The blue-eyed black lemur is, besides man, the only species of primate which, as its name suggests, has blue eyes. These animals occur almost exclusively on the Sahamalaza peninsula, a very remote area in northwest Madagascar .

The Sahamalaza region has been in AEECL’s focus of scientific and conservation interest since 1988. The blue-eyed black lemur, endemic to this part of Madagascar , has been selected as the flagship species for all conservation efforts concerning the region. AEECL, together with our American partners, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and with the Malagasy protected areas authority (ANGAP), has been working on the implementation of a national protected area on the Sahamalaza peninsula [see also Rumpler et al., 1996; Lernould, 1998, 2002; Moisson et al., 1999]. Since 1995 we have conducted a number of preliminary short-term observations concerning the lemurs and other wildlife in the area. Our first goal was reached in 2001, when UNESCO declared Sahamalaza a biosphere reserve. Now, in 2004, the reserve is only one small step away from becoming a protected area (Aire Protégée Marine et Cotière) managed by ANGAP, and we hope that we can achieve this goal by the end of the year.

AEECL is currently establishing a permanent research and conservation station in the Ankarafa forest, the largest con-tinuous area of blue-eyed black lemur habitat. This station will serve as a base for further research work and conservation measures in Sahamalaza. At the same time, together with WCS we are implementing a "Community-based natural resource management programme" in Sahamalaza, which means that we are helping the local people save their natural heritage through development programmes and conservation education.