The DLC-SAVA Conservation project in Madagascar has achieved a lot this summer! In addition to a wealth of activities at the front line of lemur conservation in the wild, our SAVA team proudly presented our work at the 30th Congress of the International Primatological Society. With six of our team presenting, our delegation showcased the work we’re doing on an international stage. To learn more, read this blog post about the Congress and our rock star presenters! Our team in the SAVA region continues to share knowledge and services with farming communities who are stewards of lemur habitat. We’re sure you’ll appreciate these updates on our latest achievements.

Education specialist Evrard Benasoavina presented about the effectiveness of our lemur appreciation campaign.

We were ecstatic to welcome to the SAVA region Dr. Chris Beyrer, Director of Duke Global Health Institute, who joined us along with his colleagues, Duke professor Charlie Nunn and infectious disease expert, Andy Lambert. As an expert in HIV and related infectious diseases, Chris observed our health team in action and provided new insights and recommendations, including new ways we can collaborate with Duke Global Health experts. It was an honor to share our SAVA Conservation projects with them.

Dr. Chris Beyrer (second from left) with our health team.

We’re pleased to share this new publication led by Dr. Camille DeSisto with a diverse team, including SAVA Conservation scientists. Lemurs and people depend on the same tree species for their livelihoods, highlighting the importance of these links in dynamic social-ecological systems.

Red-bellied lemurs are important seed dispersers, planting the future forests for lemurs and people. Photo by Martin Braun

Our Agroecology Team continues to impress: this year they trained 1,000 farmers in the best techniques for planting rice, vegetables, and vanilla, as well as raising chickens and fish. In parallel, the team is supporting farmer networks to create cooperatives, microfinance mechanisms, and access to markets.

Our 30 Agroecology technicians reach over 15 communities with our sustainable farming training programs.

New finding: our malnutrition research shows up to 20% of children in Madagascar are anemic. Our team provides mothers with hygiene, nutrition and cooking classes, and breastfeeding consultation. We are also partnering more closely with the ministry of health to scale up our interventions.

Over 4,000 women were served this year in our women’s health initiative. That makes almost 10,000 women in 40 communities since we began in 2012!

Teaching about healthy diets with hands-on cooking classes, followed by picnic lunches.

Doctors and nurses from the clinics visit the most remote villages to provide health care.

Your support of our Madagascar Programs Fund is crucial to these projects, allowing us to reach thousands of people and protect lemurs in the wild. Thank you from all of us at the Lemur Center!

We want to thank everyone who attended Charlie Welch’s retirement event in May and those who made pledges and contributions to our fundraiser in celebration of Charlie’s more than 35 years working in Madagascar conservation. We reached our initial goal of $100,000 to activate the Lemur Center’s newest endowment, the Charles Welch and Andrea Katz Fund. We hope our conservation donors will keep this fund in mind for special gifts, such as legacy/planned gifts and IRA/required minimum distributions. For an update on how much the fund has raised, visit the Welch and Katz Fund page, and to make a pledge or gift to the fund, click here!

We are grateful to our dedicated network of Lemur Center supporters! Read more about our progress in our 2025 Conservation Newsletter.

For a gift to Madagascar Programs, click on the button below. If you have questions about our giving opportunities, contact Mary Paisley, DLC Development Director, at 919.401.7252 or mary.paisley@duke.edu.

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