Centre ValBio Annual Report 2018 Contents Page History of CVB

History of CVB 3 In 1986, primatologist Patricia Chapple Wright was given a seeming- Foreword 4 ly impossible task: to travel to the rainforests of and find the greater , a that hadn’t been seen in the wild Some 2018 Highlights 6 for thirty years. Not only did Dr. Wright discover that the still Map of CVB Program Villages 9 existed but that it lived alongside a completely new species, the golden Research 10 . What followed was a love affair with an and a Long-Term Surveys, Mouse , Digital Database, country that continues to this day. Dr. Wright is best known for her Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) study of lemurs in (“RNP”), which she helped establish in 1991. Conservation 14 Community Protected Areas, Reforestation, Income Generating Activities Related to Reforestation Centre ValBio (“CVB”) was created by Dr. Patricia Wright in 2003 un- der the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments’ agree- Community Outreach 18 ment with the Government of Madagascar. The richness of the critically Environmental Education, Environmental Arts, Conservation endangered plants and , contrasted with the poverty of the Clubs, Community Healthcare people, inspired her to help both survive in harmony. DrOTS 26 Technology 27 Social Engineering 28 CVB’s mission is: Logistics 29 • To promote world-class research and training oppor- Research Station Use 30 tunities in one of the world’s most biologically diverse and unique ecosystems; Researchers, Workshops & Events 34 Academic Training & Capacity Building 46 • To promote environmental stewardship by providing conservation Spreading the Word 50 education and developing ecologically sustainable economic devel- Looking Ahead 52 opment opportunities within local communities; and

Publications 54 • To provide the local villagers with the knowledge and tools to im- Fundraising Events 61 prove their quality of life through projects focused on health and Acknowledgments 64 well-being.

2 3 Letter from the Executive Director laysia, to publish a book called Ranomafana: increased police protection. PIVOT joined Visions of the Rainforest. Jana Grabner, an the efforts, donating two motorcycles to the C Austrian artist, is also illustrating a book gendarmerie. om ch about the unique trees of Ranomafana. research sites within Ranomafana National member Steig Johnson, through the Univer- r m a In October, there was a second bandit attack Park. Many new discoveries were made in sity of Calgary. e u 2018, including a new species of mouse le- s n Workshops were a big success this year. En- on the northeast side of the Ranomafana e i t

y vironmental modelers gathered for training National Park. Unfortunately, a police com- mur, several new butterflies, eleven new spe- Tom Gillespie, CVB board member, and his R cies of microphages, nine new tardigrades, team began a study to develop a non-invasive in January at the Ecological and Epidemio- mander lost his life. The bandits were found and a new species of leech. Steve Collins assay for immune function focused on mouse logical Modeling in Madagascar workshop. and brought to justice. This disruption is named a new species of butterfly after Centre lemurs. This work complements Gillespie’s In May, CVB and partners hosted A Crucible new to the region and we hope will disappear ValBio. ongoing efforts in Madagascar at the inter- for Planetary Health, a research symposium after the presidential election. face of global health and biodiversity conser- to explore unique opportunities for scientific discovery in the ecozone around RNP. In ad- The year ended with two successful fund- In June, our technical advisor, Maya Moore, vation. Brett Scheffers continued his study Co n moved on to begin a doctorate degree at the of climate and in different elevations nservatio dition, our partners held several workshops raising events in New York, thanks to Franck University of Vermont. Michael Docherty, a of the canopy. Andrea Baden and her team at CVB from biodiversity to health, educa- Raharinosy, board member Susan Cum- finance advisor from UK, valiantly stepped in continue their study of tion, and income-generating activities such mings-Findel, and Eric Trepanier. Our ICTE to join the CVB leadership team. black-and-white ruffed lemurs in Mangevo. CVB’s year-round student Study Abroad pro- as how to grow vanilla and wild pepper. Steve Stony Brook headquarters team, Hodan Has- Mark Krasnow and Caitlin Karanosky con- grams are expanding and offer transforma- Collins and the African Butterfly Research san, Jeanne O’Neill, and Tim Kobba, played Dear CVB friends and supporters, Jesse McKinney continues to improve tech- tinue their genome-phenome mouse lemur tive opportunities for students. Our appeal to Institute (“ABRI”) invited lepidopterists for key roles in our successes. I am very proud of 2018 was a year of construction and building nology at CVB. Simon LaPierre and Astrid project. high school groups is growing, and we now an international butterfly conference in April. our MICET team in , especially programs. We developed the new SOS Edu- Knoblauch joined him in accomplishing host National Geographic Student Expe- Benjamin Andriamihaja, our CVB team in cation Center, broke ground on construction the expansion of medical drone program, Marc Hoffman began collecting and prepar- ditions. BeLocal Group interns pioneered Gold mining continues to be a problem in Madagascar led by Pascal Rabeson, and all of the SOS Biodiversity Research Center. DRoTS. We were awarded a USAID grant ing specimens for CVB’s SOS Biodiversity engineering projects, the region, as it brings increased lawlessness the things they accomplished this year. 2018 Plans for the upper campus are underway. called ACCESS for medical drones. Research Center beetle collection. Angus (“SBU”) medical students concentrated on and causes health problems. In July, bandits marked a year of challenges, growth, re- Hamilton developed a database and pro- studying tuberculosis, and SBU dental stu- attacked the nearby village of Ambatolahy, search, workshops, and Study Abroad expan- Cyclone Ava started the year out dramatical- This has been an adventure-filled year for duced exceptional wildlife education videos dents saw thousands of patients in remote where some of our employees live. Most of sion. We are hopeful that 2019 will be more ly. Floods took out bridges and destroyed rice our staff. Six exceptional employees obtained for science communication. Gabriella Carja- villages. For the first time a student group the houses were robbed, and we were deeply peaceful as Centre ValBio continues to grow. paddies. passports and journeyed outside Madagascar val cataloged lemur vocalizations from the 13 led by Deborah Ross from the School of the saddened by the death of our CVB research for training and presenting at international species found in Ranomafana. Jessie Jordan, Visual Arts in NYC visited. technician, Jean, who was shot and killed. Sincerely, We are thrilled to announce that Ranomafa- meetings. Funding for TEAM, our long-term creative manager from the Palm Beach Zoo, Thanks to support from Primate Conser- na’s critically endangered golden bamboo ecological monitoring of biodiversity to joined us to improve our media communica- CVB launched several publishing projects in vation, Inc. and the IUCN Primate Action lemur population has tripled. New family detect climate change, has transitioned from tion outreach, and Luciana Paz interned with 2018. We’re working with Chien Lee, a re- Fund we are able to make Ambatolahy safer. Dr. Patricia C. Wright groups have been discovered in multiple Conservation International to CVB board us for journalism. nowned wildlife photographer based in Ma- We installed new surveillance systems and Founder and Executive Director Centre ValBio

4 5 Some 2018 Jan. 29 - Feb. 2 Apr. 5 - 25 May 31 - June 20 Jun. 28 - 29 Aug. 9 - 24 Aug. 16 - 31 Nov. 4 - 24 Nov. 11 - 16 Health Team: family 3rd Afrotropical Stony Brook Uni- Lemur Portal NY School of Visual Arts, art edu- CVB Propithecus Team Education and DrOTS Staff attend workshop Highlights planning training with Lepidoptera Workshop versity, BeLocal workshop, GERP/ cation visit attend 27th biennial Teams attend workshop on on frogs organized SBU Projects Marie Stopes Da Vinci Bridge FAPBM/WCS/ meeting of the Interna- capacity building for biodi- by Antananarivo External Visitors Project REBIOMA tional Primatological versity and monitoring University Aug. 6 - 10 Society (IPS), Kenya CVB Activities Apr. 5 Jan. 30 - Feb. 2 Catholic Relief Services Finnish Association of Jun. 27 - Jul. 11 nd Jan. 12 - Dec. 21 May 25 - Jun. 27 hold 2 Youth Summit Oct. 20 - Nov. 12 Feb. 19 - Mar. 1 Health & Education Nature Conservancy Stony Brook Uni- Aug. 19 - 22 Nov. 20 - Dec. 2 Hunter College Teams: workshop (FANC) workshop Stony Brook versity Dental African Butterfly Re- Jul. 25 CUNY, research on on sexual and on the monitoring of University Study Team undertakes Health Team attend search Institute visit to University of Helsinki, Varecia reproduc- reproductive health forest degradation and Abroad, biodiversi- community service Rano Wash / US- ITEM training given catalogue Madagascan research on bats and tion and physiology mapping ty courses visit AID project start-up by USAID butterflies socio-economy

Jan. 3 - 21 Mar. 13 May 13 Jun. 1 - 10 Jul. 3 - 17 Aug. 8 - Sept. 22 Sept. 17 - 21 Nov. 14 - 18 SBU Winter DrOTS Team A Crucible for Plane- Lemur Capture National Geographic Staff attend Durrell Education Team GIS Team attend Intern Program, attend Drone tary Health research with GERP expedition, commu- Conservation attend training on GIS day and training biodiversity and Day celebration symposium to explore nity service focus Academy on field vegetable farming organized by SGGIS community focus in Tana unique opportunities school on capacity at CEFFEL Madagascar for scientific discovery Jun. 25 - 29 building for in the ecozone around biodiversity and Jul. 23 - 28 Ranomafana National Visit of S. Cummings-Findel Jan. 13 - 20 Mar. 16 monitoring, Mauritius Sept. 17 - 18 Oct. 19 - Nov. 1 Nov. 29 - Dec. 1 Park, with PIVOT, CVB, (Sunshine Comes First) to University of Florida Ecological First stone ceremo- Stanford University, monitor microloan project Study Abroad program Stony Brook University Dr. Mark Krasnow and Research and Education and Epidemiological ny for the IUCN SOS IRD, Harvard Universi- on Madagascan Study Abroad, biodi- his team at Stanford Teams participatein the Modelling Mada Biodiversity Research ty, Calgary University, biodiversity and versity courses visit to study mouse 25th anniversary of the (E2M2) workshop Center and UC Davis conservation lemur genetics University of

6 7 Biodiversity research and responsible en- As we have done for the last 16 years, CVB vironmental stewardship are issues which continued to work closely with MNP. Our affect us all on a national and international shared commitment to protecting Madagas- Map of CVB Program Villages level. Given this, CVB strives to contribute car’s natural heritage unites us. Centre ValBio is working in over 50 communities to Madagascar nationally while creating and around Ranomafana National Park (RNP) to provide strengthening international ties. Lastly, we are expanding our network of col- environmental education and access to healthcare, laborators, welcoming our first researchers as well as to facilitate community development and This year we have worked hard to deepen our from Chubu University in Japan and Aber- strengthen income-generating opportunities. relationship with Malagasy government. We deen University in Scotland, in addition to joined the Ministry of Environment and Sus- being selected as a finalist for the St Andrews tainable Development in supporting World Prize for the Environment. Environment Day, and supported the Ramsar Ambalakindresy Convention by participating in the journée Tsihy be lambanana ny ambanilantra. Tsaratanana mondiale des zones humides, endeavouring Key - Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja, to safeguard wetland biodiversity. Conservation Club ICTE Country Director Ranomafana Conservation Club & Reforestaion National Reforestation Park Health Dear CVB friends and supporters, Population Health and Environment. This My Rainforest, My World past year, CVB partnered with Marie Stopes, 2018 was marked by more accomplishments Participatory Ecological Monitoring Conservation International, and other NGOs. by our exceptional CVB staff under the lead- Environmental Art ership of Founder and the Executive Director Thank you to Ny Tanintsika for the installa- Dr. Patricia Wright, and ICTE Country Direc- Road tor Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja. tion of wells, funded by the Rotary Club, in villages where drinking water is sorely need- River District Our mission as leaders in research, con- ed. Internships and trainings continue to Commune servation, and education is only possible increase with University of Fianarantsoa in Ranomafana through our dedicated and hardworking partnership with SBU Study Abroad. In June National staff and collaborators. I am grateful for our CVB collaborated with the Society for Con- Park close partnership with Madagascar National servation Biology by participating in their Parks on research and ecological monitoring, research fair at the University of Antananari- PIVOT for improving the livelihoods of the vo. I am looking forward to seeing all that we Ranomafana community, and CRS for work- can accomplish together in 2019! ing with CVB on many community-based 0 5 10 Km projects. We are also proud members of - Pascal Rabeson, CVB Director 8 9 have been followed during this year. Animal Research behavior and group movement are studied. CVB continues to be Madagascar’s premier We are hoping to begin the process of trans- center for biodiversity, technology, and locating a family group of greater bamboo human health-related research. This year we lemurs into RNP this year to preserve the published 50 papers in scientific journals. last genetic lineage of the original Talatekely population. Long-Term Surveys CVB continued its long term research on the Propithecus edwardsi demography, diet, and social behavior of Patricia Wright and CVB research team have three lemur species been studying Milne-Edwards’ sifaka for over (Prolemur simus), 30 years. During 2018 four highly trained (Hapalemur aureus) and Milne-Edwards’ technicians followed ten groups of sifaka and sifaka (Propithecus edwardsii). take demography, diet and social behavior data in four study sites within Ranomafana The CVB Research Team continued taking National Park. This year four babies were data on growth, fruiting, and flowering pat- born to the ten sifakas in the studied group terns in rainforest trees. CVB is still monitor- and no mortality was observed. ing the rare tree fungus that has killed 65% of the Chrysophyllum paniculata trees in the During 2018 we observed that fewer trees southern half of RNP for the past two years. produced fruit in comparison to years prior. This tree is an important food for six species Two of the Milne-Edwards’ sifaka’s favorite of lemurs. plant species did not produce any fruit in Voamalambotaholahy, and the percentage CVB also continued the daily monitoring of of fruiting trees was at an all time low of the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) 43.66%. and the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus) within Talatakely in Ranomafana In Valohoaka new sifaka groups were seen National Park. 31 individuals within four sharing territories with the two groups that family groups of golden bamboo lemur the CVB team follow. as well as the two individuals (father and daughter) within the single observed group of greater bamboo lemurs in Talatakely

10 11 Mouse Lemurs Tropical Ecology Assessment and Team Climate Data Work continues on Dr. Mark Krasnow’s Monitoring (TEAM) In January, Cyclone Ava hit Ranomafana, influential long-term “Mouse Lemur Genome Despite of the end of funding for TEAM proj- and CVB’s meteorological station received Project”, which aims to unlock the potential ect in 2017, CVB has continued to monitor rainfall of 1,074 mm for the month. The of the mouse lemur as a model organism. By the biodiversity in RNP using the standard total amount of precipitation in 2018 was understanding the genetic underpinnings of TEAM methodology. 2018 was marked by 4,043.6 mm compared to 4,302.8 mm in behaviour and disease in the world’s small- end of season 8 (September 2017 – April 2017. September had the lowest rainfall with est primate, the team hopes to provide huge 2018), but also the start of season 9 (Octo- 37 mm. The monthly average temperature insights into how these conditions present in ber 2018 – April 2019). 12,422 images were decreased by o.1 °C from 2017. The maxi- humans. obtained from 60 camera traps. TEAM iden- mum temperature was recorded in December tified 27 species of terrestrial vertebrates at 24.2 °C and the lowest temperature was The group is also continuing to enhance the belonging to 23 genera, including the rare recorded in August at 11.2 °C. March was the Malagasy science curriculum, using their aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) hottest month on average at 20.9 °C. “frugal science” $1 microscopes to encourage and mysterious fanalouc (Eupleres goudoti). student exploration. Digital Amphibian Database 2018 Climograph of Ranomafana Angus Hamilton (Melbourne, Austra- A total of 6,754 vegetation stems, belonging lia), visited from September to November to 230 species, were monitored within the six to begin building a digital database of the vegetation plots in the Ranomafana TEAM and amphibian species of RNP – the site during season 8. 63% of plot stems’ dbh most biologically diverse protected area for did not increase or decrease, while 37% in- amphibian species in the world. Of the 160 creased slightly. In addition, analysis of the species known in and around the area, up- data has shown that there are 7.68% dead wards of 45 species of amphibian were found plants within the six plots inside the park. and photographed in Talatekely, Vohiparara, Lower DBH (10 – 20 cm) indicates a higher and Mangevo in collaboration with CVB’s rate of dead trees due to human pressure. Malagasy frog expert Justin. The database was created with identification information These trends will be monitored during TEAM included for as many species as could be season 9. identified in official records as being found in Ranomafana. This will enhance our ability to We are happy to announce that Dr. Steig identify new species, and will be utilized and Johnson, CVB board member, has found the updated by future researchers interested in funding for the continuation of the TEAM the Ranomafana region. project.

12 13 We visited the site for Prolemur simus con- Conservation servation project in Imahasoa Village, and Community Protected Areas developed a reforestation program. As a re- sult, 10 local communities were funded to As part of the CVB expansion encouraged conduct biodiversity surveys. 45 locals with by the Madagascar Ministry of Environment three different groups of tree nurseries re- and Sustainable Development, CVB and ceived the training with SRI, and applied the MICET are in the process of developing two sustainable technique to their fields. new community protected areas (PAs), one in the eastern rainforests at Evato, Karianga, More than 10 villages at Ivato commune and the second in south central Madagascar. are ready to work with the tree nursery and The Karianga Greater Bamboo Conservation donated land towards the reforestation pro- Project is made possible with funding from gram for March 2019. Rainforest Trust and Taronga Zoo. Our goal is to employ locals to grow a wildlife corridor The “Lost Rainforest” of Ivohibory is located (COFAV) to connect remaining fragments. in the district of Region, approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Reforestation This year, reforestation piloted an experi- by early 2019. Through the expeditions and Two expeditions to Karianga in the South- ment with a new technique, SITRIBOA; by consistent interaction, the villagers are be- . It has approximately 1,400 hectares of CVB’s Reforestation Team carried on crucial eastern part of Madagascar were carried out scattering seeds instead of planting saplings. coming more motivated to take part in refor- pristine primary forest surrounded by hu- activities to restore degraded landscapes in 2018 to protect the largest known pop- The goal is to increase seedling numbers in estation. We teach the importance of trees in man-caused savannah. Benjamin Andriami- surrounding Ranomafana National Park. ulation of the critically endangered greater a more sustainable way, while reducing the daily lives. These villages manage their own haja and Elia Rabenandrasana are overseeing In 2018, with the support of Seneca Park bamboo lemur. costs of materials. The technique consists endemic tree nurseries in order to strengthen the project from Antananarivo. Zoo and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), of sowing endemic seeds directly into soil at protection of their watersheds, upstream, the our Reforestation Team working with local During the first expedition CVB staff met four different reforestation sites. This puts environment and to prevent erosion. Starting in September 2016, Patricia Wright, villagers planted over 9,479 seedlings of with Karianga locals to train the community less stress on the plants and reduces our use Pascal Rabeson, the CVB Research Team and 12 endemic fruiting tree species, and about biodiversity surveys and understand of plastic. By the end of the year, a total of Approximately 15,000 seedlings were hosts of international researchers have car- 6,249 seedlings were given away to vil- their needs, which will inform conservation 450 out of 3,000 seeds germinated and are planted this year. Those planting sessions ried out several biodiversity expeditions to lagers. All together 127,300 sq. meters were management strategies, particularly in the in good health at over 13 centimeters tall. were realized with the local villagers, Schools, inventory the unique fauna and flora found reforested. There are 14 active tree nurs- face of climate change. More are expected to sprout into the new MNP, Study Abroad, and other stakeholders. in this forest island, isolated for many years. eries in the villages and including the tree year. This technique has potential to reforest Groups of students from abroad had activi- New species of trees, frogs, and even lemurs nursery at CVB. The team is making ten more During the second expedition, we began degraded areas, but soil quality and other ties with the reforestation program such as make this forest a high priority. plant-beds at the upper campus CVB nursery, training Intensive Rice Farming Systems factors need to be taken into consideration. Remote River Expedition, Florida University, which will increase the number by 5,000 (SRI), for two different communes with Late in the year, we began experimenting National Geographic students, and Stony more saplings per year. 44 participants. with seedballs and will start to see results Brook Study Abroad programs.

14 15 Income Generating Activities Related both the pepper vine and tutor together, to Reforestation which is obviously harmful for the tree as well as the wild pepper itself. To prevent this, In partnership with Catholic Relief Services the reforestation team has been working with (CRS), our SPICES project is ever-expand- villagers to domesticate the wild pepper in ing and improving. Two shade-grown cash nurseries. crops, wild pepper and vanilla, are closely linked to CVB’s reforestation initiatives in the Wild pepper growing and harvesting is go- Ranomafana and areas. ing well in the villages of Ambodivoangy and Ambodirafia, which now showcase The reforestation team is helping villagers wild pepper domestication farming around access new sources of income through the Ranomafana areas. 1,057 seedlings of wild promotion of shade-grown cash crops. Mad- pepper have been planted in the villager’s agascar is famous for its high quality vanil- fields this year, and they are growing very la. Although the highest quality is grown in well. A close follow up is ongoing to monitor the north and managed by large companies, the growth the seedlings. we are working to develop a market in our region and train local farmers to improve the For next year, we will continue to work with quality. Conservation Club technicians on spices, veg- etable gardens, and enhancing soil protec- The quality of vanilla in the region is improv- tion. This allows us to undertake conserva- ing. Two kilograms of cured vanilla, and tion while strengthening the value chain for about 20 kilograms green beans of vanil- commodities such as vanilla and coffee. la were been sold this year. We plan to sell larger quantities to international fair trade companies in the future.

World demand for black and pink pepper is increasing exponentially. Pepper experts tested the wild pepper coming from RNP and scored it extremely high on flavor. Our local wild pepper (tsiperifery) is an endemic liana, so it needs a tree tutor to grow. Traditional harvesting techniques involve cutting down Kelilalina vanilla

16 17 nana and her team from the Ecole Normale more hours of the day, while improving their Community Outreach Superieure in Tana, as well as Mr. Dave focus in the classroom and significantly de- Naish from Bristol Zoo. Oakland Zoo has also creasing absence rates. Parents were happy Centre ValBio is working in over 50 com- been an important partner in MRMW train- to participate, as it reduces financial pressure munities around Ranomafana National ing workshops, as well as generously donat- on families, by cooking, helping in the school Park (RNP) to provide environmental edu- ing school supplies. garden and providing fuelwood, salt, and cation and access to healthcare, as well as oil. Themes from the curriculum included to facilitate community development and In order to evaluate the students’ learning, at “Grow your own Lunch”. We produced 825 strengthen income-generating opportunities. the end of each term students present what vegetables and planted 3,504 endemic trees they have learned to their parents and class- through the MRMW program. Envoronmental Education mates. Presentations may take the form of poems, songs, skits, or visual displays. This year, we focused on repairing eight My Rainforest, My World This year MRMW initiated a school lunch newly added schools. At the end of the school program to provide a daily meal to all school year, all of the MRMW classes came to CVB For the past three years CVB has brought children. Providing healthy noontime meals to present on topics that they had learned conservation education to remote village is a great way to keep children in school for during the year. schools surrounding RNP. Each lesson con- sists of classroom theory augmented with a mixture of games and hands-on activities. I don’t want to kill animals

During the 2017-2018 school year, we are anymore! For example, rats proud to have doubled the program to in- cause problems in my village clude 20 schools and 441 students. Every MRMW class was able to visit RNP, where but the eat rats. Also, they had the chance to see many of the lemur because they help provide species found in the park firsthand. rain, you should not cut down A main component of MRMW is the teach- trees without a good reason. er training program. During the 2017-2018 school year, four trainings were orga- nized. Before the start of the 2017-2018 - Firmin, student from school year, a two-week training was held with the 20 new intern teachers and 20 regular teachers, Madame Hanta Rasamima-

2018 19 Environmental Arts Deborah Ross, a wildlife artist and pro- to the children. School of Visual Arts artists fessor at The School of Visual Arts, NY, in and teachers also partnered with Theo, one In June, Ranomafana celebrated its annual conjunction with Rose Viggiano, Chair of the of the region’s top tourist guides, and his Environmental Day with a parade, speeches, Art Education Department, recruited a group conservation children’s group in Ranomafa- music, and art. Our artists and Education of artists and teachers to travel to Centre Val- na. After initial sessions to introduce wa- Team painted faces during the event and Bio to learn about the center’s conservation tercolor, Theo selected 15 children to travel marched to represent CVB. The Environ- education and scientific work, and to assist in with the group to Anja Community Reserve. mental Arts Team worked closely with the exploring the possibilities of art as a vehicle There the children were introduced to an community to produce murals and souvenir for conservation. Assisted by the generosity entirely different ecosystem. After return- products to cater to the region’s tourism and knowledge of the local community they ing to Ranomafana, a painting session was boom. visited and ran workshops in several schools organized to give the children an opportunity

including Tanala Village School where we to express their experiences in nature. The Artists-in-Residence introduced traditional as well digital painting paintings produced were a great success! Alain Rasolo, resident Malagasy artist, completed a scientifically accurate poster ti- tled Birds of Ranomafana. He worked close- Jana Grabner is an illustrator and art ly with Susan Cummings-Findel, founder of Jessie Jordan, wildlife conservation artist, teacher from Austria. She has been visiting Sunshine Comes First, to develop and design has been contributing creative services for Madagascar since 2011, working in the field marketing materials for local wood carver a variety of projects at CVB since June. Her of environmental education and arts with Fidi Fidelis. Rasolo continues to create beau- life-long mission is to inspire conservation local conservation organizations such as the tifully intricate watercolors of new species, through art and creativity. Her expertise in Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, the conceptual pieces, and other scientific illus- visual science communication and printing Wildlife Conservation Society, and Centre trations for wildlife conservation and educa- improved CVB’s marketing materials 2018. ValBio. During her artistic residency at CVB, tion. He also played a key role in designing She earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts Jana began illustrating a book highlighting CVB’s annual report, three year MRMW re- at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and the importance of 30 endemic tree species port, and the CVB Health Team report. With a graduate-level degree in science illustration found in Ranomafana National Park. This National Geographic Student Expeditions, he at California State University, Monterey Bay. book introduces species that are of great also developed and helped to paint a Mada- Since June, she has been creating logos, post- importance for the wildlife, but are also tra- gascar mural, featuring the country’s iconic ers, illustrations, and videos while managing ditionally used by the local population. Her fauna and flora species, in a remote village CVB’s social media sites. Jessie and Rasolo intention is to provide a valuable resource for classroom. With funding, his illustrations can worked together on the design and comple- educational purposes and an introduction to be printed and used for future educational tion of two different educational murals. She the flora of the Ranomafana National Park materials in classrooms around Ranomafana also gave drawing and painting lessons to for visitors. The book is expected to be fin- and throughout Madagascar. this year’s MRMW school groups. ished and published by the end of 2019.

20 21 Conservation Clubs of the Clubs depends on strict adherence to are practiced in each village, and Club mem- Kianja Maitso A few months later, Daniella and Chicago performance criteria for reforestation, sus- bers also organize cleaning sessions for their Children’s Museum Exhibit Development This program, overseen by Caroline Rojoso- In June, Professor Mairead Dunne and tainable agriculture, hygiene, and sanitation. villages every week. Sanitation has improved Director, Katie Slivovsky, donated consulting anotahina and Anne Louisette Rasolomampi- Daniella Rabino from the Centre for Interna- This past year brought a lot of cooperation to the point where the use of garbage pits in hours to conceptually develop educational onona Heritiana, promotes local stewardship tional Education at the University of Sussex between local members, supported by Cath- Conservation Club villages has now increased spaces in Ranomafana in collaboration with of the environment. In addition to building visited CVB on a Sussex Research Impact olic Relief Services, the United Nations, and to 50%, and latrine use to 80%. Around 30% CVB, PLAY, and our local community part- tree nurseries and planting native trees, Club Funding grant to host training workshops USAID. of the Clubs began using latrines in their ners. members work together to accomplish proj- with CVB outreach teams. villages this year. ects that connect reforestation with water- Conservation Club technicians embark on shed protection and human health. Club six expeditions per year to each village, We are working with resident artists and in- members also identify income-generating with additional field visits to monitor or terns to help create scientific animations and activities that they are interested in pursuing, survey, if needed. All Clubs work on crop movies, as well as developing illustrations such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and activities such as bean and peanut produc- and other educational materials to illustrate artisan crafts, so that CVB can provide sup- tion. 90% of Club members were trained this complex concepts. port and training. year in sustainable agriculture techniques to produce nutritional food as well as generate Drinking water availability is also a problem Conservation Clubs are part of the CVB additional income. This was done alongside in villages with fewer trees - they have to Education Team, and are activity-based, different partners like Bureau de Développe- travel further to find a fresh spring or other village-run, organizations focused on sus- ment ECAR de (BDEM), Catholic water source. Failing this, they have to resort tainable development and supported by our Relief Services, and the International Fund to collecting unsanitary water from rivers, partner, Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This for Agricultural Development-led ‘PROS- streams, or pools. Education about safe water year, many of our expeditions included train- PERER’ project. for people will be our main focus for the next ing on improving livelihoods in sustainable year. The Bergen Highlands/Ramsey Rotary ways by enhancing biodiversity conservation. Club members often volunteer at their vil- Club have generously begun to help us install During the year the Clubs were visited by lage’s tree nursery, and are responsible for wells in local villages, providing safe drinking USAID agents and consultants three times monitoring the trees planted in nearby re- water. for monitoring, visiting, and filming of field forestation areas. 14 of the Conservation activities. We now have 34 Conservation Clubs have endemic tree nurseries, and since Clubs located around Ranomafana Nation- March, the Clubs have planted over 10,000 al Park, and plan to double that number in saplings. Additionally, there are 20 fish 2019. Each Club consists of 19 to 50 people, farmers in the Clubs, spread over 15 villag- with a total membership of 1,360. 172 of es. 34 villages also have chicken vaccination these members were trained in leadership by programs. Hygiene and sanitation education Conservation Club technicians. The success

22 23 Community Healthcare Distribution of Treatment by Age Additionally, 393 cases of malaria were by building 30 outdoor kitchens. In a sim- the Health Team with 40 essential med- treated, which remained the second most fre- ilar initiative, villagers constructed 38 pit icines that were used in the field. PIVOT CVB Health Team 4% quent illness treated by the Health Team for latrines thereby reducing the unsanitary also conducted three continuing education 2018 was another successful year for the CVB the third straight year. CVB hopes that their conditions that lead to diarrheal disease, the trainings which were attended by members Health Team, which provided a record num- 26% work treating malaria in conjunction with the number one cause of premature death in of the Health Team: emergency delivery ber of consultations and medical services to 27% large scale bed net distribution in 2018 will Madagascar. Furthermore, each expedition techniques, strategies for the prevention and 24 geographically isolated villages surround- reduce the physical and economic burden felt in 2018 included a community wide cleanup treatment of communicable diseases, and ing Ranomafana National Park. by the local villagers as a result of malaria. effort where food waste, plastics, and other malnutrition. rubbish, all of which attract disease carrying In 2018 the Health Team conducted nine CVB is pleased to report that children under pests, were disposed into communal trash Furthermore, the Health Team collaborated expeditions, spending close to 100 days in 26% the age of 15 received 52% of the year’s treat- pits. This cleanup initiative led to the con- with the SBU experiential learning intern- the field. The Health Team performed 2,626 17% ments. Communicable disease, like respira- struction of 42 trash pits in 2018. ship program for the fourth year in a row. consultations, an increase of 19% compared tory illnesses, diarrheal disease, and malaria During their 2018 internships, six motivated to 2017. Acute and chronic respiratory ill- are extremely dangerous for children, espe- In 2018 the Health Team expanded its health undergraduate students conducted research nesses were by far the most commonly diag- 0 to 5 6 to 14 15 to 24 cially those under the age of five. It is for this awareness activities to include cooking alongside the Health Team, and investigated nosed illnesses, accounting for almost half of 25 to 59 60 & Older reason that improving access to medical care demonstrations. While only in it’s first year, a wide range of public health topics. the year’s treatments. for children has and will always be a corner- this well-liked activity has trained over 150 stone of the Health Team’s mission. women in 10 villages with the knowledge and The health team also assisted with the Stony culinary skills to prepare nutritious meals Brook University School of Dental Medicine’s Raising sanitation and hygiene awareness for their families. The Health Team hopes to annual mission that performed free though community-lead activities continued continue this program in an effort to com- tooth extractions for local to be a central component of CVB’s strate- bat the high rates of childhood malnutrition villagers. Respiratory gic plan during its 2018 expeditions. These and stunting that are common in the area. Health activities, designed to leverage the existing Malnutrition continues to be the most signif- skills and resources of the communities, have icant driver of death and disability combined 665 led to noticeable improvements in sanitary across Madagascar. condition across the Health Team’s four geo- graphical zones. The Health Team was pleased to continue its partnerships with local, national, and Malaria With the help of the Health Team’s train- international organizations and institutions ings and activities, villagers took steps to in 2018. For the third consecutive year 393 reduce their exposure to indoor air pollution, the NGO PIVOT supplied a major contributor of respiratory illness, Hypertension Oral Health 2018 Treatment Breakdown Diarrhea 148 24 108 25 60 discounts to software and hardware. As a DrOTS, this successor grant will focus on pi- DrOTS Technology result, we were able to save around $25k in oneering new socially beneficial technologies, CVB successfully launched the production The CVB Research Technology Department’s Microsoft Office, and Windows moderniza- while utilizing drones as a delivery system. healthcare delivery drone system DrOTS, mandate is to research and develop social tion costs this year. which operated in 63 villages of the Andro- impact and research enabling technologies. rangavola commune for much of the year. Work is under way to expand CVB’s suc- 2018 was a very productive year for CVB’s Plans are progressing to a content manage- Although the TB Reach grant ended in De- cessful work with drones. We are exploring Research Technology Department. ment system that is more easily updatable, cember 2018, work continues on social im- the possibilities offered by modular drones to more quickly inform stakeholders of our pact and humanitarian drone use, as well as that can carry sensor packages such as high The CVB IT Department is tasked with en- successes. We also hope in the near future to the underlying drone technologies utilized in resolution cameras, long range radiar collar suring reliable operations of CVB Technolog- be able to move to @centervalbio.org emails. DrOTS. In October, we were notified of being tracking and triangular units, or foliage-pen- ical Assets. Over the course of 2018, the CVB awarded a USAID grant to deploy a succes- etrating LIDAR units, which can construct IT department made a number of improve- By enacting the above enhancements, all sor to the DrOTS drone system in ultra-re- 4D views of the forest from canopy to ground ments to support its core mandate. In 2018 which are part of CVB’s Cyber Infrastructure mote coastal . As with levels at variable time intervals. we completed the modernization of network Plan, CVB can move forward with such cam- infrastructure in NamanaBe and LovaBe by pus wide improvements including accounts installing new network racks on all levels of allowing employee and researchers to log in each building, new indoor access points and from any computer and have their own ac- data drops, installing outdoor access points count and files safely with them at all times. to provide reliable WIFI to all outdoor areas of the campus. We also finalized installation To facilitate the maintenance and develop- of a new 4Gbs backbone line between Nama- ment of research technologies, investment naBe and LovaBe providing much enhanced, was undertaken to develop CVB’s Design and lower latency connection between the build- Fabrication Lab, as well as CVB’s Electronics ings. Lab. The Design and Fabrication Lab, situat- ed in the old LovaBe ambient Lab, features Additionally, we installed one new projector both a collaborative meeting space, modern system this year in the new dining area be- workspace for CVB’s technology staff, and hind the main dining hall. This transformed ever-growing machine shop. It is open for re- the new dining room into a fully functional, searcher use, and researchers can also place segregated AV space that can seat up to 80 orders for design and fabrication services. people. This year we also finished our qual- ification for TechSoup, which is a nonprofit assistance program which grants very steep

26 27 greatly reduce deforestation caused by plant- community assessments in 2017, a major Social Engineering ing eucalyptus, as well as a method of bridge topic of discussion was of fuel use and pro- In addition to CVB’s high-tech research construction utilizing interlocking, bamboo duction in villages. The conservation and lines, CVB co-founded a very low tech, grass treated with locally sourced, sustainable ma- health implications of improving fuel sources roots engineering program called BeLocal terials to prevent rot. in households from the traditional charcoal in 2018. In partnership with SBU’s School or firewood are huge, inspiring the engineers of Engineering, the BeLocal Group aims to With the assistance and collaboration of working with BeLocal to find a more suitable crowd source low-tech, sustainable, solu- Mandrivany village, the team created a small method of creation. In June of 2018, the tions to daily life challenges in Madagascar bamboo girder bridge placed in the Kelilali- team held workshops and training sessions in through the partnership between BeLocal na commune to test the use of bamboo as a charcoal creation. student and professional chapters located structural and load-bearing material. around the world. The 2018 group, which BeLocal continues their activities in 2019 to was comprised of SBU engineering students The agricultural waste charcoal project build relationships with the University of Fi- and faculty, investigated a way of making piloted recipes for material and workshops anarantsoa and local villages to identify and charcoal from waste rice stalks which can for instruction in villages. During BeLocal’s define solutions to everyday challenges.

Head of Logistics Dede Randrianarisata, Logistics along with volunteer Jim Ehle Meyer, as- While research and environmental stew- sisted with the construction of our new SOS ardship are the purpose of CVB, none of Biodiversity Research Center, helping trou- those can happen without the dedicated and bleshoot problems as we brought the con- diligent Logistics Team looking after and struction plans to life. Jim also designed and maintaining our buildings, equipment, and built floor jacks and an engine winch to help vehicles. with our vehicle maintenance.

While taking researchers (and their fecal During the year we hired a full-time mechan- samples!) to and from their sites, trans- ic, Mamy, to help care for our vehicles and porting staff to the airport for international keep them safe and secure. Our five vehicles conferences, and helping Study Abroad stu- were under heavy use for projects at CVB. dents experience the rich cultural offerings of Away from vehicles, we renewed our storage Madagascar. rooms, increasing their capacity.

28 29 Research Station Use Researchers Visitors 119 individual researchers stayed at CVB in 2018. In 2018, Centre ValBio hosted 282 individuals from 31 different The average length of stay was 10.5 days. The ma- countries conducting research in Ranomafana National Park and jority of researchers were American (44%) and its surrounding communities, using our laboratory, participating in Malagasy (28%). This year, CVB welcomed vis- training, workshop, or Study Abroad programs, or taking a tour of itors from 31 different countries from all six our facilities and attending a lecture. Numbers of individuals in- inhabited continents! creased this year and countries of origin nearly doubled! Scientific Tourists and Tour Groups 1,336 Malagasy students and 488 scientific tourists toured the CVB campus in 2018.

Station Days The total number of station days in 2018 was 5,313. As with previous years our busiest months were April through Visitors By Origin to September with February and De- cember being quieter Asia and Australasia 8% Laboratory Use 16 researchers used the CVB laboratories in 2018, for a total number of 141 days of lab use. The Americas 45% 28% Madagascar

Researchers made up 31% of those staying at CVB in 2018, while 69% of visitors were part of courses or works training programs led CVB’s sta- 4% 15% tion usage. Continental Africa Europe

30 31 Year in 839 Numbers Followers on Instagram 456 Items sold in the Eco- & shop Countries of Origin of CVB Guests 86 Study Abroad and high school students

10,488 50CVB scientific publications Followers on Facebook Total282 scientific visitors 1,057 Wild pepper vines planted 13,604 Days spent in the field 5,313 Station days Countries from which 127,300 CVB received visitors Square meters of land 6,551 reforested with endemic 303 trees Expeditions facilitated Free healthcare consultations 727 by CVB 31 provided Followers on Twitter 32 33 Mar CABEZA, Marketta VUOLA, Aina Brias lepidoptera specimens in Ranomafana and and Randy Junge (Columbus Zoo) have been nal articles, including papers describing the

Researchers Guinart (Helsinki University), Eric Marcel the surrounding area to investigate the role conducting research at the Mangevo field site nesting behavior, ectoparasite load, and feed- Andrea BADEN (Hunter College, CUNY ) TEMBA, Santatra ANDRIAMITANDRINA, of development and phenotypic plasticity in to unravel the myriad factors shaping the gut ing ecology of black-and-white ruffed lemurs. and her team: Eliette NOROMALALA, R. Rindra RANDRIANDIMBIMAHAZO, Mala- speciation, as well as the ecological functions microbiome using a combination of detailed In fact, in collaboration with CVB researcher Felix ANDRIANANTENAINA (Universi- latiana RASOAZANANY, and Nasandratra and evolutionary patterns of sexual charac- genetic, ecological, and behavioral data col- Sarah Zohdy, Dr. Baden’s research has led to ty of Antananarivo), Nina BEEBY (Hunter RAOELINJANAKOLONA (University of teristics. lected from two communities of black-and- the discovery of a new mite species specific to College of CUNY), Ilari FALCK (University Antananarivo) continued the training and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). this large-bodied, frugivorous lemur. of Helsinki), Rita SMITH (Loyola Univer- research program of RESPECT (Reserve Christopher COULTER (Boston University, Specifically, their research has the overarch- Research at this site is ongoing and is cur- sity, Chicago), Liselotte VAN DEN HOUT Planning in the Tropics) consisting of bird School of Public Health) trained four villages ing aim of characterizing the ontogeny of the rently supported by the Leakey Foundation, (Auckland University of Technology), Giulia inventory, forest structure, and field exper- around Ranomafana National Park (Ambo- microbiome and differentiating key heritable National Science Foundation, and the City ROSSI (University of Bologna), and Nichole imentation using fake caterpillars for the diaviavy, Sahavondronina, Torotosy, and and extrinsic factors responsible for microbi- University of New York. Regular updates on ARBONA (Kansas State University). Fidisoa evaluation of predation pressure on insects. Bevoahazo) on grassroots soap making. This ome development in the species. this research are available at: RASAMBAINARIVO (Veterinarian), Nico- project aims at introducing a sustainable, www.HunterPMEL.org. lette McMANUS (Northwestern University, Gabriella CARVAJAL (Stony Brook Univer- cost effective process of soap production and In order to answer these overarching ques- USA), and Mathieu RALAIVAO (University sity) recorded lemur vocalizations within use that will improve access to a key tool for tions, Dr. Baden and colleagues conduct of Antananarivo), continued to work in Man- Ranomafana National Park to serve as acous- basic hygiene as well as generating income annual capture seasons during which time gevo studying the reproductive physiology tic references for threatened lemur species. for local people. they conduct biomedical health assessments, and infant care strategies of Varecia variega- Andrea Baden collect biological samples, and radio-collar ta and the impact of habitat degradation on Santiago CASSALETT (City University of Mariah DONOHUE (U. of Kentucky) and animals to locate and identify individuals. A growing body of research is beginning to gastroinstestinal microbiota. New York) and Megan MAH (University of Eva Stela NOMENJANAHARY (U. of Anta- These field seasons also provide Malagasy show that interactions between primate hosts Calgary) examined the implication of lemur nanarivo) used a multi-species framework to and foreign veterinary, master’s and PhD stu- and their microbial communities are com- Jesse BARBER, Juliette RUBIN (Boise State nutritional niches on species coexistence and assess the ecological and evolutionary fac- dents with opportunities for hands-on train- plex, and that each derives fitness benefits University) and Akito KAWAHARA (Uni- conservation. tors driving gut microbiome dynamics of the ing in how to plan, execute, and facilitate from the other. Hosts, in particular, rely on versity of Florida) studied the evolution and endangered lemurs of Ranomafana and Isalo field research. Capture seasons are followed microorganisms for processes ranging from diversity of the production of ultrasound by Aparna Chandrashekar (Hunter Col- National Parks. by year-round monitoring; Dr. Baden has digestion to immunity. However, despite the moth predator avoidance method against lege, CUNY) and Michael A. VELONJARA worked with a large team of CVB technicians, critical importance of host-microbe interac- bats. (University of Antananarivo) assessed the Zo Ella Samuel FENOSOA (University of local Mangevo villagers, and field assistants tions for a complete understanding of host parasite prevalence of malaria within Varecia Antananarivo) studied the dissemination of since 2005 to monitor the daily behaviors evolution and ecology, the factors respon- Gabrielle BUENO (University of Rochester, variegata in Ranomafana National Park. the parasitic plant Bakerella sp. by frugivores (social interactions, reproductive behav- sible for the development and maintenance New York) investigated the effects of differ- and the effects of its infection on the com- iors, diet, and movement) of ruffed lemurs. of the host gut microbiome are still poorly ent habitats on infant development in Lemur Steve COLLINS, Colin CONGDON, Josiane munity of plants in humid forests in eastern Research at the Mangevo field site over the understood. Research by Dr. Andrea Baden catta in the Ivohibory recently discovered GOOSSENS, and Ian BAMPTON from the Madagascar. last year (2017-2018) has resulted in several (Hunter College, CUNY) and her colleagues forest. African Butterfly Research Institute collected published and in review abstracts and jour- Drs. Timothy Webster (University of Utah)

34 35 Brett Scheffers and behavior. These traits not only influence species can use each layer of the forests and Thomas GILLESPIE and Emily STRAHAN Marc HOFFMANN (Technische Universität Katherine KLING (Stony Brook University) (Emory University) investigated the rela- Braunschweig), Aristide ANDRIANARIM- conducted diurnal primate surveys in the The wet rainforests of Madagascar, and those their distributions on the landscape, but also might even ‘flatten’ the vertical distributions tionship between enteric infection, human ISA, Mahandry ANDRIANARIMISA, and corridor and forest fragments of Andrambo- found within RNP, are an iconic, critically their resilience to climate change. of tropical forest communities by reducing disturbance, and immunity in non-human (University of vato and Analavero, . endangered hotspot in amphibian and reptile canopy moisture and triggering downward using a new assay in collaboration Antananarivo) examined the genetic identi- diversity. These forest are diverse due to a The Scheffers team conducts ground to can- shifts in their distributions. This is a danger- with Bosinger Research Group (Yerkes Na- fication of entomology diversity within RNP, Mark KRASNOW (Stanford University) cool and wet climate, which makes these for- opy surveys to quantify vertical stratification ous scenario for rainforest animals because it tional Primate Center), Wright Research focused on prey and parasite herpetofauna. and his team, Jozeph PENDLETON, Caitlin ests perfect for supporting an amazing array of frogs and chameleons across wet and dry can elevate competitive and predatory inter- Group (Stony Brook University, and CVB), KARANEWSKY, Andriamahery RAZAF- of frogs and chameleons in all shapes and siz- seasons and wet to dry habitats and they ex- actions by causing too many animals to cram Krasnow Research Group (Stanford Universi- Roxanne KARIMI (Stony Brook University) INDRAKOTO, Hajanirina Noeline RAVE- es. Also, these rainforests are quite complex plore whether physiological adaptations (e.g., into a single space on the ground. ty), and Andriamahery and Hajanirina Razaf- Luis FERNANDEZ, Claudia Maribel KVEGA LONJANAHARY, Megan ALBERTELLI, in their vegetation and structure and animal desiccation tolerance) arise from living in indrakoto (University of Antananarivo). RUIZ (Wake Forest University) and Kenneth and Guy ALBERTELLI, continued working communities stratify within this vegetation hot, dry canopy environments (because the Dr. Scheffers and his group of researchers DAVIS (UNEP) conducted rapid environ- on their long-term research on “Microcebus from ground to canopy, similar to a layered canopy is more exposed to the sun). collects data to test the underpinnings of this Graham HATFULL and Deborah JA- mental assessments of mercury release, fate, rufus: a novel model organism for medicine cake, with each layer containing a unique set theory, which he hopes will shed light on the COBS-SERA (University of Pittsburgh, De- and transport as part of Madagascar’s Na- research’’. They also pursued their teaching of species. Importantly, their research explores how possible impacts of climate change and hab- habitat loss and climate change impacts the itat loss on species living in biologically rich partment of Biological Sciences), continued tional Action Plan to reduce mercury usage. program at Kelilalina high school with the their studies of the molecular genetics of École Normale Supérieure-University of As a result, animals fill the three-dimension- animals living within rainforests of Madagas- and complex forest environments. mycobacteria and their mycobacteriophag- Andrzej Kepel and Marta Kepel (Polish Antananarivo. al vegetation space of rainforests in what is car. Climate change might change the way es. Phages new to science were discovered, Society for Nature Conservation), presented called vertical stratification. It is thought that and genomic investigations promise to give their 2017 research at 14th International Gregory LANZARO (University of Califor- this layering of animals from ground to cano- insights into viral diversity and evolution. Symposium on Tardigrades in 2018, nia-Davis) and Diego AYALA (Institut de py allows for more species to be packed into a announcing at least seven Recherche pour le Dévelopement, France) single space. species new to science. collected mosquitoes of the Anoph- eles in the surrounding area of RNP Our knowledge of towering forest canopies for further genetic studies. remains elusive, primarily because of the

difficulty in accessing canopy environments. Dr. Brett Scheffers and his lab group at the University of Florida has spent the past five years studying frogs and chameleons to bet- ter understand the habitats they use and to contrast two competing life strategies, living on the ground versus living within trees. Where species live in the rainforest is strong- ly linked to species’ physiology, morphology,

36 37 Munetoshi MARUYAMA, Shotaro KAKIZOE, Onja RAZAFINDRATSIMBA (College of stratification of frogs across wet and dry sea- Tom Gillespie lab results with their survey data to examine ize due to a lack of tools to remotely assess Toshiharu MITA (Kyushu University, Japan), Charleston), Camille DESISTO (Harvard sons and wet to dry habitats. They combine the relationship between a child’s pathogen immunologic status in wildlife populations. Tom’s team believe in a ‘One Health’ ap- and Anjatiana ANDRIANAJA (University of University) and Veronarindra RAMANAN- field studies and laboratory experimentation community structure, socio-economic status, Tom’s team are developing a noninvasive as- proach: protecting human and wildlife Antananarivo) collected insect specimens in JATO (University of Antananarivo) looked to assess the impacts of the climate change to behavior, ecological exposures, and diarrhea. say to study the interplay of enteric infection health, while ensuring the sustainability of Ranomafana National Park and its surround- at the mechanism and consequence of the ’ ecology. 72 trees, ranging from and immune function in Microcebus rufus. the ecosystems within which they live. This ing area to complete their study of the taxon- spread of Psidium cattleianum in the rain 17 to about 40 meters high, were surveyed in They have examined zoonotic enterobacteria Their study has the potential to elucidate places the team at the intersection between omy, morphology, and evolution of myrme- forest of Madagascar. the morning and at night within two forest (like Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio) in six eco-immunological mechanisms underlying lemur research and human health initiatives. cophilous and termitophilous insects, wasps, sites Vatoharanana and Valohoaka. Three lemur species. Prevalence differed strikingly the relationship between anthropogenic dis- and dung beetles in Madagascar. Amanda ROWE (Stony Brook University) laboratory experiments: thermoregulation, when comparing lemurs from pristine and turbance and wildlife disease dynamics. This approach is especially useful when re- evaluated the methods of DNA barcoding in vertical enclosures, and dehydration and disturbed forest. Pathogen incidence rates searching diarrheal disease, the third leading Amy MOLOTOKS (University of Aberdeen) nutritional ecology analyses and studied the maize were also conducted. nearly doubled when looking at only lemurs cause of mortality in Madagascar. Despite looked at the local perspectives of conflict variations in energy availability and energy from disturbed areas (60%) versus all indi- the significant impacts of diarrheal disease, risk between food security and biodiversity. consumption of mouse and dwarf lemurs in Jadelys TONOS, Ella MATSUDA, Benja- viduals (33%). As such, there was a negative the risk factors that best predict disease She conducted interviews in villages around habitats of various structures and conserva- min JOHNSON (Rice University) and Zo association between lemurs in pristine habi- outcome have not been comprehensively Ranomafana National Park to investigate the tion statuses. Ella Samuel FENOSOA (University of An- tat and these pathogens. They also compared studied. Tom’s research combines traditional local perspective on the conflict risk between tananarivo) looked at the effect of frugivore patterns of infection with Entamoeba his- survey-based epidemiological methods with biodiversity conservation and food security. Amanda ROWE, Anna BOCKHAUS, Zachary movement patterns on seed dispersal, plant tolytica, causative agent of amoebic dysen- cutting-edge molecular and computational RIDGWAY (Stony Brook University), Luke community structure, and biodiversity main- tery in humans, in seven species of lemurs. tools. Survey data is used to determine how Omer NEVO (German Primate Center, MARTIN (Australia National University) and tenance in eastern Madagascar. This protozoan was found in three species of patient socio-economic status and behavior Göttingen) and Hary RAZAFIMANDIMBY Eva Stela NOMENJANAHARY (University lemurs with prevalence ranging from 5.4% in affect risk of disease, while shotgun metag- (University of Antananarivo) continued their of Antananarivo) went to Zombitse National Gal ZANIR, Lior AHARONE (Augmanity Microcebus rufus, to 7.7% in Eulemur rufi- enomic sequencing detects the full range project on chemical ecology of seed dispersal Park with the CVB team for a preliminary Nano LTD) and Tsinjo ANDRIATIAVINA frons. All E. histolytica-positive lemurs were of pathogen diversity, and a novel machine by lemurs. census and a community dynamic study of (University of Antananarivo) collected le- from the sites with the highest level of daily learning method ranks the predictive ability Microcebus murinus, Cheirogaleus medius, mur’s fecal samples within Ranomafana Na- human foot traffic, and distance to human of generated outcomes. This interdisciplinary Timothy RAXWORTHY (Hampshire College) Mirza coquereli, and Phaner pallescens. tional Park to complete their studies on wild settlements had a significant effect on E. approach, in partnership with their health had conducted surveys on vanilla bean farm- animal microbiome database. histolytica presence. These results strongly partners (Ministry of Health and PIVOT), ing in Madagascar, looking at an economic Brett SCHEFFERS, Gilles BERNARD (Uni- suggest that lemurs are becoming infected will better channel health resources toward and social parts of policy and development. versity of Florida), Gianluca Cerullo with human pathogens, but do these patho- Sarah ZOHDY (Auburn University) and her children at greatest risk. Several village communities and associa- (University of Sheffield), Lalatiana RAN- team, Nina FINLEY, Janet ROBERTS, and gens harm lemurs? Tom’s team are working tions, including those of the rural communes DRIAMIHARISOA (Madagascar National on a non-invasive assay to find out! Breanna SIPLEY, continued their research Thus far, Tom’s team have completed house- of Ranomafana, Kelilalina, and Ifanadiana, Parks) and Tsitohaina ANDRIAMBOLOLO- on mouse lemur lice, and its effect on viral hold surveys and collected diagnostic speci- were visited and in-site field investigations NA (University of Antananarivo) conducted The interplay between wildlife diseases and spread in human populations. mens. They completed DNA extractions and were made. ground to canopy surveys to quantify vertical host immunity remains difficult to character- diagnostic analyses and have interfaced these

38 39 rainforest and dry forest sites of Ranomafana diets to forest resource availability. Noromalala Elliette, I study the black- Our methodology involves collecting of fecal National Park, Zombitse-Vohibasia Nation- To estimate forest resource availability, and-white (Varecia variegata), samples and recording behavioural and feed- al Park, and . These dry Amanda’s team collected about 15,000 in- one of the primate species under the gravest ing data. Initial analysis suggests that there forest pilot seasons represented some of the sects during the pilot studies using a com- threat of extinction. While anthropogenic are at least two parasites, and a number of only research to be completed in these areas bination of pitfall traps and night-lighting disturbance and habitat loss are the most nematodes, that infect Varecia. One species to date. methods. These specimens will be used to notable threats that they face, health issues may be unique to this species, and in collabo- gain a detailed understanding of the insects also endanger these lemur populations as ration with my advisor Dr Andrea Baden and During these pilot studies, Amanda and her that lemurs are targeting for consumption well. My research aims to investigate one the infectious disease lab at Auburn Univer- collaborators conducted diurnal and noctur- along with completion of biodiversity as- such health issue; intestinal parasites, and sity, genetic testing is planned. nal follows, during which time behavioral sessments for each site. Secondarily, these the different factors which might influence data and fecal samples were collected. Noc- insects will be sent to experts throughout the their diversity and intensity. This is done by My hope is that my research will be a tool for turnal follows in Zombitse-Vohibasia Nation- world for identification and possible diagno- examining the connections (or lack thereof) conservation and help to protect this criti- al Park focused on Phaner pallescensfor fecal sis of new species. Collected specimens will between parasites and the gut microbiome, cally-endangered species, while providing a sample collection. In addition to follows, live be curated and kept in CVB’s SOS Biodiversi- the set of genes in the major histocompatibil- model for future studies examining primate “Conservation efforts are captures were conducted of Microcebus ru- ty Research Center. ity complex, diet, and social dynamics. health. urgent, and research is an fus, Microcebus murinus, Cheirogaleus me- dius, and Mirza coquereli using live trapping important tool to help focus Amanda Rowe techniques. Upon capture of these animals, these efforts on the most Amanda is Patricia Wright’s second year PhD Amanda’s team collected fecal samples and student based out of Stony Brook University, morphometric data. Lastly, Amanda and her productive strategies. By New York, USA. In 2018, Rowe and her team collaborators conducted nocturnal transect understanding biodiversity of foreign researchers, CVB technicians, and surveys in Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park local guides completed several pilot studies to estimate population sizes of all nocturnal presures, we can protect these for Amanda’s PhD work focusing on the com- lemur species in the park. critically endangered species. munity ecology of small bodied, nocturnal lemurs in the family Cheirogaleidae. During One focus of Amanda’s research is the com- Thank you to CVB for their these study periods, Amanda collaborated parison of targeted insect consumption by conservation programs and with Mariah Donohue, Eva Stela Nomen- sympatric lemurs along a gradient of dis- janahary, Anna Bockhaus, Luke Martin, and turbance in both rainforest and dry forest support of researchers.” Zachary Ridgway. Together, these research- climates. To meet this goal, over the next six ers and their teams collected about 800 fecal months she will complete DNA sequencing samples from 12 lemur species spanning of prey fragments found in collected fecal - Noro, PhD student from five research sites. Research was focused in samples and compare insects found in lemur Antananarivo

40 41 Katherine Kling Katherine’s team has done two preliminary New Butterfly Species 70% are endemic. The app will be in English, studies, most recently in October of 2018. French, and Malagasy to make information Katherine, a doctoral candidate at Stony The African Butterfly Research Institute They’ve determined the presence of at least available to the general public, guides, and Brook University, will track the movement (“ABRI”), headed by Steve Collins, is current- two diurnal lemur species within these forest scientists alike as literature is largely unavail- and behavior of lemurs living outside of RNP ly focusing on Madagascan butterflies. There fragments and another three within the ad- able or too expensive for a wider audience. to address the following questions: is a paucity of literature and information jacent forest corridor. Critically, they found When, where, and how often do lemurs enter on this well known group of insects despite several groups of red-bellied lemur (Eulemur There is certainly one species new to science, human-influenced environments, like grow- years of work. rubriventer), the project’s target species. and more probably three. The most extraor- ing fields? What activities do they engage in These lemurs have been found in both dis- dinary coincidence is that at least two of there? What types of human landscapes do The current aim is to produce a smartphone turbed and undisturbed forest but are com- these new species of butterfly were observed they prefer? app illustrating all 330+ species of Mada- monly absent in forest fragments. breeding on the big leafed bamboo that was gascar’s butterflies, of which slightly over Even human-dominated ecosystems can so important to the work done 40 years ago Along the railway tracks bordering the CO- potentially serve as valuable habitats for by Dr. Patricia Wright and her colleagues on FAV, local people have reported seeing le- Malagasy wildlife if these endangered species bamboo lemurs. murs moving outside of the forest, suggesting can survive in these human-altered habitats. that these populations may be able to adapt The extent to which lemurs use and move One of these butterfly species was last ob- to anthropogenic challenges. In 2019, Kath- through human-dominated environments is served in the interior of Madagascar 170 erine’s team will use automated GPS tracking not well known. years ago, and has not been recognized since. and behavioral observation to understand Katherine and her team are based 25 kilome- how lemurs use the overall landscape. As Another butterfly, never seen in the wild, was ters southeast of CVB, working within an in- anthropogenic impacts limit how and where reared from eggs and caterpillars in CVB’s tensely-farmed agricultural landscape inter- animals move, this research is vital for in- laboratory. Another butterfly species that spersed with forest fragments in the village forming conservation policy. evolved to cohabit with arboreal ants in the of as well as in the neighboring forest was found in November, and had not Ambositra-Vondrozo Corridor (COFAV). been seen for over a century.

Ambalavero’s network of 19 forest fragments ABRI recorded 168 species, or 51% of all are spread across a landscape predominantly Madagascan butterflies, in just two months consisting of rice, cassava, peanuts and other of 2018. This makes Ranamafana the richest legumes, ginger, sugar cane, and banana area for butterfly biodiversity in all of Mada- fields. Villagers in Ambalavero also habitu- gascar. Such a small area being so biological- ally walk through fragments and selectively ly rich in butterflies would suggest that this is log. Local lemur populations are therefore likely to be the case for other insect groups. living with a high degree of human influence.

42 43 Cataloging Biodiversity board and dried using silica gel. of organisms, of health care, of environ- and graduate student Noromalala Eliette, in They have been given a label containing Workshops & Events ments, of technologies, of big data—and are obtaining passports and participating in the Marc Hoffman, an undergraduate student information on the place, date and circum- CRS Youth Summit all applying their expertise in focus to this 17th Annual International Primatology So- from Technische Universität Braunschweig, stances of finding as well as a sequence num- For one week in August, six young conser- unique region. ciety Congress in Nairobi, Kenya. They pre- has been interested in arthropods, especial- ber, relating to a line in a digital catalogue vation clubs attended the second annual sented research, and also did exchange visits that can be updated by any researcher adding ly beetles, his whole life. Due to the great youth summit organized by Catholic Relief Lepidoptery Conference and Research to Nakuro National Park, Kakamenga Park, support of Professor and Dr. specimens to Centre ValBio’s new collection Services. The training enhanced their gener- Naivasha, and Nairobi Zoo to learn more A butterfly conference organized by the Andolalao Rakotoarison (Technische Uni- in future projects. Since identification litera- al life skills, and also as Conservation Club about conservation. Lepidopterists Society of Africa was held at versität Braunschweig) as well as Dr. Patri- ture on most insect groups of Madagascar is members. They were able to meet and inter- the CVB in April 2018. The ABRI contingent cia Wright, he spent three “mind-blowing” either non-existing or hard to obtain, identi- act young leaders from Toliara, Morombe, decided to focus on Ranomafana even after Seed Dispersal Workshop months (October to January), at CVB. fication to species level was only possible in Toamasina, Antananarivo, and Mananjary. the other party moved to other locations. Onja Razafindratsima, CVB researcher, orga- certain rather popular groups. Experiences were shared by young profes- nized a Seed Dispersal Workshop in Antsir- Within only two months of active collecting, sional leaders from Youth First, YMCA, and abe. he was able to find almost a thousand spe- At this point, it is impossible to estimate Observatoire de la Jeunesse. Topics includ- International Primatology Society

cies of beetles for CVB’s SOS Biodiversity the number of Arthropod species that RNP ed gender, agriculture, livelihood, youth In August, lemur research technicians Dina Research Center collections! Mounted spec- boasts, and thus it is important to host spe- volunteering, and youth entrepreneurship. Andriananoely, Remi Rakotovao, Georges PMD PRO Training imens have been sorted systematically (by cialists of all sorts that can help to add to “The most amazing thing Presentations on successful leadership were Rene Rakotonirina, and Laurent Ralisoa Project management training, hosted by PIV- families, subfamilies, and tribes) in wooden CVB’s SOS Biodiversity Research Center given by CRS, Orange Madagascar, Adventist joined RNP Director Josiane Rakotonirina, OT at Centre ValBio in December 2018. insect drawers. Depending on size, the spec- collection. There are hundreds of groups of about roaming the tropical Development Relief Services, Centre ValBio, imens have been preserved either pinned on Malagasy insects that desperately require the Malagasy government, and UNICEF. Six a stainless insect pin or glued on a carton experts to collect, revise, and study. rainforest for the first time individuals earned training certificates. is that here, opposed to For youth Summit 2017-2018, Additional- ly, 12 young Conservation Club members the well-researched and obtained certificates of youth volunteering, documented nature of leadership, and championing change for Europe, you see creatures community. that you never saw a photo A Crucible for Planetary Health of, read about, or even This was a research symposium to explore imagined before!” unique opportunities for scientific discovery in the ecozone around RNP. Participants in- cluded world class scientists and experts who - Marc Hoffman, Technische work on model systems at all scales—systems Universität Braunschweig 44 45 Academic Training & From September to November, 19 students hold air pollution impacts TB screening and Other Study Abroads National Geographic Student (17 from the United States and two from diagnosis. Every year, groups of students come from Expeditions Capacity Building Madagascar) participated in the Fall 2018 around the world come to study at CVB. In For the second year in a row, National Geo- program. The U.S. students came from a SBU Dental Students 2018, 131 students from high school and graphic Student Expeditions came to Mad- agascar. Alicia Lamb, from Clarkson Uni- Stony Brook at CVB wide range of colleges and universities. The For the 14th year in a row, Dr. Larry Wynn, university participated in Study Abroad pro- program focused on biodiversity, education, along with Dr. Hamil Willoughby, led a grams. versity, and Eamon Callison, from Harvard SBU Undergraduates Malagasy culture and language, ecosystem group of dental students from Stony Brook University, led this year’s expedition. They This year we successfully completed three diversity, and human impact. University. From June to July, these dental University of Florida brought 15 students from the United States, SBU Study Abroad programs, with a total of students treated a total of 665 patients at free CVB was proud to welcome back the Univer- Ecuador, Columbia, and China for nearly 33 students participating in the Winter, SBU Medical Students dental clinics in Ranomafana and Kelilalina sity of Florida for a third year in a row for three weeks of community service work with Summer and Fall programs, our second, During June, four medical students worked for a variety of tooth problems in both young their course on biodiversity and conservation CVB’s Reforestation and Education Teams. ninth and 25th programs respectively! on testing an app for diagnosis of soil-trans- and old patients. in a developing country. Students worked on In January, students participated in the mitted helminthiasis, understanding the a variety of projects including reforestation, The students learned about agriculture second Winter internship program under village perspectives of parasite infections, As dental coverage in not currently provided health, and lemur research, and they also and soil erosion mitigation work in the the guidance of Tharcisse Ukizintambara learning via network analysis how TB is so- by the state, this mission is vital to the health immersed themselves in traditional local Ananitehana village, and helped our artist and teaching assistants Jessica Zuniga and cially transmitted, and learning how house- of the local community. culture. residents paint educational murals in the Franck Rabenahy. Students dedicated them- Androy commune classrooms. The murals selves to three-week internships on a range California University of Pennsylvania were interpretive maps of Madagascar in the of topics. CVB was delighted to host a number of primary school and a world map in the sec- students from California University of Penn- ondary school featuring some iconic wildlife SBU’s five-week Summer program took place sylvania’s Madagascar Field School program, from different regions. With limited access to between late May and early July. During this led by Dr. Summer Arrigo-Nelson. As well educational materials, these maps will offer session, students were exposed to a range as experiencing local artists and traditional a permanent method of teaching and inspir- of experiences including the Malagasy lan- basket weaving, these students worked with ing over 400 children in this commune each guage, health, environmental education, various CVB teams including Health and year. ecosystem diversity, and scientific research. Reforestation. They were also able to experi- The program included lectures, field exer- ence lectures on biodiversity, speak to active Highschool Programs cises, and a cross-country trip. Students also researchers, and participate in night hikes CVB was also lucky enough to host Putney designed independent research projects, and bird watching to appreciate the full range Student Travel for the first time, and a pro- covering a large spectrum of issues. Project of local biodiversity. They gained hands-on gram from Culture Connect. These students results of these were presented at CVB in experience in the latest research techniques had the opportunity to be immersed in Mal- Ranomafana and at the American Embassy used by professional field biologists, natural agasy culture and gain exposure to high-level in Antananarivo. resource managers, and conservationists. science.

1646 47 Volunteers and Interns pithecus Team to investigate the bacteria and FIMARA was planted in 3 months. September was a Famiova productive month of collecting and drying Luciana Paz (University of Tampa) complet- viruses in sifaka guts via fecal samples. They CVB worked closely with the FIMARA Famiova’s scarves are one of CVB’s most medicinal plants, including voasary gasy, ed a journalism internship by following the also aided the Botanical Team in the collec- members (Ampanjaka healers) throughout popular souvenir items at the Eco-shop. This to sell in the green pharmacy. The oils were Education and Health Teams to collect vi- tion of data on imperiled Calophyllum trees. the year to plan, train, and collaborate on past year, CVB helped renovate the shop roof packaged for sale, and labels, business cards, sual and written content for videos and blog Then they shadowed red-bellied lemurs improving medicinal plant production in and paint the walls. In July, we did a silk- and brochures were produced. CVB staff posts. along with Mariah Donahue (University the Ranomafana region. 1,800 lemongrass worm farming workshop in Ambositra. In traveled to Antananarivo to negotiate with of Kentucky) and Amanda Rowe (SBU). bunches were planted this year, with lemon- December, we started the construction of a Homeopharma, who agreed to collaborate as Olly Dove (Imperial College London): After While following Mariah’s team, they had grass oil extraction anticipated in 2019. room for silkworm farming. an authorized distributor. We started selling her master’s degree fieldwork in Andava- the opportunity to gather fecal samples and behavioural data from red-bellied lemurs. essential oils at the CVB Eco-shop as well. doaka Toliara, Olly came to CVB to join our All FIMARA members were trained in how to Madaworks Research Team and conducted a biodiversity Later, they collected insects from pitfall traps grow lemongrass on their own land to in- survey in the Amboasary fragmented forest. and set mouse lemur traps with Amanda. crease crops and therefore income, with the Sunshine Comes First In December, five girls were selected for the “Camping in the rainforest was grower in charge of finding customers. Ren- Susan Cummings-Findel visited again and 2018 scholarship awards: Ramana (Ambalak- indresy), Rasoanambinina Mamitina Isabelle During July and August, CVB had the plea- Training in Mauritius ovations of the storage space for medicinal worked closely with Alain Rasolo to illus- a fun learning experience, as we Ysabelle (Kelilalina), Rasoanirina Lucia (Ke- sure of hosting three high school interns plants took place in April & May. Two rooms trate and design marketing material for Fidi Laza Claude Ralazampirenena, TEAM leader, lilalina), Rasoanambinina Marie Bernadette learned about the topography from the U.S.A. Libby Scaperotta, Emily were built, one to store raw plants until dried Fidelis, the legendary Kelilalina wood carv- was selected to go to Mauritius for Durrell (Ranomafana), and Hanta Tahinasoa Marie of Ranomafana National Park Welch, and Alex Rogers. They helped the Institute in Conservation and Environment and the other to keep the plants before ex- er. Susan also monitored her entrepreneur 2 Christine (Ranomafana). and snippets of the Malagasy Reforestation Team and followed the Pro- workshops in biodiversity training. tracting oil. Nearly 300 m of lemongrass projects. language and culture. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the wildlife, which provided us with a deeper understanding of the ecosystem. We learned a lot about the long-term goals of these research projects and how fieldwork plays a vital part in the overall future conservation of these animals.” – Libby & Emily

48 49 Spreading the Word Social Media Outreach Facebook Followers 2018 Social media can serve as a tool to heighten Centre ValBio, with Dr. Patricia Wright at its awareness for good causes. Over the past helm, continues to draw international atten- year it has enabled CVB to forge new rela- tion and acclaim for its dedication to conser- tionships, reconnect with long-term follow- vation, community, and innovation. ers, and share progress on current projects in wildlife conservation, biodiversity research, CVB Media Coverage health, and education. • Science Advances published elephant bird discovery in Early Holocene human In July, Jessie Jordan took over the manage- presence in Madagascar evidenced by ment of CVB’s social media platforms (Face- exploitation of avian megafauna, reshap- book, Instagram, and Twitter). Subsequently, ing the history of humans in Madagascar CVB’s Facebook page reached over 10,000 • CBS filmed a segment on lemurs and followers and our Instagram followers dou- 8,178 10,488 climate change in November. The Last bled. Department updates, “bio facts”, group of the Lemurs aired in January 2019 on visits, ongoing projects, and other events World News held by Centre ValBio were all shared with 1st January 31st December CVB’s ever-growing online audience in 2018. • The BBC stayed at CVB in November to film a segment on the hunting behavior of Facebook statistics illustrate that regular Centre ValBio Facebook Post Engagement 2018 pelican spiders which will air in 2019 post updates resulted in increased aware- 30K • RNP was featured on the Conversationist • Invited speaker, The Lost Rainforest of • Scientific expert, The Burning Season, a ness amongst thousands more people in the site as part of their article, Madagascar: Crystal Mountain, Madagascar, South film directed by Claire McCarthy, starring United States, Madagascar, and around the fear and violence making rainforest con- Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Naomi Watts world. This is an excellent opportunity to servation more challenging than ever Center, NY • Invited speaker, The Explorers Club, NY spread CVB’s message to a global audience. 20K • Invited participant, workshop: Develop- Dr. Wright - Awards and • Invited speaker, Environmental Science In 2019, we hope to include more calls to ing Off-Grid Instrumentation for Biolog- Speaker Series, Indiana University, IN Speaking Engagements ical Field Stations: What Does the World action through innovative and user-friendly • Invited speaker, Conservation Leadership donation campaigns. Our goal is to increase 10K • President’s Distinguished Alumni Medal, Need? Stanford University, CA Lecture Series at Palm Beach Zoo & Con- followers and audience engagement. City University of New York • Invited speaker, Human Biology and servation Society, FL • Named Natural World Hero, by Natural Global Health Institute, Stanford • Finalist, St Andrews Prize for the World Safaris University, CA Environment, Scotland Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

50 51 SOS Biodiversity Research Center - Opening 2019 objective is to capture images that reveal Looking Ahead the hidden side of Ranomafana’s rainforest: Next year will be a dynamic year, as we final- aspects of the park’s incredible biodiversity ize and implement a five year plan to safe- that often remain unseen by the more casual guard CVB’s future. visitor.

Living Library Despite being one of Madagascar’s most vis- ited national parks, Ranomafana hasn’t yet been showcased by any dedicated books. To remedy this, Dr. Wright and wildlife pho- tographer Chien Lee have combined their efforts to produce the first ever photographic book on Ranomafana National Park. The aim of this publication, which is scheduled for release at the end of 2019, is to show- case the park’s amazing biodiversity through photography, highlighting its importance for the conservation of endemic species as well as the park’s value as a center for biological research and sustainable ecotourism. Historically, Kianja Mainsto, in collabortion Biologist turned wildlife photographer, Chien These spaces include CVB’s new SOS Edu- with local authorities and MNP, has served as Lee has been based on the island of Borneo Sustainable Funding cation Center, Ranomafana’s Nature Cen- an outdoor model village in the town center for the past 23 years where he has worked on CVB hopes to be a model of innovation and ter, and Kianja Maitso. While CVB’s SOS of Ranomafana where adults and children a multitude of nature books and field guides, an inspiration for future generations. Education Center primarily focuses on per- can actively explore examples of healthy, sus- and now spends several months every year In August 2018, Katie Slivovsky from the formances and lectures, the Nature Center tainable living. Sadly, much of the park was in Madagascar. Regarding his work on this Chicago Children’s Museum and Daniella offers a space for children to playfully explore destroyed during recent cyclones, so funding project, he remarks that “Ranomafana is like Rabino (PhD candidate, University of Sus- the natural world. The building is nearly and repairs are needed to restore the park. a dream-come-true for the nature photog- sex) conducted three weeks of workshops complete, but still needs funding to finish rapher - it has everything from charismatic with CVB’s Education and Environmental construction and purchase the educational Thank you to Katie and Daniella for bringing lemurs to colorful frogs and amazing forest Art Teams to develop three complimentary supplies that will transform it into a dynamic CVB’s staff together and orchestrating a well scenery.” With this in mind, his primary educational spaces in Ranomafana. and exciting space for learning. thought out plan for these three spaces.

52 53 Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biologi- (Varecia variegata). Ecology and evolution, Zoosystematics and Evolution 94(1): 109-

Publications cal Sciences DOI:10.1098/rstb.2017.0102 ISSN: 2045-7758, Vol: 9, Issue: 3, Page: 135. DOI:10.3897/zse.94.14698 1010-1028, DOI:10.1002/ece3.4735 Aivelo, T, Norberg, A. Parasite–microbio- Amato, K.R., Sanders, J.G., Song, S.J., Nute, Dunham, A. E., Razafindratsima, O. H., ta interactions potentially affect intestinal M., Metcalf, J.L., Thompson, L.R., Morton, Beaudrot, Lydia, Miguel Acevedo, Jean- Rakotonirina, P. and Wright, P. C. (2018), communities in wild . J Anim Ecol. J.T., Amir, A., McKenzie, V.J., Humphrey, Philippe Lessard, Douglas Sheil, Eileen Fruiting phenology is linked to rainfall vari- % 2018; 87: 438– 447. DOI:10.1111/1365- G.M., Gogul, G., Gaffney, J., Baden, A.L., Larney, Patricia Wright, Jorge Ahuma- ability in a tropical rain forest. Biotropica, 2656.12708 Britton, G.A., Cuozzo, F.P., Fiore, A.D., da, Distributional shifts in a biodiversity 50: 396-404. DOI:10.1111/btp.12564 Dominy, N.J., Goldberg, T.L., Gómez, A.F., hotspot, Biological Conservation, Volume Aivelo, T., Harris, K.M., Cadle, J.E., & Kowalewski, M.M., Lewis, R.J., Link, A., Sau- 228, 2018, Pages 252-258, ISSN 0006-3207, Erhart, E.M., Tecot, S.R., & Grassi, C. (2018). Wright, P. (2018). Exploring non-invasive ther, M.L., Tecot, S.R., White, B.A., Nelson, DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.10.016 Interannual Variation in Diet, Dietary Diver- sampling of parasites by metabarcoding gas- K.E., Stumpf, R., Knight, R., & Leigh, S.R. sity, and Dietary Overlap in Three Sympatric trointestinal nematodes in Madagascar frog (2018). Evolutionary trends in host physi- Beeby N, Baden AL. Feeding ecology of Strepsirrhine Species in Southeastern Mad- species. Basic & applied , Volume ology outweigh dietary niche in structuring black-and-white ruffed lemurs in Ranomafa- agascar. International Journal of Primatol- 32, Pages 29-40, DOI:10.11160/bah.92 primate gut microbiomes. The ISME Journal, na National Park, southeastern Madagas- ogy, 39, 289-311, DOI:10.1007/s10764-018- 1-12. DOI:10.1038/s41396-018-0175-0 car. American Journal of Primatology, 0040-z Aivelo, Tuomas & Medlar, Alan & Löytynoja, DOI:10.1159/000156842 Ari & Laakkonen, Juha & Jernvall, Jukka. Asangba A, Donohue ME, Lamb A, Wright Faust C, McCallum HI, Bloomfield L, (2018). Metabarcoding Gastrointestinal PC, Leigh SR, Stumpf RM. Variations in the Beidokhti, M.N., E.S. Lobbens, P. Ra- Gottdenker, Gillespie TR, Torney CJ, Dobson Nematodes in Sympatric Endemic and Non- microbiome storage method are not large soavaivo, D. Staerk, A.K. Jäger, Investiga- AP, Plowright R. 2018. Pathogen spillover endemic Species in Ranomafana National enough to obscure variations due to factors tion of medicinal plants from Madagascar during land conversion. Ecology Letters. Park, Madagascar. International Journal such as community, species, body site, and against DPP-IV linked to 2 diabetes, 21:471-483. of Primatology. DOI:10.1007/s10764-017- captivity. American Journal of Primatology South African Journal of Botany, Volume 0010-x 115, 2018, Pages 113-119, ISSN 0254-6299, Fernández-Llamazares, Á. and Cabeza, Baden AL, Mancini AN, Federman SF, DOI:10.1016/j.sajb.2018.01.018 M. (2018), Rediscovering the Potential of Altizer, Sonia, Daniel J. Becker, Jonathan Holmes SM, Johnson SE, Kamilar JM, Louis Indigenous Storytelling for Conservation H. Epstein, Kristian M. Forbes, Thomas R. EE Jr, Bradley BJ. Anthropogenic pressures Bellati A, Scherz MD, Megson S, Hyde Rob- Practice. Conservation Letters, 11: e12398. Gillespie, Richard J. Hall, Dana M. Hawley, explain population genetic structure in a erts S, Andreone F, Rosa GM, Noël J, Ran- DOI:10.1111/conl.12398 Sonia M. Hernandez, Lynn B. Martin, Raina Critically Endangered moist forest specialist, drianirina JE, Fasola M, Glaw F, Crottini A K. Plowright, Dara A. Satterfield, and Daniel Varecia variegata. Nature Scientific Reports. (2018), Resurrection and re-description of Garchitorena A, Miller AC, Cordier LF, et G. Streicker. Food for contagion: synthesis laevis (Boettger, 1913) and al, Early changes in intervention coverage and future directions for studying host–par- Baden AL. 2019. A description of nesting be- transfer of alluaudi (Moc- and mortality rates following the imple- asite responses to resource shifts in anthro- haviors, including factors impacting nest site quard, 1901) to the genus Plethodontohy- mentation of an integrated health system pogenic environments. 373. Philosophical selection, in black-and-white ruffed lemurs la (Amphibia, , ). intervention in Madagascar, BMJ Global

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58 59 Elephant Bird Publication Fundraising Events Two years ago, Dr. Wright and Dr. James Hansford, a palaeontologist SPiN from the Zoological Society of London, un- On October 21st, SPIN New York hosted intentionally rewrote what is known about “Tonga Soa!”, an event to raise awareness the history of Madagascar after discovering and funds in support of UNICEF USA and unusual markings on the bones of ele- Malagasy organizations Centre ValBio and phant bird sub-fossils displayed in CVB’s Zara Aina. reception area. These bones were known through carbon dating to be approximately The fun and family-friendly event featured 10,500 years old, and after closer exam- endless ping pong, food, and creative mock- ination it was confirmed that the unusual tails. The hosts, Susan Cummings-Findel and markings were actually post-mortem butch- SPiN co-founder Franck Raharinosy, did an ery cutmarks made by humans using stone tools. amazing job of combining protecting Mada- gascar with a great atmosphere! As previous estimates for the human occupation of Madagascar had placed the earliest date of inhab- itation at perhaps 4,000 years ago, this discovery radically alters the history of the Red Island.

The discovery also has implications for research on how human contact impacts megafauna. “Humans seem to have coexisted with elephant birds and other now-extinct species for over 9,000 years, apparently with limited negative impact on biodiversity for most of this period, which offers new insights for conservation today,” says Dr. Hansford. This suggests that certain theories, where human interaction was always a swift death knell for large ani- mals, may need to be revisited.

Dr. Hansford and Dr. Wright hope to revisit the bone pit where the remains were discovered for further research, including determining if the human habitation was only brief, and discovering the tools used by these intrepid early explorers.

60 61 Save the Lemurs NYC Gala The auction was a great success, with board member Robin Herrnstein winning the op- Eric Trepanier and Dr. Patricia Wright portunity to name a new species of leech and co-hosted CVB’s first ever Save the Lemurs board member Noel Rowe purchasing the op- NYC Gala at The Explorers Club. We were portunity to name a new macrophage (a virus honoured to welcome Stony Brook University that eats bacteria). Auction items were do- President Samuel L. Stanley, who gave the nated by (amongst others) Madacasse choc- opening address, along with special guest Dr. olate, Ny’Ala Skin Care, Mr. Recipe’s spice Claude Arsène Ratsimbasoa, General Sec- basket, and Madaworks. Board member Steig retary of the Madagascar Ministry of Public Johnson very kindly funded graduate student Health, and two other guests from Madagas- tickets to the event. CVB would like to give a car, Diana Ratsiambakaina and Nicole Mana- huge thank you to Eric Trepanier and Hodan vany. Hassan for making the Save the Lemurs NYC Gala possible at The Explorers Club, and Over $130,000 was raised for lemur conser- hope this can become an annual event. vation through ticket sales and auction items.

62 63 Eric Trepanier and Angela Trepanier Meghan Barnett Luis G. Sanchez Javier Jeffrey Price 2018 Donor Acknowledgments John Walker Julia Baron Gena C. Sbeglia, Ph.D. John Saarmann and Mary L. Saarmann We are extremely grateful and wish to acknowledge everyone who supported Susan Wheeler The Benevity Community Impact Fund Kathryn Scheriff Kenneth Sinkovitz Centre ValBio’s work in 2018. Eric Bergerson Chantal Schiller Catherine W. Sokalski $500–$999 Byron Blount Kyle Schneider Ira Strassberg $500,000 and above Kratt Brothers Company Julia Bradford Mark S. Schneider, Ph.D. Edward Sullivan Darlene A. Benzon Natural Science Center of Greensboro, Inc. David Cassidy and Shana Cassidy Scott A. Smolka Ashley E. Sullivan IUCN Save our Species Fund Timothy Broadbent Noel B. Rowe Vanessa Cognard Geoffrey Strauss Mike Tong Lynne Cannon Julio Corredor Camille G. Trepanier John Whyte $100,000–$499,999 Vedant Gaur Dana M. Cutolo Ali Yapicioglu $1,000–$4,999 Michael Glick Three Graces Foundation, Inc. Kimberly Decker Robin Yuet Ying Eng Jane Alexander Steig E. Johnson Under $100 Richa Dhody Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Ellen Levine Lucille Betti-Nash $50,000–$99,999 Christine Dodge Aronson Foundation Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Joy Bian Anne D. Ehrlich and R. A. Wodehouse Susan Cummings-Findel Deirdre Burns Ny’Ala Skin Care Holly Brown Drew Fellman Esther Cohen Kenney Oh Sharon Fox Diane W. Caminis and Pericles D. Caminis $10,000–$49,999 Conservation Society of California Kaushal Patel Kristen Franzetti Mary (Alix) A. Cooper The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Daniel Pelletier and Mudita Bhargava Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Google Matching Gifts Program Elyse Dankoski Alexander L. Harris and Annmarie Harris Sharon T. Pochron, Ph.D. Florence (Anne) Crafton Lisa Greenbaum Charles Elgoyhen John Kalimtzis and Dawn Rogers Prime Scour Inc. Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Todd Guren June Fait ‘65 and Herb Coles Melissa Karame David Sears James R. Herrnstein and Robin M. IBM International Foundation Christina M. Fink Lorraine and Richard Schwarz Edward W. Testa, Jr. and Jennifer A. Testa Herrnstein Maurice Kernan and Karen E. Kernan Cristina Givelechian Family Foundation Judith Trepanier The Herrnstein Family Foundation Ruby Kim Ronda R. Graves Julia Lourie Eric Varma Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Thomas E. Lovejoy Jelena Guzenko Charles Mele and Deborah Mele Sydel Wolf Lawrence Kalvar Sondra Markman Marie Hauw Nancy E. Raposa Max Wygod Laurie Landeau Foundation LLC Vincent Muehter Jason Holden Jesse McKinney Constance Roosevelt Steven Zatz Michael Keesee Marianne R. Rowe Edward Norton Jeffrey A. Nagel and Mickie Nagel Jane Perry Timothy M. Kobba Carl Safina and Patricia Paladines $100–$499 Konstanty Krylow and Alina Krylow Seneca Park Zoo Society Point Defiance Aazk $5,000–$9,999 Lana Abernathy Bump Lazaro Priegues Ella Matsuda Nancy Sherlin and Grover Sherlin Tobe Mizels Bergen Highlands/Ramsey Charitable Bhavna Sogani John Allman Stephen Raposa Americord Registry Veera Rastogi Judith A. Nimmo and Kenneth Nimmo Foundation Stanley, Marion, Paul and Edward Bergman Colin Phifer Global Wildlife Conservation Family Foundation Anonymous Helen Rowe-Drake

64 65 Acknowledgments

• The Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development • The Madagascar Ministry of Public Health • The Madagascar Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Dr. Rakotozafy Germain, Direction Regionale de la Santé Publique, Fito Vinany Dr. Andriamihaja Randrianambinina, Medecin Inspecteur, District Ifanadiana • Chef CSB II, Ranomafana, Kelilalina, and Tsaratanana • Dr. Patricia Wright and the financial donors who have made this work possible • Pascal Rabeson, CVB Director • Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja, ICTE Country Director • All Centre ValBio staff (Logistics, Administration, Finance, IT, Education, Health, Reforestation, and Research) • PIVOT • Marie Stopes • Bergen Highlands/Ramsey Rotary Club • All our long-term researchers and their graduate students • Jamie T. Cummings, Peace Corps volunteer • Stony Brook University Dental Team • Stony Brook University medical interns, • Jesse McKinney and the entire DrOTS Team • TB Reach, Dr. Peter Small, and Jesse McKinney • All the Kings of the villages and Presidents of the Fokontany • The Mayors of the communes of Ranomafana, Kelilalina, and Tsaratanana • All the community health workers in the villages

To you all, we are truly thankful.

66 67 Our Partners

68 69 Leadership Advisory Board (in alphabetical order) Dr. Joan Abrahamson Jane Alexander Dr. John Allman Dr. Jonathan Aronson Achieving Conservation Together 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 Photo Contributors Luciana Paz p48 Noel Rowe Ian Passe p58, 71 Chien Lee: front cover, p22, 36, 59, Dr. Barbara Wold Noel Rowe p60, 61, 62, 63 back cover Alberto Vasari p61 Senior Management Jana Grabner p3, 41, 63, 65 (All other photos by CVB staff) Gabriella Carvajal p8, 67 Dr. Patricia C. Wright, Executive Director Jessie Jordan p10, 11, 14-16, 18, 19, Michael A. Docherty, ICTE/CVB acting Administrative Director 20, 21, 27, 28, 44-46, 50, 62, 66, 69 Chief Editors Dr. Benjamin Andriamihaja, ICTE Country Director Rabe Franck p12 Dr. Patricia C. Wright Pascal Rabeson, CVB Director Luciana Paz p20 Michael A. Docherty Jesse McKinney, CVB Chief Technology Advisor Deborah Ross p21, 70 Jessie N. Jordan Dr. Jean Claude Razafimahaimodison, CVBHead of Research Katie Slivovsky p23 Desire Randrianarisata, CVB Head of Logistics Zac Babbit p30, 31 Prisca Andriambinintsoa, CVB Head of Administration Andrea Baden p35 Graphic Designers Joel Hartter p39 Alain Rasolo Stony Brook University Staff Mariah Donahue p40 Jessie N. Jordan Hodan Hassan, Chief Development Strategist Amanda Rowe p40 Jeanne O’Neil, Study Abroad Coordinator Lotte Van Den Hout p41 Timothy Kobba, ICTE Assistant Eliette Noromalala p41 Illustrator 70 Michele Tennant p47 Alain Rasolo 71 Centre ValBio BP:33 Ranomafana, 312 Ifanadiana, Madagascar (+261) 34 13 581 71 / (+261) 34 38 864 12

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