International News Madagascar - July 2013 The fifth AGS Operation Wallacea expedition took us once again to north west Madagascar, which we visited two years ago. The area is a dry forest with a lot of pressures to fell trees for timber and to take wood for charcoal, which is the main fuel for the fast growing population. Opwall scientists are highlighting the importance of conservation efforts and encouraging the local villages to look after their forest. Despite the human pressures there is abundant wildlife, with several species of lemur to be seen by day and night and a fascinating collection of reptiles-especially chameleons. All of the animals are endemic (unique) to Madagascar, and exist in relatively small numbers making the conservation efforts immensely important. Our party of 19 year 12 and year 13 students flew into Tana (Antananarivo!) the capital, then had a 2 day overland ride to the village of Mariarano, passing through the spectacular highlands which are pretty well deforested. The last few hours were in 4x4s as there was no road. On arrival, after a lunch of rice and beans, we set off on foot to the beautiful lakeside camp of Matsedroy, crossing dry rice paddies, logos over streams and wading along a river. Our baggage was taken by Zebu cart (zebu also provided excellent beef!). We camped for 3 nights here and took part in walking the lemur transects both day and night, spotting the magnificent sifakas by day and the mouse lemurs with their golden eyes caught in torchlight by night. The scientists were superb in their engagement with our students- they have been working here for at least 4 years, and they include local Malagasies as well as UK and Irish scientists. On one night walk the elusive crocodile in the lake was spotted.
The village has no electricity supply so as a gift to the clinic AGS paid for them (from our own solar panel income) to have a solar panel and car batteries to provide light at night. The kit had already arrived when we got there and we were able to present it to the clinic doctor. After a week at the forest camps we were back on the road to the island of Nosy Be near the top of Madagascar. The journey was through a lush fertile landscape with large rivers and irrigated rice and other crops. The final stage was a fast motor launch ride to the dive camp based behind a beach in Maradoca village. The students completed their dive training with the excellent young South African dive masters in this idyllic setting. The last day was spent visiting a tiny island marine reserve with spectacular fish and marine life, larger than the ones around the reef in the bay. Swimming with the turtles was an unforgettable highlight. The return to Tana was by air, when we had a day to go to a lemur park and visit the markets, and to stay once more in the amazing Manoir Rouge Hotel with its roaring firemuch needed in their cold winter nights! It was good to get back to the heat of an English summer, but armed with a great set of memories and new friends made.
From the lake camp we returned to the village where we stayed in the village camp by the school. We brought items of stationary and toys which we enjoyed giving to the children and to the Head teacher. Here at the camp there were all mod cons, with palm frond shower cubicles equipped with a mirror so the bucket shower could be a luxurious experience. There were even proper toilet seats over the long drops.
Page 15