Conservation, Community, and Lemurs: A Volunteer Experience in Madagascar
By Fanih Randriamanohisoa
Wildlife Madagascar and The Great Projects staff with the first group of volunteers! From left to right: Lauren, Claudia, Domohina, Fanih, Mahandry, Lynn, Debra, Merryl, Carol, Vamsee, Varsha, Odiano, Rojo, Ravaka, and Rota.
As a Volunteer Facilitator with Wildlife Madagascar, I work closely with The Great Project’s Project Coordinator, Claudia, alongside our camp staff, researchers, and local team members, to ensure that every volunteer has a meaningful, well-organized, and rewarding experience while contributing directly to conservation efforts in Madagascar. Every group that arrives brings new energy to camp, and it has been inspiring to see how quickly people from very different backgrounds connect through a shared passion for wildlife and conservation.
This month, we welcomed our first volunteers from countries including Australia, India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. One of the most remarkable parts of the experience has been the diversity of ages and backgrounds among participants, ranging from just 16 to 68 years old. Despite our different cultures, languages, and life experiences, everyone arrived with curiosity, kindness, and a genuine desire to help protect Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity. Very quickly, camp began to feel like a small international family.
One of the moments that touched me most happened during our very first lemur monitoring activity. For many volunteers, it was their first time walking through a Malagasy rainforest, listening to unfamiliar sounds and learning how to move quietly through the forest. When we finally encountered lemurs in the canopy, the excitement and wonder on their faces reminded me just how special our wildlife truly is, even for those of us who are fortunate enough to experience it regularly.
Observing wild lemurs.
Four times each week, volunteers join researchers in the forest to assist with lemur monitoring and behavioral observations. These activities contribute valuable data to our conservation and research programs while also giving participants a chance to see species such as the indri, diademed sifaka, and bamboo lemurs in their natural habitat, learning how these animals communicate, socialize, and navigate the forest. I was overjoyed when some of the volunteers even saw brown lemurs, which have yet to be habituated. The haunting call of the indri, which can echo across the rainforest from miles away, is often one of the most unforgettable experiences for first-time visitors. At the beginning, some volunteers even mistake frog calls for lemurs before gradually learning to recognize the incredible diversity of sounds within the forest.
Night walks quickly became another favorite activity. Equipped with headlamps, we carefully explored the trails after dark, scanning the trees and undergrowth for mouse lemurs, chameleons, geckos, and other wildlife active at night. These walks introduced participants to entirely new species and created some of the most memorable moments of their stay.
Searching for nocturnal lemur eye shine.
To make wildlife spotting even more fun, we also introduced a “forest bingo” game featuring species that volunteers could try to find during their time at camp. What began as a simple activity quickly turned into a friendly competition, with volunteers comparing sightings and assisting one another in their new species quests throughout their time in camp.
Beyond wildlife monitoring, volunteers also contribute directly to practical conservation activities, including habitat restoration and reforestation work. In our plant nursery, volunteers help prepare seedlings, fill planting bags, and care for young native plants that will later support forest restoration efforts. One especially memorable activity involved our coffee plantation project, where volunteers planted coffee trees that will remain part of the landscape long after they return home. One volunteer became particularly attached to her tree and repeatedly asked us to “take special care” of it after her departure, a small but meaningful reminder of the personal connection many participants develop with the project.
Planting coffee trees and participating in forest restoration.
Volunteers also engage with the surrounding community through activities such as maintaining the community garden. Working in the garden provided some memorable moments, especially during one sweet potato harvest when volunteers working in different sections returned with very different results. One participant carried back enormous sweet potatoes, but another returned with only tiny ones. The friendly kidding about the difference kept us laughing for days.
At the local school, volunteers assisted with the environmental education program by teaching English lessons to the students. The activities focused on topics such as animals, colors, and numbers, helping the children improve their vocabulary while connecting learning with environmental awareness. Although language barriers sometimes created challenges, the children’s enthusiasm and the volunteers’ creativity always found ways to bridge the gap. These exchanges became rewarding experiences not only for the students, but also for the volunteers, who said these moments helped them feel more connected.
Volunteers spending time at the local school.
Some of the strongest memories were formed during the quieter moments at camp. After a long day in the forest, we would get together for happy hour, play cards, and share stories about our wildlife sightings. These evenings were a lot of fun and helped turn our group into good friends.
Relaxing around the La Mananara field station.
As our first volunteer group’s time came to an end, I felt both grateful and sad to say goodbye. It was wonderful to spend time with Lynn, Merrill, Carole, Vamsee, and Varsha and share with them the wildlife, forests, and communities that make La Mananara so special. They felt less like volunteers and more like friends. I am so thankful for everything they contributed. I hope they take a little piece of Madagascar home with them and return one day.