scientific working group have been established by scientists of AEECL and the Universities of Antananarivo and Mahajanga in the Ankarafa forest, situated within the Sahamalaza - Iles Radama National Park. There still remain large gaps in the knowledge we have about the blue-eyed black lemur. Together, the zoos united in AEECL are aiming to fill some of these gaps, especially concerning population and social dynamics, habitat utilisation, nutritional ecology, and veterinary issues, to be able to develop comprehensive conservation and management plans for this and other Critically Endangered lemur species. The first three long-term research projects, namely on the nutritional ecology, socioecology and parasitic status of the blue-eyed black lemur, have been carried out in Ankarafa within the framework of AEECL’s Programme Sahamalaza. Our research work moreover increases public awareness for the forest ecosystem in the region and facilitates long-term conservation and research efforts for the lemurs and their habitat.
Other species that have been subject to studies and/or census work in Sahamalaza during the last years were the newly discovered Sahamalaza sportive lemur (Lepilemur sahamalazaensis) and the northern giant mouse lemur (Mirza zaza) as well as different bird species.

Our research in Sahamalaza and elsewhere in Madagascar aims at increasing the scientific understanding of endangered lemurs through the study of impacts of habitat degradation and fragmentation on their ecology and behaviour. Moreover, the speciation and distribution areas of different lemur taxa are investigated in order to be able to assign a conservation status to those species and to implement effective conservation measures.
We are also conducting research on captive lemurs in the AEECL member zoos, aimed at optimising animal welfare and breeding success of the lemur species in our care.