|
What
is Project Ivoloina?
Ivoloina
is a 400-hectare forestry station on the east coast of Madagascar
near the city of Tamatave. Parc Zoologique d'Ivoloina (Parc Ivoloina
or PZI) is a small zoo which occupies about 4 hectares of the
station. In 1986, PZI was closed after nearly all the caging and
other infrastructure was destroyed by a major cyclone. The MFG's
involvement with Ivoloina began in 1987 when, along with Duke
University Primate Center, we sent a husband and wife team of
technical advisors to Ivoloina: Andrea
Katz and Charlie Welch. Andrea and Charlie began working on
staff training and rehabilitation and development of the grounds,
animal enclosures, and facilities. Three years later, in 1990,
PZI was inaugurated and reopened to the public. Carefully stewarded for well over a decade by Katz and Welch, PZI matured under their guidance. Today, a dedicated and diverse staff carry on their efforts.
The
zoo receives approximately 14,000 visitors a year of which about
70% are Malagasy nationals. Our objectives at Ivoloina are to
stimulate regional awareness and enthusiasm for conservation and
to expand in-country captive breeding efforts for lemurs and other
endangered Malagasy fauna. Working closely with the Ivoloina staff,
Andrea and Charlie developed a master plan for a regional conservation
center and zoo with programs for the captive breeding of endangered
species native to the eastern rainforest region; conservation
education for zoo visitors, local teachers, and schoolchildren;
training of Malagasy staff in zoo animal husbandry and management;
and research to lead to sound reintroduction and restocking projects
for captive-bred and confiscated lemurs.
Visiting Madagascar?
Come see us at Parc Ivoloina. See what's in store at the Ivoloina Tourist Website.
|
|
