Many students from the FARAKA Conservation Club had officially given up hope of seeing one of Madagascar’s most reclusive lemurs– the red-ruffed lemur– when a distinctly auburn-colored movement drew their eyes to the trees above. At long last, they had spotted one of Madagascar’s most critically endangered animals, whose habitat is restricted to the forests of the Masoala Peninsula in the northeastern region of Madagascar. Despite their excitement, the 26 students and 3 teachers present remained quiet and still in order to sketch it hanging in the low branches above before it ambled away.
Several of the resulting sketches demonstrate careful attention to detail, studious colored pencil strokes bringing to life the lemur’s bright eyes and suggesting curiosity in the lemur’s wide-eyed stare.
FAKARA Conservation Club, based in the 45,000-person coastal town of Maroantsetra, attended its much anticipated second trip with local Malagasy guide and PICC team member, Pascal Elison, in April 2022. On this five day trip, students learned about wildlife and sketching best practices, while spending nights in local homestays with several welcoming families of Ambodiforaha, a small village on the Masoala Peninsula. The families of Ambodiforaha were paid for hosting Maroantsetra’s students and have benefited from the numerous PICC sessions hosted since 2020. The younger children of these families loved getting to know the older students from the “city.”
Pascal taught the 29 trip participants how to spot birds in the dense foliage, how to talk to clients, and how to handle the many logistics of these types of trips. Despite the frequent heavy rainfalls that occurred during the trip, the students’ developing skills in spotting wildlife gained traction as evidenced by seeing rare species such as the white-browed owl and the Pygmy kingfisher, a sparrow-sized bird with rainbow-colorful plumage. One teacher felt so inspired by this work that he has since started the training process to become a guide.
Due to the students’ passion for this work, Pascal continues to teach this group of students twice weekly back in their regular school where he encourages them to attend university and pursue conservation work. Brimming with enthusiasm for protecting the magnificent biodiversity of the Masoala Peninsula, the students have sparked an interest to visit the reserves with their families. Through this conservation-focused work, students have developed leadership skills and remain committed to protecting the lemurs, birds, and coral reefs of this region.
PICC and the FARAKA Conservation Club sends its most sincere thanks to the people of Ambodiforaha for graciously hosting them and sharing their knowledge of the region. PICC looks forward to continuing this partnership and supporting the wildlife of the Masoala Peninsula.
*Post by new PICC Team member Kate Leaf, May 1, 2023
Update: The FARAKA students are continuing their education in language and guiding skills. Enjoy watching this impromptu interview that Pascal conducted with FARAKA student Flavien Rabezara in the forests of Masoala.