Andry Rajaonson

Decline of Propithecus diadema edwardsi and Varecia variegata variegata (Primates: Lemuridae) in south-east Madagascar

This paper describes the results of field surveys for two Endangered lemurs, Milne-Edwards sifaka Propithecus diadema edwardsi and the black and white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata variegata , in the unprotected Fandriana-Marolambo forest corridor in south-east Madagascar. Published range maps show P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata present in the corridor, although few surveys have been conducted in this area. A total of 292.9 km of surveys were conducted at eight sites in the corridor but P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata were each located at only one site. Absence of these species at other sites may be the combined result of altitudinal and anthropogenic effects. Conservation plans for P. d. edwardsi and V. v. variegata are complicated because gaps in forest cover prevent dispersal of conspecifics from nearby protected areas. Conservation authorities should be cautious in using range maps based on the presumed distribution of lemur species.

Southern Range Extensions for the Critically Endangered Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur Varecia variegata and Greater Bamboo Lemur Prolemur simus

Abstract: The Vondrozo-Midongy rainforest corridor in south-eastern Madagascar is an example of a habitat corridor between otherwise disconnected protected areas, and is therefore considered important for the conservation of the endemic biodiversity of the island. Through several years of collaboration with local communities surrounding this corridor, WWF-Madagascar learned that members of some of these communities claimed the existence there of the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata) and the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus), both regarded as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and not known by the scientific community to be present in the corridor. We therefore surveyed six sites in three communes in May 2010 to confirm this information. We made direct observations of Varecia variegata at two sites, which represent a southern extension to the known range of the species. We also found the characteristic feeding remains of Prolemur simus in the three most southerly sites, observations which also represent a major southern extension of the known range of this species. However, the feeding signs we found were old, at least a year old by our estimations, so we recommend further research to ascertain whether the population still exists there. The corridor is threatened by many anthropogenic pressures, and further reinforcement of the conservation program for the corridor is therefore likely to be necessary to ensure the viability of endangered lemurs in the region, and the role of the corridor in ensuring biological connectivity between the more substantial forests to the south and north.

Local Perspectives on Environmental Insecurity and Its Influence on Illegal Biodiversity Exploitation

Environmental insecurity is a source and outcome of biodiversity declines and social conflict. One challenge to scaling insecurity reduction policies is that empirical evidence about local attitudes is overwhelmingly missing. We set three objectives: determine how local people rank risk associated with different sources of environmental insecurity; assess perceptions of environmental insecurity, biodiversity exploitation, myths of nature and risk management preferences; and explore relationships between perceptions and biodiversity exploitation. We conducted interviews (N = 88) with residents of Madagascar’s Torotorofotsy Protected Area, 2014. Risk perceptions had a moderate effect on perceptions of environmental insecurity. We found no effects of environmental insecurity on biodiversity exploitation. Results offer one if not the first exploration of local perceptions of illegal biodiversity exploitation and environmental security. Local people’s perception of risk seriousness associated with illegal biodiversity exploitation such as lemur hunting (low overall) may not reflect perceptions of policy-makers (considered to be high). Discord is a key entry point for attention.