Category Archives: News
MWC took part in the “International conference on natural wetlands of Madagascar”, 12th-14th October 2016.
The resilience of natural wetlands were at the heart of the conference organized by the Alarela project (ETH Zurich, Switzerland) at the École Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques – Université d’Antananarivo.
“A malagasy film dedicated to countrymen, particularly those living around Lake Alaotra. A second film in the editing stages, created by the AlaReLa project and entitled “the voice/the thirst of the Alaotra”. This expression addresses fundamental values, whether they be those relating to the physical environment (Lake Alaotra itself), or those of the surrounding communities. This title is also somewhat paradoxal, as the lake is a water reservoir and at the same time deficient when it comes to quenching thirst. It can however invoque water deficiency or express various frustrations experienced by residents… The complete film version will be released this year, in 2016.”
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
In the realms of the project “Alaotra – Endangered Treasures of Madagascar”, Dorcon Film visited the MWC headquarter in Germany to document the conservation efforts being conducted in Hanover. During a meeting with Prof. Jonah Ratsimbazafy, intensified future collaboration and conservation actions between GERP and MWC were discussed as well. Photo by Dorcon Film.
| Call for Papers: Management of Natural Wetlands in Madagascar: Using Landscape Approaches to Integrate Research and Practice
An international conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar from the 12th to 14th October 2016, at the University of Antananarivo, Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques The wetlands of Madagascar are extremely diverse, with ten sites recognized by the Ramsar convention for their importance, and numerous wetlands benefitting from protection as parks and reserves across the island. The biodiversity importance of the Malagasy wetlands is due to many endemic birds, fish, a lemur, a carnivore as well as numerous plants and aquatic invertebrates, but these areas are also the basis of livelihoods for many farmers and fisher folk dependent on the lakes, marshes and rivers to ensure their subsistence. A wide range of international, national and local stakeholders play essential roles in the management of these wetlands, for example the local people, researchers, managers and the authorities. There are various landscape based approaches for managing wetlands in Madagascar, and this international conference is being organized to bring together a broad range of experts involved in wetland management, including decision makers, donors as well as managers and researchers. Programme for the International Conference: Tuesday 11th October (evening): Exhibition of Photos from Lake Alaotra at the Institut Français de Madagascar. Wednesday 12th October : Plenary Presentation by Conference Host, Professor Bruno Ramamonjisoa ; Presentation of the results from the AlaReLa Research Project; Round table discussions with stakeholders from the Lake Alaotra region. A practical training workshop will then be held on how to publish scientific articles in the journal Madagascar Conservation & Development. Thursday 13th October : Presentations by local site managers of natural wetland sites from across Madagascar, as well as findings of researchers and by other stakeholders for landscape scale approaches and their application to wetlands. Plenary presentations by Professor Jean-Pierre Sorg and Dr Claude Garcia. Friday 14th October : Presentations by decision makers, donors and NGO representatives. Plenary presentation by Mr. Oely Rakotomamonjy, Regional Officer for Africa and Madagascar at the Ramsar Secretariat. Plenary Speakers: Mr. Oely Rakotomamonjy, Regional Officer for Africa and Madagascar, RAMSAR Secretariat, Switzerland Professor Jean-Pierre Sorg, Emeritus Professor, ETH Zurich. Dr Claude Garcia, ETH Zurich and CIRAD. Professeur Bruno Ramamonjisoa, ESSA, Université d’Antananarivo. Objectives of the Conference :
Organization Committee: Tahiana Ramananantoandro, Ihoby Randriamalala, Natacha Stoudmann, Lucienne Wilmé, Bruno Ramamonjisoa, Patrick Waeber, Barry Ferguson. Scientific Committee: Lucienne Wilmé, Bruno Ramamonjisoa, Patrick Waeber, Barry Ferguson. How to take part in the conference If you are interested in presenting your work during the conference, we invite you to submit a declaration of interest before the 1st September 2016. Please specify if you wish to present orally or through a poster, and if you envisage submitting a manuscript for publication of a scientific article in the wetland special issue of MCD. Abstracts (maximum 200 words) of your presentation must be submitted before the 14th of September 2016. We ask you to submit declaration of interest, abstracts by sending them to the conference email address: conferencezoneshumides2016@gmail.com The decisions of the scientific committee will be communicated no later than the 19th September 2016. |
Visit Madagascar Environmental Justice Network at: http://madagascarenvironmentaljustice.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
Incredible! The American School Antananarivo started a fundraising campaign to help safing the Alaotran Gentle Lemur. The Second Grade and their teacher Jennifer raised enough funds to allow a field trip for 24 students and teachers to visit the Alaotran Gentle Lemur in its natural habitat! With this, they support a crucial component of MWC’s educational work for the long-term survival of this unique lemur!
More details about the successful campaign are provided here (subitem “Learning to give”): http://secondswithmsjennifer.weebly.com/blog
The Warm-Up event before the Olympic Games in Rio. On July the 23th and 24th the ultimate preparation games for the porting spectacle of the year will take place in the Hannover Adventure Zoo with Madagascar Wildlife Conservation being one of the cooperation partners. There will be lots of fun and many opportunity to take part for all!
More information: https://www.zoo-hannover.de/de/programm/eventkalender/zoo-spiele
The inauguration ceremony and official opening of the new MWC seat by the head of the Alaotra-Mangoro Region, Mr Honoré RAMINOARISON, took place on the 10th of March 2016 in Ambatondrazaka. The inauguration was also attended by local authorities and the MWC and AlaReLa Teams, who will use the office as their head quarter. After a series of presentations about the history and the activities of MWC, an environmental role play were presented. The following workshop focused on improving the current conservation strategy for the NAP (Nouvelle Aire Protégée) “Lac Alaotra.”
The bandro only exists in the marshes fringing Lake Alaotra (Madagascar). Major threats are habitat destruction for rice production and pet trade. A bandro as seen in the clip here can be bought for less than 3 Euro (less than a chicken produced in a German or USA factory!), but chances of survival in captivity are slim. Lollipops and bananas won’t do the trick!
The international team of Madagascar Wildlife Conservation promotes long-term initiatives that integrate biodiversity conservation, environmental education and rural development. Thanks for supporting us in the conservation of this unique lemur and its habitat:
http://www.madagascar-wildlife-conservation.org/support-donate/
The teaser to a new Alaotra Video can be watched on Youtube: