Help SOS save Madagascar's Lemurs and Communities

Since launching SOS Lemurs in August SOS has identified and selected for funding 11 lemur conservation projects around the island continent of Madagascar. To date, five of those projects have been funded through the SOS grant making mechanism.

Some of these projects began in December 2015 and others are currently in the start-up phase. At present SOS has uploaded project profiles for the five projects. Because of the diversity of lemur species, their habitats and the mix of extinction pressures facing the animals, each project is customised with its own set of activities and objectives. Ultimately the aim is to save lemurs from extinction however.

Key to that is addressing the social context of Madagascar's communities. Poverty and sustainable use of resources, especially natural resources such as firewood and forest products are intrinsically linked to the fate of a number of lemur species. If deforestation can be stopped, and habitats restoried while providing sustainable alternative livelihoods for communities, then there is hope for this most unique group of primates. Alternativel livelihoods include eco-tourism but also small scale agriculture. Meanwhile one project is also working to introduce super efficient stoves along with a firewood management plan that will help reduce deforestation while engaging also in large scale community driven tree planting.

SOS Lemurs is at an early stage of implementation. But it is has built on good foundations: choosing existing partners in Madagascar with experience and intimate knowledge of the country to implement projects. Secondly all projects are aligned to the Lemur Conservation Strategy written by the world's leading primate specialists who understand the needs of lemurs and communities alike.

We will continue working to finance more projects through SOS Lemurs and appreciate your support in helping make this happen.

Projects funded so far include:

1. Youth for Lemurs and Lemurs for Youths in Mangabe district, Madagascar.
2. Saving Critically Endangered Lemurs, restoring forests and empowering communities in Kianjavato, Madagascar
3. Leveraging biodiversity to help rebuild fragile ecosystems in Northern Madagascar for the Northern Sportive Lemur.
4. Conservation of various Lemur species in the western dry forest of Ambato-Boeny, Madagascar.
5. Improving the conservation of lemurs in Tsimembo, Melaky Region, Madagascar.

In total these five projects are helping protect populations of no less than 16 different Lemur species - many of which are also Critically Endangered - in imminent risk of extinction.

This represents an efficient and effective use of resources and we would like to thank you for your support in sharing our message and financing SOS Lemurs to do more conservation work in Madagascar - saving Lemurs and the communities who depend on them.

Links:

• Lemurs in Mangabe area project
• Lemurs of Kianjavato project page
• Lemurs of Antsiranana Province project page