Madagasikara Voakajy, Madagascar

Preventing endemic species’ extinction in Madagascar with local communities

ABOUT: Madagasikara Voakajy (MV) is a dynamic Malagasy organization dedicated to preventing the extinction of Madagascar's unique endemic species, including iconic national treasures like the Golden Mantella frog and Grandidier's Baobab. Since more than 90% of Madagascar's species are found nowhere else on earth, preserving them from decline and extinction is of global significance.

MV actively engages in various conservation initiatives, preserving essential Malagasy flora and fauna including chameleons, frogs, bats, and baobabs. MV collaborates closely with local communities through a holistic approach that combines scientific research, community participation and local knowledge, and cross-program conservation strategies. By building partnerships and empowering local people, MV enables them to become guardians of their natural habitats and champions for safeguarding endemic species. MV mainly partners with community-based conservation groups in their sites to do this, and works to equip them with tools to manage their natural resources effectively. This community-centred approach ensures the long-term viability of Madagascar's remarkable biodiversity and promotes sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. Additionally, MV is a CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) scientific member and aims to use its influence to create value for endemic species so preserving them continues to benefit local people.

Learn more: article on BBC | IUCN SOS

Impact

Fostering community engagement and promoting behavior change: Since its creation, Madagasikara Voakajy has worked with local communities in various ways to conduct research on endemic species and restore their natural habitats. MV has hired members of local communities as part of their green employment initiative. A number of former poachers have now become nature patrollers, helping to preserve the environment rather than destroy it.
Success in endangered species conservation: MV has developed and implemented the conservation strategy for the golden mantella frog. The Mangabe protected area was established in 2015 for the conservation of this endangered species. Through MV’s monitoring, the Golden mantella population was shown to have increased in its natural habitat. As a result, the species was downlisted from the Critically Endangered category on the IUCN Red List. While it is still in the Endangered category, this is a positive step for the species and MV aims to continue on this trajectory.
Community benefits from nature: Three community-based conservation groups in Menabe have been participating in harvesting and processing Grandidier’s baobab fruits with MV. The powder made from the baobab fruits became an important source of income for these groups. With this incentive to restore the dry forests of the Menabe, the natural habitat is recovering.
Youth involvement in nature preservation: In Mangabe, a remote area where small-scale farming is the main economic activity, MV noticed that even 14-year-olds were involved in deforestation for farming. To address this issue and engage the youth in conservation, MV launched the Youth project in 2016. This initiative focused on training teenagers from 21 villages in project management, sustainable farming, and forest preservation. The introduction of project management techniques inspired youth groups to develop infrastructure, including constructing and repairing roads. Consequently, more young individuals have joined community-based conservation groups, with some assuming leadership roles.
Nurturing the Grandidier's baobabs: MV started conserving Grandidier's baobabs in the Menabe region in 2012, aiming to involve local communities in restoration. To incentivize their participation, a baobab powder and jam production initiative was launched in 2016. This allowed communities to harvest baobab fruits and transform them into valuable powder, sought after locally and internationally. The pilot program successfully engaged VOI members in fruit harvesting, powder production, and restoration activities, resulting in a significant increase from 300 to 1000 healthy baobab trees.