Dwarf Lemurs of the Central Highlands
Dwarf lemurs of the central highlands
$600 raised
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23 days left!
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This initiative will remain open for donations until December 31st, 2025. If the campaign is partially supported, we will scale the scope of the initiative to align with available funds while still supporting an associated student. If this happens, we will update the website in early January.
Update: Thanks to a private donation, we can reduce the goal of this project from $16,000 to $15,000!
Update: Thanks to a private donation, we can reduce the goal of this project from $15,000 to $14,000!
Update: Thanks to a private donation, we can reduce the goal of this project from $14,000 to $13,900!
Update: Thanks to a private donation, we can reduce the goal of this project from $13,900 to $13,800!
Update: Thanks to a private donation, we can reduce the goal of this project from $13,800 to $13,200!
Mentors: Marina Blanco &
Onja Razafindratsima
Timeline: Mar - Nov, 2026
Background: Madagascar's central
highlands have long been overlooked
as lemur habitat. Itremo, a large
Protected Area in the region, is home to a population of furry-eared dwarf lemurs that inhabit natural and small forest fragments interspersed with grasslands. In this initiative, we aim to better understand the lives of dwarf lemurs at Itremo and their contributions to ecosystem function. By tracking individual lemurs, we will document foraging and ranging behavior before and after hibernation and determine if dwarf lemurs disperse the seeds of fruit trees between fragments, supporting their survival and that of native trees.
Outcomes: This initiative will contribute to a Masters or PhD thesis. The results will help us understand the relationship between dwarf lemurs and Itremo's trees, linked to the quality and structure of forest fragments.
For supporters interested in more details, please email us at madagap.inc@gmail.com. We would be happy to send information or a full proposal.
Itemized budget: $16,000 USD
Stipends: $4,000
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Student stipend ($222/month x 9 months) = $1,998
Local team stipend ($3.33/day x 150 days x (3 guides + 1 cook)) = $2,000
Transportation (Tana - Itremo - Tana x 4): $2,000
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Car rental ($60/day x 4 days/trip x 4): $960
Gas ($230/trip x 4): $920
Hotels on the road ($10/night 3 nights/trip x 4): $120
Field work & gear: $6,000
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Food for the team ($200/month x 5 months) = $1,000
Camp fees ($2.7/day x 150 days) = $405
Radio collars ($450/collar x 8) = $3,600
Receiver to track lemurs: $1,000
Seed parentage identification = $4,000
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DNA extraction kits = already purchased
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Sample analysis (including reagents, consumables, sequencing, and specialized labor) = $4,000
