Centre ValBio Annual Report 2017 History Centre ValBio (CVB) was created by Professor Patricia Wright in 2003 under the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments’ agree- ment with the Government of . The richness of the critically endangered plants and animals, contrasted with the poverty of the people, inspired her to help both survive in harmony.

CVB’s mission is: • To promote world-class research and biodiversity training opportunities in one of the world’s most biologically diverse and unique ecosystems; • To promote environmental stewardship by providing conservation ed- ucation and developing ecologically sustainable economic development opportunities within local communities; • To provide the local villagers with the knowledge and tools to improve their quality of life through projects focused on health and well-being.

Content Page Letter from the Executive Director 1 Research Station 3 Spreading the Word 4

Programs Research 6 Conservation 14 Capacity Building & Training 16 Community Outreach 20

Looking Ahead 28 Donor Acknowledgments 30 Letter from the Executive Director

Dear CVB friends and supporters, a driveway for access, and extend electricity 2017 has been an incredible year on many and water to the site. We also hope to raise levels. Not only have we been expanding funds for bungalows for long term research- physically, on the CVB campus and to other ers, sabbatical and emeritus professors. sites throughout Madagascar, but we have also amplified our programs, thanks to both This past year, we also expanded our com- old and new donors alike! munity outreach programs. In addition to our education and health work, we added Construction on the lower campus is un- an engineering component. With funding derway, as well as plans for developing the from Jeff and Mickey Nagel and thanks to upper campus. The foundation for the IUCN Jesse McKinney’s hard work and dedication, Save our Species (SOS) Biodiversity Center we launched the BeLocal Program. These has been excavated and construction of the innovative programs mobilize and create two-story building begins in early 2018. To beneficial collaborations for the Stony Brook make way for this new center, we relocated University (SBU) campus community. Stu- our outdoor classroom to the riverside of dents from SBU have been working with the lower campus. We thank Susan Cum- local villagers to develop simple but efficient mings-Findel, CVB Board member and solutions to improving daily lives. President of the Sunshine Comes First (SCF) Foundation, for her generous contribution Thanks to an anonymous donor, we doubled towards a new education building, and the our mobile health team by hiring a medical International Union for the Conservation of doctor and two nurses, which allows us to Nature (IUCN) and their SOS Fund for the visit our 20 target villages twice as often. We Biodiversity Center. also worked with PIVOT to send each of our respective health teams on exchange field Thanks to support from the Holtzman Wild- visits. life Foundation, architect Ali Yapiglucio visited CVB to draw final plans for the upper On the education front, we doubled the num- campus, which will soon house the Holtz- ber of remote schools participating in the man Wildlife Center. In 2018, we will install “My Rainforest, My World” education pro-

1 gram thanks to the Three Graces Foundation, Professor of Ecology and Conservation and also concluded. On a positive note, we are re- and were thrilled to host its founders Bruce oversee the new center. Congratulations Dr. viewing the options for future funding of this and Charlene Bainum in May. Jean Claude! project. SCF has continued to be a valuable partner by gifting flexible funds to further Important progress was made with SBU’s Despite the positive growth, operating in a support education and reforestation. Global Health Institute (GHI) and their developing country, especially in the current DrOTs Project to send medical drones to funding climate, presents definite challenges. One of the most important aspects of my remote villages for door-to-door delivery of One of the biggest trials in 2017 was a severe job is to raise awareness about conservation medicine and follow-up of tuberculosis treat- outbreak of the plague (both pneumonic and issues in Madagascar and generate financial ment. Led by Dr. Peter Small, GHI started bubonic). Many of our visitors postponed support for the important work that we are staffing up in Madagascar by first welcoming their research due to cases reported in our doing. This year, I have been traveling, from two postdocs, Dr. Simon Grandjean Lapierre region, which impacted CVB financially. a tour of seven U.S. universities as a Phi Beta and Dr. Astrid Knoblauch, in August. Luckily, many have re-scheduled their visits Kappa Visiting Scholar to speaking at the for 2018. Earth’s Optimism Summit in Washington, One of the most exciting developments was D.C. I also gave Keynote Addresses at two the deepening of our partnership with Rain- Another challenge has been the discontinua- creative think tanks, one in Squaw Valley and forest Trust. In conjunction with MICET, we tion of external funding for several conserva- the other in Sea Island, Georgia. are now in the process of developing two new tion and research programs. After six years, protected areas, one in eastern rainforest support for Conservation International’s As we look ahead to 2018, we are confident and the second in an “unexpected” rainforest Tropical Ecological Assessment and Monitor- that it will be fruitful, having laid much of the in southcentral Madagascar. This will help ing project (TEAM) came to a close. This was groundwork for new projects this past year. achieve the Madagascar Ministry of Environ- the only program of its kind in Madagascar; We are also looking ahead to the future by ment, Ecology and Forests’ vision of creating just one of 21 sites worldwide. Despite the drafting a 10-year strategic plan so that CVB CVB-like research stations throughout Mad- lack of financial support, our team continued may continue to support valuable research agascar. Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja became to collect data, since long-term climate mon- and provide community support for many our In-Country Director, a crucial role that itoring is an important mandate of research years to come. arose due to this expansion to new sites. stations. Sincerely, CVB also strengthened our relationship Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) funding for with the University of . A CVB one year to work with conservation clubs to Information Center was recently inaugu- grow and plant native trees, as well as to de- rated on their campus’ new green space. In velop markets for spices such as wild pepper, Dr. Patricia C. Wright 2018, Dr. Jean Claude, CVB’s current Head Founder and Executive Director of Research, will move to the university as Centre ValBio

2 As in previous years, both researchers and Station Days Research Station Use training programs led CVB’s station usage. The total number of station days in 2017 was In 2017, the Centre ValBio (CVB) Research Researchers made up 34% of those staying at 1316 (researchers) and 3840 (all visitors). Station hosted 253 individuals from 16 CVB in 2017, while 46% of visitors were part Station days decreased by 43% and 41% from different countries to conduct research in of courses and workshops. the last two years. This decrease in station or its surround- days was not only due to the plague out- ing communities, to use our laboratory, to Researchers break, but also because many researchers are participate in a training, workshop or Study spending more days in the field versus at the Abroad program, or to take a tour of our 87 individual researchers stayed at CVB in research station. facilities and attend a lecture. While numbers 2017. The average length of stay was 30 days. were down from last year (2016, with 526 in- The majority of researchers were American dividuals, was a remarkable year!) this num- (65%) and Malagasy (20%). Laboratory Use ber decreased only slightly from 2015 (with 16 researchers used CVB labs in 2017, for 280 individuals), due to 60 cancellations Scientific Tourists and Tour Groups a total number of 141 days of lab use. This during the plague outbreak. 1622 Malagasy students and 624 scientific is down from last year, with 69 researchers tourists toured CVB in 2017. using the lab for 231 days. Visitors per Month 2017

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Researchers Scientific Tourist Study Abroad CVB project

3 Spreading the Word Centre ValBio, with Dr. Patricia Wright at its helm, continues to draw international atten- tion and acclaim for its dedication to conser- vation and community, as well as innovation.

Media Coverage • Two segments, one on medical drones (with Dr. Peter Small) and the other on Ranomafana National Park and conservation (with Dr. Patricia Wright), created by Alex Marquardt and his team, were aired on ABC Nightline. • Forbes Africa featured Dr. Wright and the accomplishments of CVB in the article, “The Professor Who Saved an African Rainforest” (October 3, 2017). • RNP was featured in the Mongabay News site as part of their, “How effective is con- servation in Madagascar?” series.

Speaking Engagements University of North Carolina, Greensboro, • Dr. Wright was a Featured Speaker at the • This year, Dr. Wright was chosen as a Phi and Colorado College. Through this expo- Earth’s Optimism Summit in Washington, Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar and toured sure, several students from these schools D.C. hosted by the Smithsonian Institu- seven universities and colleges explain- participated in our 2017 Study Abroad tion and National Geographic Society, as ing the mission and accomplishments programs and we expect more in 2018. well as at the “Creativity Symposium” on of CVB. These schools included: Luther • Dr. Wright was the Keynote Address Sea Island, Georgia, about combining arts College (Iowa), Creighton University (Ne- Speaker at “Creating Equilibrium” think and sciences to make a better future. braska), The University of Pugent Sound tank held at Squaw Valley in California. • Dr. Wright, and CVB board members Dr. (Washington State), Miami University The meeting focused on the future of Tom Gillespie and Dr. Mark Krasnow (Florida), The College of New Jersey, The technology and wildlife. spoke at the one-day “Crucible” event

4 about Madagascar health of nature and communities held at Stanford University in February. Dr. Matt Bonds, co-CEO of partner organization, PIVOT, also spoke on how to integrate health and environ- ment. • CVB staff and scientists gave several pre- sentations and posters during the Inau- gural Malagasy Primatological Congress held in Tamatave in December.

Awards • On behalf of CVB, Dr. Wright was invited to the Savoy Hotel in London to the Brit- ish Guild of Travel Writers to receive an award for its contributions to ecological traveling. Thanks to Sarah Tucker for the nomination. • In December, Dr. Wright was named a “Natural World Hero”, a prestigious award from the Australian Traveler’s Guild.

In addition, Dr. Pat Wright and CVB scien- tists marched in Washington, D.C. during this year’s “March for Science”.

We also produced several VaoVao ValBio newsletters this year, and aired the IUCN Save our Species Lemur Podcasts on local radio stations.

5 Research Ivohibory “Unexpected Forest” In 2016, CVB conducted inventories in the CVB continues to be Madagascar’s premier northern part of the forest. In 2017, we center for biodiversity, technology, and surveyed the southern half during a ten-day human health-related research. This year we expedition headed by Dr. Patricia Wright and published 27 papers in scientific journals Pascal Rabeson. The multi-disciplinary team and, one of our researchers, Ryan Rothman, carried out an inventory of plants, birds, won the favorite student presentation award bats, insects, amphibians and reptiles, le- during the first Malagasy Primatological Con- murs, and small mammal communities. Mar- gress (Lemur Congress 2017) held in Tamat- ta and Andrezj Kepel, scientists from Poland, ave, Madagascar. captured three species of bats, two of them 600 km out of their geographic range. CVB’s Long-term surveys in Ranomafana botany team and one local guide collected National Park (RNP) fertile plants, and established botanical plots. CVB continued its long term research on the demography, diet, and social behavior of Seed dispersal studies of Lemur catta were three lemur species Greater Bamboo Lemur conducted by Ryan Rothman, Imperial (Prolemur simus), Golden Bamboo Lemur College, London (in April), and studies of (Hapalemur aureus) and Milne-Edwards’ Sifaka (Propithecus edwardsii).

The CVB research team continued taking data on growth, fruiting, and flowering patterns in rainforest trees. The importance of monitoring is highlighted by the identifi- cation, for the first time ever, of a rare tree fungus, known to be present in nearby Mau- ritius. This fungus killed 65% of the Chryso- phyllum paniculata trees,an important food for six species of ,in the southern half of RNP. CVB is currently working with re- searchers at the University of Fianarantsoa to find ways to stop the disease.

236 L. catta diet and infant development were conducted from September to December by Gabrielle Bueno, University of Rochester.

Preliminary results show that L. catta eat more than twice the number of plant species in the rainforest than in the dry forest. Bueno found that infant L. catta in the rainforest show developmental landmarks at least two weeks later than L. catta in the dry forest.

Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) CVB Board Member, Dr. Steig Johnson, Despite Conservation International funding is interested in community-wide patterns of primate diversity. Specifically, he aims ending, Claude Ralazampirenena continued Terrestrial Vertebrates to lead TEAM and take long-term data collec- to understand how natural and human-in- tion on climate and changes in biodiversity Sixty digital camera trap sampling points duced environmental changes might struc- using the same methodology. (one camera every 2 km²) monitor terrestrial ture lemur communities – what lemurs are vertebrate species in the Ranomafana TEAM present in local areas, as well as the compo- sites. Sampling is conducted during the dry sition of their ecological traits (for example, season for 30 days. A total of 12,068 im- body size and diet). The variation in func- ages have been recorded of 27 vertebrate tional diversity (the distribution of eco- species belonging to 25 genera. Wide- logical niches) of lemur communities may spread species, such as Red Forest Rat (Ne- have important feedbacks with their envi- somys rufus), Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), ronments, as lemurs play many important Striped Civet (Fossa fossana), and Red River roles in ecosystem function. Since 2004, Dr. Hog (Potamochoerus larvatus) were record- Johnson has been working with Dr. Wright ed within most of the three arrays. The most to survey lemur populations and their hab- interesting images from the camera traps itats across sites within RNP. In 2015, Dr. were the detection of some rare species such Johnson and his graduate students began to as the Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascar- resurvey these sites to investigate changes iensis), Broad-striped Malagasy Mongoose over time. This research involves a number (Galidictis fasciata) and the Greater Bamboo of collaborators, including Dr. Kerry Brown Lemur (Prolemur simus). (Kingston University), Dr. Onja Razafind- ratsima (College of Charleston) and Dr. Amy Dunham (Rice University). 7 Climate Participatory Ecological Monitoring During this La Niña year, the TEAM meteo- This year, we continued working with local rological station recorded higher than aver- community members to collect data on 13 age temperatures and an extended period of forest fragments surrounding RNP. The data drought which started in 2016 and extended shows that the extent and type of pressure in into 2017. In January 2017, Ranomafana re- the different fragments are different. Logging ceived eight days of rain with a total rainfall and slash and burn agriculture continue to be of 108.58 mm for the month (compared to the most common activities. However, we did January 2016 when 432.8 mm were record- note a decrease in the number of infractions ed). The total amount of precipitation in 2017 in the forest fragments, showing the positive was 4302.8 mm compared to 3172.7 mm outcome of integrating long-term monitoring in 2016. The monthly average temperature and engagement of local communities in increased by 1.2 °C from 2016. conservation efforts.

2017 Climograph of Ranomafana

25,0 853,2 900,0

21,0 800,0 20,1 20,9 20,3 20,0 19,1 700,0 18,8 C)

° 596,0 17,1 18,5 15,6 16,8 600,0 15,0 509,80 14,7 464,7 500,0 14,3 446,2 427,2 400,0 10,0 300,0 246,0 236,2 (mm) Precipitation 215,2 MeanTemperature ( 200,0 5,0 134,4 98,4 75,4 100,0

0,0 0,0 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Rain (mm) Temp (ºC)

8 Researchers in 2017

Biodiversity Research Megan Aylward, PhD student from the Uni- versity of Calgary working with Dr. Steig Johnson, searched for aye-ayes unsuccessful- ly in Analamary forest (the southern half of the “Unexpected Rainforest”).

Dr. Andrea Baden (Hunter College) and Randy Junge, DVM (Columbus Zoo) darted Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia var- iegata) in the Mangevo area in August 2017. They collared these lemurs in order to mon- itor their reproductive physiology and infant care strategy and have been monitoring them since. Jonathan Clayton, University of Minnesota, Gabrielle Bueno, University of Rochester, is conducting a comparative study of lemur is assessing the effects of different habitats microbiomes as part of the Primate Microbi- types on the development of Lemur catta ome Project. infants in the Ivohibory “Unexpected Rain- forest”. Mariah Donahue, University of Kentucky, is examining whether Varecia variegata Santiago Cassalett, City University of NY modify their behavior in response to human Graduate School, looked at lemur nutrition disturbances in RNP and Manombo Reserve. (Eulemur rufifrons; Eulemur rubriventer; Propithecus edwardsi and Varecia variega- Dr. Amy Dunham, Rice University, continued ta) as a mechanism for niche separation. studying the impact of frugivore movements (Varecia variegata, Eulemur rufifrons, Caitlyn Cooper, , studied Eulemur rubriventer, Eidolon dupreanum long-term change in lemur biodiversity and and Pteropus rufus) on seed dispersal, plant forest edge effects in RNP. community structure and biodiversity.

9 Mai Fahmy, Fordham University, studied Dr. Onja Razafindratsima, College of preferred hosts of leeches as a rapid tech- Charleston, Camille Desisto and Abagail Bur- nique of monitoring biodiversity. rus, Harvard University, and Vero Narindra, University of , looked at mech- Dr. Caitlyn Karenewsky and Joseph Pendle- anisms and consequences of the invasion of ton, Stanford University, Hajanirina Razafin- Psidium cattleianum in the rainforest. drakoto and Andriamahery Razafindrakoto, University of Antananarivo, continued Dr. Ryan Rothman, Imperial College (UK), Mark Krasnow’s long-term “Mouse Lemur examined the role of seed dispersers in RNP Genome Project”. and Ivohibory Forests and how ecological niches are shared by diurnal lemurs. Andrzej Kepel and Marta Kepel, Polish So- CVB Board Member Dr. Thomas Gilles- ciety for Nature Conservation, studied bryo- Diary Razafimandimby returned to CVB to pie of Emory University continues to lead phytes, lichens and bats in Analamary Forest. work on Dr. Omer Nevo’s project (German the “EcoHealth Madagascar Project”. This Primate Center) on the chemical ecology of project examines how and why anthropo- Alicia Lamb, and seed dispersal by lemurs. genic influences within the tropical forests Eliette Noromalala, University of Antanan- of Madagascar alter disease dynamics and arivo, conducted a study of the Lepilemur Julie Reniers, Université de Liège (Belgium), place lemurs, people, and other animals population at Ifaty on the southwest coast of looked at daily path length, home range size, at increased risk of pathogen exchange. Madagascar. and group spread of Eulemur rubriventer Through this research and associated con- and Eulemur rufifrons in RNP. servation activities, the team strives to Amanda Mancini, City University of NY promote wildlife and human health, while Graduate School, spent nearly one year study- Amanda Rowe, Stony Brook University, ensuring the sustainability of the ecosys- ing the impact of anthropogenic fragmenta- examined diet and nutrition of Propithecus tems within which they live. Dr. Gillespie tion and loss of habitats on the diversity and edwardsi infants. Her dissertation will study introduced a number of new collaborators genetic structure of Varecia variegata. insect eating by Microcebus sp. to CVB in 2017 including: Dr. Joel Hart- ter (Associate Professor of Environmental Elise Morton visited as part of a recognition Juliette Rubin, Boise State University, ex- Sciences at UC Boulder) and Dr. Ria Ghai phase for an eventual project on restoration . amined the effects of moonlight on preda- (Post-Doctoral Researcher, Emory) in tor-prey interactions (bats) over rice fields. March; and Leo Ragazzo (Research Special- Katherine Kling, Stony Brook University, is ist, Emory), Sarah Durry (Masters of De- examining biodiversity persistence in various Elizabeth Tapanes, George Washington Uni- velopment Practice Student, Emory), Lydia size forest fragments adjacent to RNP. versity, conducted lab work at CVB on molec- Rautman (Scholars Program, Emory), and ular biology of lemur hair samples. Kathleen Noble (Ecology Student, Princeton 10 University) in May to August. Jadelys Tonos and Ella Matsuda, Rice Uni- Jesse McKinney, CVB Chief Technology Harmony’, accompanied by Maya Moore, versity, are studying ecological interactions. Advisor, oversees the technology-related CVB Chief Technical Advisor, spent a week Jade is also working on bat conservation aspects. conducting participatory appraisals using education. their “Radical Listening” technique with Ian Alexander Passe, SBU student, focused communities around Manombo Reserve in Dr. Sarah Zohdy, Auburn University and on understanding the perception of health southeastern Madagascar. Nina Finley, Watson Fellow, are studying technologies, specifically drones, among in- why loss of habitat connectivity leads to dividuals living in remote Malagasy villages. In July 2017, Daniella Rabino completed zoonotic disease emergence in human com- The study methods involved in-depth inter- her fieldwork for her PhD dissertation from munities. By using mouse lemurs and mos- views, surveys and participatory observation. Center of International Education, Sussex quitoes as a model for this system, they aim University, UK entitled “Rethinking sustain- to better understand the mechanisms behind Lulua Bahrainwala, University of California, able identities: listening to children around why vector borne pathogens evolve and move San Francisco, under the supervision of Dr. Madagascar’s forest”. through ecological systems. Peter Small, carried an economic evaluation of DrOTS compared to Directly Observed Health Research Treatment Short Course (DOTS) for treat- Dr. Peter Small of the Global Health Institute ment of drug sensitive tuberculosis. (GHI) at Stony Brook University (SBU) con- tinued overseeing medical student research Social & Engineering-Solutions Re- missions in collaboration with Dr. Luis Mar- search cos, SBU Medical school, and Dr. Ines Vi- Rebecca Dellicarpini conducted anthropolog- gan-Womas, Institute Pasteur – Madagascar. ical research on the enrollment of local peo- ple in the conservation apparatus at Centre Drone Observed Therapy System (DrOTS) ValBio research station. Dr. Simon Grandjean Lapierre is a trained infectious diseases specialist and medical Leila Esmailzada, 2016 SBU Study Abroad microbiologist.He is the coordinator of the Student, returned along with Acacia Leakey, DrOTS project and acts as research coordina- SBU, to work on the BeLocal Project to iden- tor for SBU-GHI Institute in Madagascar. tify engineering solutions to everyday chal- lenges in Madagascar. They were joined by Dr. Astrid Knoblauch, based at Institute Mickie Nagel, one of the founders of BeLocal. Pasteur Madagascar in Tana, is in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation of DrOTS. The team from the non-profit ‘Health in

11 2017 Publication List Model Organism for Primate Biology, Behavior, structure of tree communities shed light on his- and Health. Genetics 206(2): 651-664 torical processes influencing tropical rainforest Eronen, J. T., Zohdy, S., Evans, A. R., Tecot, S. diversity. Ecography 40: 521–530 DOI:10.1111/ R., Wright, P. C., & Jernvall, J. (2017). Feeding Scheffers, B. R., Edwards, D. P., Macdonald, S. ecog.02104 Ecology and Morphology Make a Bamboo Spe- L., Senior, R. A., Andriamahohatra, L. R., Ro- cialist Vulnerable to Climate Change. Current slan, N., Rogers, A.M., Haugaasen, T., Wright, López-Baucells, A., Rocha, R., Andriatafika, Z., Biology 27(21): 3384-3389 P.C. & Williams, S. E. (2017). Extreme thermal Tojosoa, T., Kemp, J., Forbes, K., & Cabeza, M. heterogeneity in structurally complex tropical (2017). Roost selection by synanthropic bats in Raulo, A., Ruokolainen, L., Lane, A., Amato, rain forests. Biotropica 49(1): 35-44 rural Madagascar: what makes non-tradition- K., Knight, R., Leigh, S., Stumpf, R., White, B., al structures so tempting? Hystrix, the Italian Nelson, K.E., Baden, A.L. & Tecot, S. R. (2017). Razafindratsima, O. H. (2017). Post-dispersal Journal of Mammalogy 28(1) Social behaviour and gut microbiota in red-bel- seed removal by rodents in Ranomafana rain lied lemurs (Eulemur rubriventer): In search of forest, Madagascar. Journal of Tropical Ecology Ndriantsoa, S. H., Riemann, J. C., Raminosoa, the role of immunity in the evolution of sociality. 1-5. N., Rödel, M. O., & Glos, J. S. (2017). Amphibian Journal of Animal Ecology DOI: 10.1111/1365- Diversity in the Matrix of a Fragmented Land- 2656.12781 Vences, M., Brown, J. L., Lathrop, A., Rosa, G. scape Around Ranomafana in Madagascar De- M., Cameron, A., Crottini, A., Dolch, R., Ed- pends on Matrix Quality. Tropical Conservation Razafindratsima, O. H., Brown, K. A., Carvalho, monds, D., Freeman, K.L.M., Glaw, F., Grismer, Science 10 DOI:1940082916686065. F., Johnson, S. E., Wright, P. C., & Dunham, L.L., Litvinchuk, S., Milne, M.G., Moore, M., A. E. (2017). Edge effects on components of Solofo, J.F., Noel, J., Nguyen, T.Q., Ohler, A., Lambert, S. M., Hutter, C. R., & Scherz, M. D. diversity and above-ground biomass in a trop- Randrianantoandro, C., Raselimanana, A.P., van (2017). Diamond in the rough: a new species of ical rainforest. Journal of Applied Ecology Leeuwen, P., Wogan, G.O.U., Ziegler, T., An- fossorial diamond frog (Rhombophryne) from DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12985 dreone, F. & R. Murphy. (2017). Tracing a toad Ranomafana National Park, southeastern Mad- invasion: lack of mitochondrial DNA variation, agascar. Zoosystematics and Evolution 93(1) McGee, E., & Vaughn, S. (2017). Of lemurs and haplotype origins, and potential distribution 143–155 louse flies: The biogeochemical and biotic effects of introduced Duttaphrynus melanostictus in of forest disturbance on Propithecus edwardsi Madagascar. Amphibia-Reptilia 38(2):197-207 Mukundarajan, H., Hol, F. J., Castillo, E. A., and its obligate ectoparasite Allobosca crassipes Newby, C., & Prakash, M. (2017). Using Mobile in Ranomafana National Park, southeastern Carlucci, M. B., Seger, G. D. S., Sheil, D., Ama- Phones As Acoustic Sensors For High-Through- Madagascar. American Journal of Primatology ral, I. L., Chuyong, G. B., Ferreira, L. V., Galatti, put Surveillance Of Mosquito Ecology. bioRxiv 79(8) DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22676 U., Hurtado, J., Kenfack, D., Leal, D. C., Lewis, 120519 S. L., Lovett, J. C., Marshall, A. R., Martin, E., Ezran, C., Karanewsky, C. J., Pendleton, J. L., Mugerwa, B., Munishi, P., Oliveira, Á. C. A., Blanco, M. B., Elfawal, M. A., Durden, L. A., Sholtz, A., Krasnow, M. R., Willick, J., Razafin- Razafimahaimodison, J. C., Rovero, F., Sainge, Beati, L., Xu, G., Godfrey, L. R., & Rich, S. M. drakoto, A., Zohdy, S., Albertelli, M.A. & Kras- M. N., Thomas, D., Pillar, V. D. and Duarte, (2013). Genetic diversity of ixodid ticks parasit- now, M. A. (2017). The Mouse Lemur, a Genetic L. D. S. (2017). Phylogenetic composition and izing eastern mouse and dwarf lemurs in Mad-

12 agascar, with descriptions of the larva, nymph, Zohdy, S., Bisanzio, D., Tecot, S., Wright, P. C., car with a comparison of Kato-Katz technique and male of Ixodes lemuris (Acari: Ixodidae). & Jernvall, J. (2017). Aggression and hormones against spontaneous sedimentation technique. The Journal of Parasitology 99(1):11-18 are associated with heterogeneity in parasitism Annals of Global Health 83(1):63 and parasite dynamics in the brown mouse le- Crowley, B. E., Slater, P. A., Arrigo-Nelson, S. J., mur. Animal Behaviour 132: 109-119 Jacobs RL, Spriggs AN, Baden AL, Irwin MT, Baden, A. L., & Karpanty, S. M. (2017). Stron- Wright PC, Louis EE, Lawler RR, Bradley BJ. tium isotopes are consistent with low elevation Setash, C. M., Zohdy, S., Gerber, B. D., & 2016. Primate genotyping via High Resolution foraging limits for Henst’s goshawk. Wildlife Karanewsky, C. J. (2017). A biogeographical per- Melt Analysis (HRMA): Rapid and reliable iden- Society Bulletin. spective on the variation in mouse lemur den- tification of color vision status in wild lemurs. sity throughout Madagascar. Mammal Review Primates 57: 541-547 Guglielmino, A., Olmi, M., Marletta, A., & 47(3): 212-229 Speranza, S. (2017). Description of the first Jacobs, R. L., MacFie, T. S., Spriggs, A. N., species of Gonadryinus Olmi (Hymenoptera, Farris, Z. J., Gerber, B. D., Valenta, K., Rafaliar- Baden, A. L., Morelli, T. L., Irwin, M. T., Lawler, Dryinidae) from the Afrotropical region. Zoot- ison, R., Razafimahaimodison, J. C., Larney, E., R. R., Pastorini, J., Mayor, M., Lei, R., & Cul- axa 4238(3):440-444. Rajaonarivelo, T., Randriana, Z., Wright, P. C., ligan, R. (2017). Novel opsin gene variation in & Chapman, C. A. (2017). Threats to a rainforest large-bodied, diurnal lemurs. Biology Letters Brook, C. E., Bai, Y., Emily, O. Y., Ranaivoson, carnivore community: A multi-year assessment 13:20170050 H. C., Shin, H., Dobson, A. P., Metcalf, J.E., of occupancy and co-occurrence in Madagas- Koso, M.Y. & Dittmar, K. (2017). Elucidating car. Biological Conservation 210:116-124 Kappeler, P. M., Cuozzo, F. P., Fichtel, C., Gan- transmission dynamics and host-parasite-vec- zhorn, J. U., Gursky-Doyen, S., Irwin, M. T., tor relationships for rodent-borne Bartonella Ganzhorn JU, Arrigo-Nelson SJ, Carrai V, Chal- Ichino, S., Lawler, R., Nekaris, K. A. I., Rama- spp. in Madagascar. Epidemics DOI: 10.1016/j. ise MK, Donati G, Droescher I, Eppley TM, Irwin namanjato, J. B., Radespiel, U., Sauther, M. L., epidem.2017.03.004 MT, Koch F, Koenig A, Kowalewski MM, Mowry Wright, P. C., Zimmermann, E. (2017). Long- CB, Patel ER, Pichon C, Ralison J, Reisdorff C, term field studies of lemurs, lorises, and tarsi- Eppley, T. M., Tan, C. L., Arrigo-Nelson, S. J., Simmen B, Stalenberg E, Starrs D, Terboven J, ers. Journal of Mammalogy 98 661-669. Donati, G., Ballhorn, D. J., & Ganzhorn, J. U. Wright PC, Foley WJ. 2017. The importance of (2017). High Energy or Protein Concentrations protein in leaf selection of folivorous primates. in Food as Possible Offsets for Cyanide Con- American Journal of Primatology 79(4):1-3 sumption by Specialized Bamboo Lemurs in Madagascar. International Journal of Primatol- Choi K, Hakami L, Castle P, Kiernan J, Wright ogy 38(5): 881-899 PC. 2017. Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted helminthiasis and taeniasis in rural communi- Crouse, D., Jacobs, R. L., Richardson, Z., Klum, ties near Ranomafana National Park, Madagas- S., Jain, A., Baden, A. L., & Tecot, S. R. (2017). LemurFaceID: A face recognition system to facil- itate lemur conservation. BMC Zoology 2: 2-14

13 Two workshops to train local residents to Conservation study biodiversity, make firebreaks, and Creation of New Community use camera traps have been very successful. Nicolas Rasolonjatovo and Paul Rakotonirina Protected Areas also led a reforestation training in . As part of the CVB expansion encouraged by the Madagascar Ministry of Environment, Two researchers are studying the behavior Ecology and Forests, CVB and MICET are and ecology of Lemur catta living in the Ivo- now in the process of developing two new hibory rainforest. In April 2017, Ryan Roth- community protected areas (PAs), one in man from Imperial College took a CVB team the eastern rainforests at Evato, Karianga, to study lemur seed dispersal. Starting from and the second in south central Madagascar. September, Gabrielle Bueno began studying These PAs are made possible with funding infant development and feeding behavior. from Rainforest Trust. Early results indicate that rainforest L. catta eat and disperse nearly ten times as many The “Unexpected Rainforest” of Ivohibory is seeds as their dry forest counterparts. Bue- located in the District of no’s study on eight infants suggests that in- Region, approximately 60 kilometers south- fant independence is reached two weeks later east of Ihosy. It has approximately 1400 in the rainforest than in the dry forest. hectares of pristine primary forest surround- ed by human-caused savannah. Leona Raso- In May 2017, the first expedition to the lonirina is the On-site Manager of this new southern Analamary forest was undertaken. PA, and Benjamin Andriamihaja and Elia Joining the CVB team were Patricia Wright, Rabenandrasana are overseeing the project Noel Rowe, James Lewis (Rainforest Trust’s from Antananarivo. Director of Conservation Programs), Andrezj and Marta Kepel, Steig Johnson and Meghan Starting in September 2016, Patricia Wright, Alyward. As we negotiated with zebu herders Pascal Rabeson, the CVB team and hosts of and village leaders for access to the forest, international researchers have carried out the mountain views were stunning. several biodiversity expeditions to invento- ry the unique fauna and flora found in this Through meetings with the regional and local forest island, isolated for many years. New authorities in Ihorombe and Ihosy, we have species of trees, frogs and even lemurs make forged important relationships, and are on this forest a high priority. our way to making this a legal PA.

14 Income generating activities related to reforestation The reforestation team is helping villagers access new sources of income through the promotion of shade-grown cash crops.

Madagascar is famous for its high quality vanilla. Although the highest quality is grown in the north and managed by large compa- nies, we hope to develop a market in our region and train local farmers to improve the quality. The CRS/CVB reforestation team is working closely with one vanilla farmer in Ranomafana. Two kilograms of cured va- nilla were sold this year; we plan to sell larger quantities to international fair trade compa- nies in the future. Reforestation Reforestation efforts extended to 13 village CVB also aims to increase the size of RNP by associations which create and maintain The world demand for black and pink pepper restoring degraded areas around the park, as their own endemic tree nurseries. 16,000 is increasing exponentially. Pepper experts well as to fulfill the vision of reforesting from seedlings were planted in February. During tested the wild pepper coming from RNP and the eastern forest corridor to the ocean as a follow-up in November, the survival rate scored it extremely high on flavor. Our local part of the “Forest to Sea” Project. of these seedlings was about 70% and some wild pepper (tsiperifery) is an endemic liana, trees were already one to two meters in so it needs a tree tutor to grow. Traditional In 2017, with the support of Catholic Re- height. harvesting techniques include cutting the lief Services (CRS), the CVB reforestation pepper vine, cutting down both the vine and team, led by Nicolas Rasolonjatovo, planted Many groups assisted CVB with our refor- tutor together, which is obviously harmful for 23,000 seedlings of 11 different endem- estation activities, from village school chil- the tree, as well as the wild pepper itself. To ic tree species from the forest. Six of these dren, to Study Abroad and Culture Connect prevent this, the reforestation team has been species are particularly good for large scale students, to Madagascar National Parks. working with villagers to domesticate the reforestation project as they are strong, As the children in Ambatolahy have their wild pepper in nurseries. So far, this project fast-growing and useful for the soil, animals own endemic tree nursery, they also planted is going well in Ambodivoangy and Ambo- and humans. around 1,300 seedlings. dirafia.

15 SBU Winter Internship Program - January Capacity Building & 2017 Training In January, 15 students participated in the We are proud to announce three completed first ever Winter Internship. Under the guid- PhDs that were based on lemur research: Dr. ance of Tharcisse Ukitinzambara and teach- Gena Sbeglia (Stony Brook University), Dr. ing assistants, Mariah Donahue and Franck Tuomas Aivelo (University of Helsinki) and Rabenahy, students dedicated themselves to Dr. Andry Herman Rafalimanana (University three-week internships ranging from study- of Antananarivo). We also had three Masters ing amphibian diversity in RNP, accompa- defenses successfully completed: two from nying rural community health expeditions, Stony Brook University (Mariah Donahue assisting with an environmental education and Alicia Lamb) and one from University of workshop and participating in innovative Évora, Portugal (Mariana Matos). health and engineering activities. Ten of the 15 interns were SBU students, three were from other SUNY schools and two students Study Abroad at CVB joined us from SUSTEC University in Guang- Every year, groups of students come from dong, China. around the world come to study at CVB. In 2017, 117 students from high school and university levels participated in Study Abroad programs. The University of Florida returned for a second year in a row, and two high school programs organized by Culture Connect and National Geographic/Putney Student Travel came for the first time. All three groups hope to return in 2018.

Stony Brook University (SBU) This year, we successfully completed three SBU Study Abroad programs for a total of 45 students participating in the Winter, Sum- mer and Fall programs, our inaugural, eighth and 24th programs, respectively!

16 SBU Study Abroad Summer 2017 (Estab- Four students worked with the health team. lished 2008) Ezz looked at the correlation between village This five-week program took place between infrastructure and the prevalence of para- late May and early July. During this session, sites in children and adolescents near RNP students were exposed to a range of knowl- using a 15-question survey and conducting a edge and experiences including Malagasy fecal sample analysis in CVB’s lab. Amanda language, health, environmental education, carried out an evaluation on local knowledge ecosystem diversity, and research. The pro- of emergency and critical care options avail- gram included lectures, field exercises, and able. Kylie and Cindy looked at reproductive a cross-country trip. Students also designed health care access through surveys and inter- independent research projects, covering a view, and Ian investigated what local percep- large spectrum of issues. One student group tions of drone use for medical care. The re- sults of these projects were presented at the conducted a healthcare internship focusing Study Abroad Success Story on respiratory health of Malagasy children University at Fianarantsoa in November to a in rural Madagascar. Project results of these crowd of over 100 students and professors. Dr. Tanjona Ramiadantsoa said of his Stony were presented at CVB in Ranomafana and at Brook University Study Abroad experience the American Embassy in Antananarivo. University of Helsinki - RESPECT at CVB in 2007, “This is where it all started for me”. An applied mathematics major at The RESPECT Course continued their Con- the University of Antananarivo, Tanjona SBU Fall 2017 (established 1993) servation Biology Study Abroad program decided to join the program to learn more after a one-year hiatus. The conservation-fo- Between September 4 and November 21, 19 about biodiversity, a unique opportunity cused program, started in 2008, brings to- students (17 from the United States and two that he says he is glad that he took. His gether students from Finland and Madagas- from Madagascar) participated in the SBU independent project involved creating a car to experience conservation in the field for Fall 2017 semester. U.S. students came from simple deforestation model specific to the a period of four weeks. The students gathered a wide-range of colleges and universities village of Ambodiaviavy. After earning his ecological data comparing RNP and frag- including SBU, SUNY College of Environ- Masters, he then moved to the University of mented landscapes around the park, and got mental Science and Forestry, Lawrence Uni- Helsinki where he worked under Drs. Ilkka acquainted with social science methods to versity, Luther College, and the University Hanski and Otso Ovaskainen. His doctoral understand the complexities of conservation. of California at Davis. The program focused research was on deforestation in the forest on biodiversity, endemism, endangered and corridor, from Andringitra to Ranomafana, This year, students’ focus was on vegeta- invasive species of plants and animals, Mal- as well as on dung beetles. He was also a tion, birds and pest control. They spent five agasy culture and language, and ecosystem teaching assistant for the RESPECT pro- days at the Vatoharanana camp site in the diversity. gram. Now on his second postdoctoral posi- park, and five days at the village of Torotosy tion at the University of Madison, Tanjona has returned to CVB for the second year in a row to teach an ecological modeling course. 17 to compare predation rates (by using play- Volunteers and Interns SBU Medical Interns dough caterpillars) in forest fragments and Volunteers and interns continue to be an For the second consecutive year, four first- agricultural lands. They discovered that, integral part of the work at CVB. This year, year medical students engaged in 10 weeks although the forest fragments do not differ we were grateful to have the continued as- of summer research. In conjunction with the greatly in vegetation structure from plots in sistance of Linda Hansford, as well as from Global Health Institute, the Institute Pasteur the park, the fact of being small and isolated Beata Hranaiova of the Accounting for In- and CVB, Benjamin Schwartz, Liana Lang- translates into large impacts for biodiversi- ternational Development non-profit, who don-Embry, Emily Rosewood and Annabelle ty: bird species richness and abundance was both worked with our finance team. Julie Jones researched the prevalence and cultural particularly diminished in the fragments, Watts assisted families in house/latrine practices leading to neurocysticercosis by pig and so was the pressure on caterpillars (i.e. construction, community development and tapeworm in District, along with reduced pest control). These findings were reforestation efforts. Julie Reniers and Nida assessing the efficacy of pro-type tubercu- taken with interest by the villagers of Toroto- Mirza were our lemur behavior interns. Chris losis therapy. Jones and Redwood received sy at a final seminar held in Malagasy lan- Collins from SBU also helped teach statistical funding from the prestigious David E. Rogers guage at CVB. software use to CVB staff. Student Fellowship by the New York Acade- my of Medicine.

Workshops, Meetings and Trainings CVB’s facilities are utilized by partners and CVB itself to organize workshops, meetings and trainings. In 2017, the Rainforest Trust project funded two biodiversity training workshops for community members living around the Ivohibory Protected Area. Catho- lic Relief Services and Peace Corps organized a Youth Summit for 100 youth from the surrounding area. New CVB partner, Health in Harmony, held a training on how to use “Radical Listening” with communities.

CVB staff also has the opportunity to attend meetings and trainings off campus. Dr. Jean Claude Razafimahaimodison and Raivo Rakotonoely participated in the training on

18 “Dried Blood Spot” technique with Cassidy Environmental Education Rist, organized by PIVOT. Solo and his kitch- Michelle Hiarimisanirina en staff at CVB also received several trainings Marie Felicite Voahanginirina to add new dishes to their repertoire, one Fenosoa Herivola Rakotonirina of which was with Guy Ralaizamary, one of Fatoumata Bathily Madagascar’s top chefs. Harimalala Ernestine Ramanantenasoa Jean Jacques Randriamiandrisoa In July 2017, Dina Andrianoely traveled Mamitiana Tolojanahary furthest of all to attend a prestigious inter- national GIS training at the University of Plant Biology, Use and Pollination California – Davis and has returned with new map-making skills. Eloi Rajaonasy Eugene Mangalaza Staff presented CVB research during the Andry Tahina Raharilanto Research Forum on Agrobiodiversity held in Njaratiana Jose Rajoma November at the University of Fianarantsoa, Demetrius Ella Delphine Harisoamalala as well as at the first meeting of the Malagasy Hortensia Raharisoa Andritiana Primatological Society held in Tamatave. Dr. Emie Cristy Andrinirina Jonah Ratsimbazafy, who received his doc- Malagasy Student Research Herilanto Alain Andrianjafy Nasolotafika Mahary Andriamananjara torate from SBU, was the main organizer. Capacity building of Malagasy university students is an important component of CVB’s Dr. Wright gave a keynote address on the Freshwater Ecology work. Dr. Jean Claude Razafimahaimodison, future of lemur conservation. Lovasoa Razaf- Tsiory Mashiyyat Ndriambola CVB Research Director, served on the advi- indravony, coordinator of the “My Rainfor- sory committees of 28 students from the est, My World” program, gave an excellent Sustainable Development and Human Universities of Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, presentation on the development of radio Dimensions of Conservation Diego, Toliara, and Antananarivo, resulting podcasts for lemur education, and Ryan in 7 “Licenses” and one Masters. Fenosoa Herivola Rakotonirina Rothman, CVB researcher, presented his Mazoto Minosoa Ines Manamihanta work on seed dispersal by lemurs. Dr. Razaf- Lemur Research Fidele Razafimamonjy imaihaimodison, Dina Andrianoely and Paul Georges Razafindramavo Rakatonirina presented two posters, one on Hantanirina Paulette Rasoarimalala the diet of Propithecus in relation to repro- Njiva Alexandre Randriambololonaritoky duction, and the other on how the effects of climate change impact lemurs.

19 Community Outreach Centre ValBio is working in over 50 com- munities around Ranomafana National Park (RNP) to provide environmental education and access to healthcare, as well as to facili- tate community development and strengthen income-generating opportunities.

Ambalakindresy “[When we created Tsaratanana the park] we made a social contract with the villagers. If they’d stop going into the forest to hunt, we’d make sure they had schools and clinics.” Patricia C. Wright, interview in New York Times, 2014

Ifanadiana

Androy

Map Legend Conservation Club Environmental Art Health My Rainforest, My World Program Road Participatory Ecological Monitoring River Reforestation District 0 5 10 20 Ranomafana National Park Commune Km Environmental Education “This Lemur Life” Podcast Series My Rainforest, My World In 2017, CVB completed a 10-part podcast The My Rainforest, My World (MRMW) New Education Center series and accompanying education pack after-school program coordinated by Lovasoa Thanks to Susan Cummings-Findel and the about two Tanala children who learn about Razafindravony, now in its third year,brings Sunshine Comes First (SCF) Foundation, the different lemur species found in RNP. participatory science and critical thinking CVB began construction on the new IUCN To thank everyone who contributed to the lessons to 3rd and 4th grade students in re- Save our Species (SOS)-SCF Education Cen- project, a celebration was organized at CVB mote village schools surrounding RNP. Each ter on the riverside of our lower campus. This in May. Actors, traditional storytellers from lesson consists of classroom theory aug- center will have an amphitheater space for surrounding villages, schoolchildren, and mented with a mixture of games and other community members and school children to local authorities were invited. Students from hands-on activities. This year, the program attend film showings, as well as musical and Menarano gave a wonderful performance supported the creation of pedagogical mate- theatrical performances. It will also be used based on the lesson featuring the bamboo rials contained in the “Herp Activity Pack” to highlight and share the research accom- lemur species. To spread the word about this by CVB’s Artist-in-Residence, Rasolo. At plishments by students, researchers and CVB new teaching tool, CVB and NGO Yes Tafita! the end of the second school year, CVB and staff to local people, authorities and partners. held a two-day training in July with conser- the MRMW team were also very pleased to vation partners from across the island. welcome Bruce and Charlene Bainum from the Three Graces Foundation, which has been supporting this successful program, and share with them the program in the Man- drivany school.

Remote village schools were chosen because these areas typically receive less support from the government compared with eas- ier-to-access areas (e.g. villages along the road). For example, in the communities that we work in, only about one quarter of the teachers are paid by the government, while 75% are supported by the community.

For the first two years of the program, MRMW worked in 10 schools and had ap- proximately 220 participants. During the

21 2017-2018 school year, we are proud to have In order to evaluate the students’ learning, meat) to all program participants. Providing doubled the program to include 20 schools at the end of each term, students present healthy noontime meals is a great way to and 453 students. what they have learned to their parents and keep children in school for more hours of the classmates. Presentations may take the form day, while improving their focus in the class- Each MRMW class was able to visit RNP of poems, songs, skits or visual displays. At room and significantly decreasing absence where they had the chance to see many of the the end of the school year, all of the MRMW rates. Parents were happy to participate in lemur species found in the park firsthand. Af- classes came to CVB to present on topics that the program, as it reduces financial pressure ter the visit, wildlife artist Deborah Ross led they had learned during the year. on families, by cooking, helping in the school a lemur painting workshop with the students garden (to deliver leafy greens and other in the park. In Year II, we also initiated a school lunch vegetables for the lunch) and providing fuel- program to provide a daily lunch of rice and wood, salt and oil. A main component of MRMW is the teach- topping (beans, peanuts, vegetables, fish or er training program. During the 2016-2017 school year, three trainings were orga- nized. Before the start of the 2017-2018 school year, a two-week training was held with the 20 new intern teachers and 20 regu- lar teachers, Madame Hanta Rasamimanana and her team from the Ecole Normale Su- perieure in Tana, as well as Mr. Dave Naish from Bristol Zoo. Oakland Zoo has also been an important partner in MRMW training workshops, as well as generously donating school supplies.

Themes from the curriculum included “Grow your own Lunch” and “Echoes of the Forest”. “This teaching program has been really beneficial for us. The teachers Another element of the program is making stay in the village. Students have school lunches and parents have upgrades to partnering elementary schools less to worry about. Student learn about the animal in the forest and that are in a state of disrepair. This year, we the environment. This teaching from CVB gives knowledge to our focused on fixing up newly added schools. students” Community members contributed by gather- Ampanjaka (King) of Torotosy ing local materials like sand and clay.

22 Rainforest Class In addition to our work in remote schools, Holtzman Lemur Education Outreach CVB works in 17 schools near to National A new project, funded by the Holtzman Route 25, including 12 primary schools,4 sec- Wildlife Foundation, has allowed CVB to ondary schools and 1 high school across two extend its lemur education program to school regions and three CISCO. In the 2016-2017 children and communities across the island. school year, 1624 students directly benefit- Thanks to our partner organization, MICET, ed from this program. the IMAX film, “Island of Lemurs: Madagas- car”, was translated from English into Mala- The aim of the “Rainforest Class” is to guide gasy by Teach for Madagascar. We are also in students to better understand the value of the process of purchasing portable projectors Madagascar’s biodiversity and also raise and speakers and distributing them to part- awareness on the importance of conserving ner NGOs throughout the island to enable the environment. To achieve these goals, them to show the film in the sites that they seven topics, including climate change, water work in. and sanitation, Ranomafana National Park’s biodiversity and having a clean school envi- ronment, were taught. World Lemur Day Every year for the past three years, a cele- bration of World Lemur Day has been held in Ranomafana at the end of October. This year, we decided to take the celebration out into the remote communities around the park living close to the forest. A delegation from CVB, along with partners from MNP, traveled to the villages of Torotosy, Ambo- divoangy, Ambendrana and Vohiparara to show films about Madagascar’s emblematic lemurs, including the IMAX film, and in- spired community members to join in the celebration with song and dance.

23 Conservation Clubs Starting with 17 groups, an additional 18 In September, a two-day exchange meeting were created in the 13 villages in the Com- was held in Ranomafana, with members The “Conservation Club” Program, overseen munes of and during the from Conservation Clubs across the 35 clubs by Rojosoanotahina Josia Caroline and Anne Reforestation, Education and Community sharing and learning from each other. Two Louisette Rasolomampionona Heritiana, Development (RECD) project funded by representatives from each club were invited promotes local stewardship of the environ- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in 2016-2017. for a total of 73 participants. The culmination ment. In addition to building tree nurseries CVB now works with these 35 clubs (and was the election of officers to create a Con- and planting native trees, club members 1590 club members) on both the eastern servation Club Federation to officially unify work together to accomplish projects that and western sides of RNP. all of the clubs. connect reforestation with watershed pro- tection and human health. Club members Six Conservation Club members participat- Some Conservation Clubs also received bean also identify the income-generating activities ed in the Youth Summit organized by Peace and peanut seeds, as well as fruit trees. They that they are interested in pursuing, such as Corps and CRS held at CVB. The gathering are encouraged to use improved agricultur- agriculture, animal husbandry and artisan focused on leadership and volunteer action in al techniques in their planting in order to crafts, so that CVB can provide support and communities, as well as learning more about reduce the use of the slash and burn method training. hygiene and natural disaster risk reduction. (or tavy) on the hillsides.

24 Community Healthcare CVB Mobile Health Team 20 target villages. A total of 14 expedi- tions were made by each group, and three This year, thanks to a generous anonymous joint expeditions (two teams together), for a Population, Health and Environment donation, CVB expanded our health team. total of 133 days spent in the field over the (PHE) We brought on three new members. Dr. course of the year. CVB became more active in the Madagascar Ando, Tambatra and Solange (nurses) joined PHE Network. After attending a regional our existing team of Fara (midwife), Lova During the expedition, a tent is used to create meeting in Fianarantsoa, CVB volunteered to and Violette (nurses) and Telo Albert (com- a mobile health clinic in which to see pa- host and help organize a three-day regional munity liaison). In this way, we were able to tients. In 2017, the Health Team saw 2,204 workshop. The August meeting participants double the number of teams going into the patients of which 2,195 were treated and 9 included PIVOT, Ny Tanintsika, USAID field. were referred to the nearest health center. Mikolo, Marie Stopes Madagascar, PSI Mad- agascar & Madaworks. An outing was orga- For several weeks each month, the CVB Com- The most common illnesses encountered nized to the village of Ambalafisina to visit munity Health Team is on expedition to one were cough or cold (539 cases), malaria (244 both the CVB Conservation Club and the of four “zones” to the east of RNP. Each zone cases), toothache (124 cases), high blood PIVOT community health center there. currently contains five villages, for a total of pressure (113 cases), bone and joint disease with signs of hypocalcemia or calcium defi- ciency (183 cases), digestive infections (113 cases) and skin infections (92 cases).

One of the goals of the Community Health Team is also to raise awareness about healthy behaviors. The method used to achieve this goal is the community meeting. This year, our team mainly focused our awareness raising on sanitation and hygiene. Over the course of the year, two community meetings were organized in each target village, for a total of 40 community meetings. In ad- dition to holding meetings, the team showed films about the causes of diarrheal disease, the importance of hand washing, how to build latrines, and the importance of having a separate kitchen from sleeping area.

25 In each of the target villages, we encouraged Stony Brook University Dental Mission Thanks to the fundraising of Dr. Stacey Tecot communities to construct one latrine and one For the 13th year in a row, Dr. Larry Wynn, and many patient negotiations by Pascal separate or outdoor kitchen per household, along with Dr. Hamil Willoughby, led a group Rabeson and Benjamin Andriamihaja, elec- and one garbage pit per every five house- of dental students from Stony Brook Uni- tricity was finally installed in Ambatolahy holds. We were most successful in convincing versity. Over the course of three weeks, they this past September. This is a major step in households in the Miaranony and Anka- treated approximately 1,300 patients at sustainable development of the region, and zotsara zones to construct latrines, garbage free dental clinics in Ranomafana and Kelila- we hope that we can continue expanding pits and kitchens. In total, out of 1749 house- lina. In addition to the dental clinics, a ‘true access to electricity for villages around the holds in these two zones, 81 latrines, 81 needs’ assessment survey of 100 school park through the installation of solar panels. garbage pits and 67 kitchens were built. children was conducted in the village of Together with PIVOT and the Commune of with the aim of using the baseline Ranomafana, we also worked to rebuild the Through our continued partnership with the data collected to develop and introduce an central marketplace. Ranomafana-based health NGO, PIVOT, CVB oral health prevention program to the annual received 40 essential medicines at no mission. cost. In 2017, we also established a new part- nership with the London-based NGO, Marie Community Development Stopes, which focuses on providing family planning and maternal health services in de- Through our partnerships with other NGOs, veloping countries. In August, Marie Stopes CVB is able to achieve an even wider impact provided a one-day training to the team cov- into surrounding communities. The collabo- ering both short and long-term family plan- ration with Bergen Highlands Ramsey Ro- ning methods. Then in October, two Marie tary Club and NGO Ny Tanintsika resulted Stopes agents accompanied our team to the in the installation of a Canzee water pump Mangevo Zone at the southern limit of RNP in the village of Sahavondronina, with plans and provided 23 three-year implants. to install two more wells in 2018. Thanks to the famous spice guru, Mr. Recipe, we have In addition to delivering medical care, the received our second grant from this chapter CVB Community Health Team were invalu- of the International Rotary Club. Rotary Club able in their assistance facilitating health-re- also donated 1,000 shoes to be distributed lated research for a large number of students to local schoolchildren. Three girls from and researchers. the middle school in Ambalakindresy were selected to receive a scholarship from Mada- works to help them attend high school.

26 Environmental Arts CVB believes in the importance of supporting local artisans and musical groups. To this end, we provide a venue to display and sell their handicrafts, as well as a performance space and recording studio. We also support associations in receiving trainings and pro- vide guidance on how to run small businesses (marketing, accounting, etc.).

Four exhibitions were organized featuring the artisan groups collaborating with CVB, including FAMIOVA scarf-weaving associ- ation, Association Soa Fianara embroidery project, Fidy’s wood carving, tanala hat some minor repairs to their distiller, they are makers from Ambodiaviavy, and the Mae- planning to start extracting essential oils in va basket-weaving association. In addition, February of 2018. The paths in Mahatsarabe the Ecoshop at CVB, which also sells rock medicinal plant garden walk were repaired, paintings by Santatra, vetiver products from and the “Green Pharmacy” in Ranomafana Tahiana Creation and iron sculptures from was also renovated. Nanie in Tana, as well as partners with Fla- mant Rose which works with artisans from Music creates connections, unites cultures across Madagascar, brought in over $2,000 and helps to spread ideas. In the CVB record- during 2017. ing studio, we recorded eight songs with the Ahay an’Ala group, including the theme Susan Cummings-Findel from SCF also vis- song for the MRMW program. We are plan- ited twice this year and worked closely with ning to create the first album full of environ- these associations and many more, providing mentally oriented songs by local musicians. advice and funding when needed. Finally, through our Artist-in-Residence Pro- The traditional healers in the FIMARA as- gram, we welcomed Deborah Ross to the cen- sociation planted 500 ginger and 1600 ter twice, and welcomed back Alain Rasolo to lemongrass plants this year. After making create materials for our education programs.

27 Looking Ahead ing will house collections of plants, insects, Research herps, and lemur fossils. The second floor Dr. Jean Claude Razahaimodison has been The next five years will be a transitional peri- will be offices for our long term research promoted to become a Professor at the Uni- od of growth for CVB as we expand our pro- projects and as well as for the CVB research versity of Fianarantsoa and we will be hir- grams in conservation, biodiversity, health, team. The NamanaBe Hall laboratory will ing a Head of the Research Department as engineering and training, complete new also be restructured and expanded. The up- well as a Research Technical Advisor. As the buildings and develop the upper campus. per campus will have the Holtzman Wildlife demand for our biodiversity expertise con- Center, as well as a series of bungalows and a tinues to grow, we also plan to train and hire The new IUCN SOS Biodiversity Center will drone hangar. more research technicians, and have already be completed. The first floor of this build- hired a Research Liaison to facilitate between researchers and other departments at CVB.

At the GHI-CVB interface, Dr. Roxanne Karimi will be teaming up with Dr. Luis Fernandez to investigate the use of mercury in gold mining, which presents a potential health hazard. We will also work further with Madagascar National Parks to seek solutions to the illegal gold mining affecting RNP.

We are working on permits to translocate more Prolemur simus into RNP next year us- ing Holtzman funding, as well as to create a new breeding group of Propithecus verrauxi in .

Our Global Health Institute drone program (DrOTS) will be expanded to include both health and conservation. We will also host a one-day Drone Summit in March. Our engi- neering programs, such as BeLocal, will be finding new solutions to village problems.

28 Conservation Partnerships DNA barcoding at the Smithsonian Institu- tion, Washington, D.C. In 2018, Mahandry We will continue to expand our research As always, we are forging new relationships will be funded by SPZ to join CVB’s refor- station model to many new areas in Mada- and strengthening existing ones. We will con- estation team. Oakland Zoo has been an gascar. tinue to work with the NGO Ny Tanintsika on important partner for “My Rainforest, My installing wells for clean drinking water, and World” and we hope that this relationship In 2018, CVB will launch its “Forest to Sea” also hope to partner with them on cyclone will expand. reforestation program. We will also continue relief and school repair. We also continue to work closely with Rainforest Trust and to forge new relationships, beginning with MICET to develop two, if not three, new pro- working with the University of Tamatave’s Sustainable Funding tected areas. Institute for Environmental Science and As part of our long-term goal to bridge Sustainable Development. Through our close conservation and development to create an Capacity Building and Training connection to the University of Fianarantsoa, economically stable future for the Malagasy CVB scientists now have a venue to give guest people, we will seek new funding sources. In January, the E2M2 course led by Cara lectures at the CVB Information Center. Brooke from UC Berkeley resumes. We will CVB will continue to be a model of innova- also host the African Lepidoptera Congress at We also continue our close relationship with tion and inspiration for future generations. CVB in 2018 and the 2nd Annual Ranomafa- the Seneca Park Zoo (SPZ) in New York, who Thank you for being collaborators and help- na Planetary Health Summit. recently funded one of our CVB researchers, ing to build, maintain and strengthen this Mahandry Andrianarisoa, to do studies on incredible institution. CVB staff will attend conferences in Nairobi (International Primatological Society) and Malaysia (Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation) in preparation for the 2019 ATBC to be held in Antananarivo.

Community Outreach We plan to increase the number of commu- nity health team target villages around RNP. In addition, we will create a network of local health volunteers that can serve as “Health and Conservation Ambassadors”, continuing to spread health and education messages.

29 2017 Donor Acknowledgments $100 - $499 Anonymous (2) We are extremely grateful and wish to acknowledge everyone who supported The Benevity Community Impact Fund Centre ValBio’s work in 2017. Matthew Bonds Julia Bradford $500,000 and above $5,000 - $9,999 David Cassidy IUCN Save our Species Fund Noel B. Rowe Kimberly Decker Christina Delfico $100,000 - $499,999 $1,000 -$4,999 John Farmer Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Anonymous (1) Sharon Fox Rainforest Trust Aronson Foundation General Electric Foundation Three Graces Foundation, Inc. Bergen Highlands Ramsey Charitable Foundation Google Matching Gifts Program Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Ronda R. Graves IBM International Foundation $50,000 - $99,999 Nancy and Grover Sherlin Peter M. Small Mary Lee Gaylor Susan Cummings-Findel Seneca Park Zoo Society Charlotte Greene The Herrnstein Family Foundation Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Sally and Jack Heckscher Luis G. Sanchez Javier $10,000 - $49,999 Steig E. Johnson $500 - $999 Anonymous (1) Thomas E. Lovejoy Jane Alexander Catholic Relief Services Monica Pascu Darlene A. Benzon Conservation International Karen Pihl Karen Connaughton Indianapolis Zoo Joseph J. Pimentel Mario J. Craig Jeffrey and Mickie Nagel Daniel Rossman and Sarah Kariko-Rossman Dana Cutolo, Ny’Ala Skin Care Taronga Zoo Helen Rowe-Drake Anne D. Ehrlich Kathryn Scheriff Alexander L. Harris Kelly Stadelman Philip S. Meyers Zhihui Wang Edward W. and Jennifer A. Testa, Jr. Susan Wheeler Karen and Dennis Welch

30 Under $100 Jade A. Alo Anonymous (1) Susan Suarez Aquino Barb’s Frame of Mind Christopher Behan Lucille Betti-Nash Monika Brzuchnalski Diane W. and Pericles D. Caminis Kristi M. Camirand Dora T. Dekajlo Ana Rosa Donado Christina M. Fink Jillian I. Finker Kristen Franzinetti Robert Gens Maria Hargaden Johana C. Herrera Kiran A. Lorick Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Tobe Mizels Rosa E. Montoya Eugen Paval Jade E. Price Darlene L. Prowse Caroline Sandri Irene Shaland Jana Shih Mei Tantri Elaine Unson-Tate Thomas J. West Brian Wilson

31 Leadership Advisory Board (in alphabetical order) Dr. Joan Abrahamson Jane Alexander Dr. John Allman Dr. Jonathan Aronson James E. Brumm Rhett Butler Susan Cummings-Findel Dr. Thomas Gillespie Dr. James Herrnstein Dr. Robin Herrnstein Dr. Steig Johnson Dr. Mark Krasnow Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy Dr. Stuart Pimm Wai Poc Noel Rowe Photo Contributors Chief Editors Dr. Barbara Wold Forbes Africa Aug./ Sept. 2017: p4 Dr. Patricia C.Wright Sarah Tucker: p5 (1st) Maya Moore Senior Management Alicia Lamb: p5 (2nd) Dr. Patricia C. Wright, Executive Director Daniel Burgas: p6 (1st) Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja, In-Country Director Steig Johnson: p7 (3rd) Graphic Designer Pascal Rabeson, National Director Amanda Mancini: p8-9 Alain Rasolo Maya Moore, Chief Technical Advisor Andrea Baden: p9 (2nd) Jesse McKinney, Chief Technology Advisor Deborah Ross: p11, p20, Dr. Jean Claude Razafimahaimodison, Head of Research p23(1st), p31 Desire Randrianarisata, Head of Logistics Ryan Rothman: p15 Illustrations Prisca Andriambinintsoa, Head of Administration Tanjona Ramiadantsoa: p17 Deborah Ross Mar Cabeza: p18 Stony Brook University Staff Charlene Bainum: p22 (1st) nd Hodan Hassan, Chief Development Strategist Lena Reibelt: p23(2 ) Jeanne O’Neil, Study Abroad Coordinator Noel Rowe: Back Cover Alicia Renée Lamb, Graduate Assistant All other photos taken by CVB Staff Fanny Cornejo, Graduate Assistant 32 Achieving Conservation Together Centre ValBio BP:33 Ranomafana, 312 Ifanadiana Madagascar +261 34 13 581 71 / +261 34 38 864 12

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