Ankirihitra Field Work (Minimum Two Weeks)
Hosted by
Ankirihitra Field Work (Minimum Two Weeks)
- Madagascar
- Antananarivo
About Program
IMPACT Madagascar offers a minimum two-week volunteering opportunity at our Ankirihitra field site, focused on lemur conservation, habitat assessment, and long-term conservation planning.
Volunteers assist with population surveys of three lemur species: the critically endangered crowned sifaka (Propithecus coronatus), the critically endangered mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz), and the vulnerable red-brown lemur (Eulemur rufus). Survey work places particular emphasis on the mongoose lemur, a priority species for which little data currently exists. Findings are used to strengthen conservation action plans and support efforts to establish a new protected area in the region. Volunteers with specific interests may also pursue projects in behavioural ecology.
Volunteers are based at a newly constructed forest camp. Depending on the season, activities may also include reforestation, nursery work, and monitoring of restored forest areas to assess seedling survival and forest recovery.
Program Highlights
- Volunteers have the rare opportunity to observe critically endangered crowned sifakas, mongoose lemurs, and red-brown lemurs up close in their natural habitat.
- Living and working alongside local communities allows for an authentic immersion in Malagasy culture and daily life.
- Accommodation is provided at a newly constructed forest camp with flush toilets, washing facilities, and shared living spaces.
- The programme is particularly well suited to individuals with an interest in ecology, biology, or primatology who are seeking hands-on, field-based experience.
Video and Photos
Program Impact
By volunteering at Ankirihitra, participants make a direct contribution to the conservation of critically endangered lemurs and the restoration of their forest habitats. Data collected through population surveys and habitat assessments informs long-term conservation strategies, strengthens action plans, and supports the creation of a new protected area for the mongoose lemur.
Volunteers also help monitor reforested areas and care for nursery seedlings, ensuring the survival and growth of young trees. Through these efforts, every volunteer actively supports both species preservation and broader ecosystem recovery, while helping build sustainable links between research, conservation, and local communities.
