Join Wildlife Madagascar for a rare opportunity to contribute directly
to cutting-edge field research and conservation in La Mananara.
Our Lemur Research Project places volunteers at the forefront of efforts to safeguard some of the world’s most endangered primates.
Madagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot, with more than 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Yet this extraordinary natural heritage is under severe threat. An estimated 95% of lemur species are at risk of extinction, making them the most endangered mammal group in the world. Through this volunteer program, you will help us generate essential scientific data, restore degraded habitats, and support local communities in building a future where both people and wildlife thrive.
All participants receive a complimentary membership to Wildlife Madagascar,
joining a global community committed to protecting Madagascar’s forests and wildlife.
Our Partnership with
This program is made possible through our partnership with The Great Projects, an organization with extensive experience creating, managing, and operating meaningful wildlife conservation volunteering opportunities worldwide. Known for their commitment to ethical, well-structured programs, The Great Projects connects passionate individuals with initiatives that deliver real impact for wildlife and communities.
Their expertise in volunteer engagement, logistics, and program management allows Wildlife Madagascar to welcome dedicated conservation supporters to the field. Together, we are launching this program at La Mananara to help expand the impact of our conservation work.
Research Focus
As a volunteer, you will contribute to field research on five priority species of lemurs:
Your work will help us understand population status, behavior, habitat use, and seasonal resource needs.
Volunteers assist with:
Lemur population surveys
Recording sightings, behaviors, group composition, and vocalizations to track population trends.
Lemur habituation
Supporting researchers as focal groups gradually acclimate to observers, a vital step for accurate long-term ecological studies.
Forest biodiversity monitoring
Surveying transects for plants, insects, birds, and chameleons; deploying and maintaining camera traps to track cryptic species and identify threats.
Your consistent presence in the forest also helps deter illegal activities such as poaching and timber extraction, strengthening conservation outcomes on the ground.
Volunteer Activities
Volunteers will experience the daily rhythm of life at a research station while contributing to hands-on conservation, including:
Seed collection and processing
Gathering native seeds directly from trees and from lemur droppings, then preparing them for germination in our nurseries.
Reforestation and nursery care
Nurturing seedlings and planting them in priority zones such as wildlife corridors and buffer areas.
Volunteers will also assist in removing invasive plants, helping us to restore native forest habitats to their original glory. Don’t forget your gardening gloves!
Community garden
Working alongside team members and local residents to support sustainable agriculture and strengthen ties between conservation and community livelihoods.
Education support
Helping with conservation education activities at the local school, reinforcing the link between people, forests, and wildlife.
Why It Matters
Your participation advances essential science, strengthens habitat restoration, and supports community-based conservation at La Mananara. The data you help collect informs management decisions for Madagascar’s last remaining rainforests in central Madagascar, while your work in nurseries, gardens, and classrooms helps create a more resilient future for both people and wildlife.
Join US!
Be part of this one-of-a-kind scientific adventure and help us shape a future for Madagascar’s forests and wildlife.
Programs in 2026 will run from May through November.
All volunteers also become members of the Wildlife Madagascar family, with updates on how your efforts continue to make a difference long after your time in the field.