Riverbanks Volume XXVIII, Number 3 - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

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Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. But, what really sets Madagascar apart from most other places on Earth is the high degree of endemism (i.e., species of plants and animals unique to a certain place). Lemurs are just one example ... they are found nowhere else on the planet. Sadly, animals and plants that are endemic to islands tend to be at a higher risk of extinction due to the limited range imposed upon them by the surrounding water, an effective barrier to range expansion for terrestrial species. BACKING THE PROJECT Riverbanks’ Conservation Support Fund recently granted funds to Dr. Ed Louis of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and the Madagascar Biodiversity & Biogeography Project (MBP) for an assignment titled, “Monitoring and Home Range Analysis of the Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus) at Kianjavato, Madagascar.” The MBP is working to establish Kianjavato as a permanent site for research in Madagascar and has accomplished a number of important goals to this end. 28 Kianjavato By Ed Diebold Director of Animal Collections & Conservation This project is currently monitoring the largest known population of greater bamboo lemurs at Kianjavato. To date, 15 animals have been radio-collared and 45 confirmed in the population. This is a remarkable accomplishment, considering recent published estimates that suggest only 12 groups, totaling less than 100 individuals, have been documented in the past 20 years of regional surveys. Dr. Louis visited Kianjavato in March 2009 and was told by an experienced local guide, Mr. Rakotonirina, that he estimates the local population alone to be at least 100 individuals. INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY Kianjavato presently is a non-protected site. Importantly though, since the inception of the monitoring and surveillance project, there has been no evidence of illegal harvest of lemurs. With the support of the mayor, the local community has taken an active role in the protection of the local lemur population and, at present, the MBP is renovating a building in Kianjavato to be utilized as a research station and community center to facilitate conservation education programs.
The monitoring and home range analysis project in Kianjavato has yielded novel and significant information regarding the greater bamboo lemur. The 15 radio collars and surveillance equipment, supplied by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Conservation Support Fund, are a vital component to this important research endeavor. As a result, Dr. Louis and the MBP are very optimistic about the future for these lemur populations at Kianjavato. Riverbanks is pleased to support this outstanding research. Reference: “Monitoring and Home Range Analysis of the Greater Bamboo Lemur (Prolemur simus) at Kianjavato, Madagascar.” Final Report for Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s Conservation Support Fund Grant. Photo above left: A lemur receives a medical examination before being fitted with a radio collar. Photo above right: Greater bamboo lemur with radio collar Photo left: Members of the local community Photo below: Greater bamboo lemur after medical examination 29
Page 1 and 2: May - June 2009 1
Page 3 and 4: Believe it or not, I really do put
Page 5 and 6: Chris Spearen, Garden Senior Hortic
Page 7 and 8: Osmanthus fragrans “Osmanthus fra
Page 9 and 10: 2009 Members’ Night Series It’s
Page 11 and 12: May 17 - 6:30pm Zoo Families Sea ho
Page 13 and 14: Next time you are in the produce de
Page 15 and 16: ZOOventure Programs Early Childhood
Page 17 and 18: Adventure tours Experience the Adve
Page 19 and 20: Week #1 - June 8-12 Week #2 - June
Page 21 and 22: Cygnus melancoryphus Common South
Page 23 and 24: population growth rate of 6% per ye
Page 25: Once the manure is delivered to the
Page 32: P.O. Box 1060 Columbia, SC 29202-10

Riverbanks Volume XXVIII, Number 3 - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

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