Program Sahamalaza
Program Sahamalaza
The Sahamalaza Program is run under the auspices of the non-governmental organization AEECL (Association for Research and Conservation of Lemurs). The project was named after the Sahamalaza Peninsula in northwestern Madagascar. This is a unique area with many endemic species of plants and animals. Even here, however, forests are being destroyed, and thus also the natural home of the animals living here. AEECL has been pushing for the declaration of this area as a protected reserve for many years. The first success was achieved in 2001 when UNESCO declared Sahamalaza as a biosphere reserve, and finally, in 2007, the entire area received the status of a national park.
Blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)
Blue-eyed black lemur is the only non-human primate with blue eyes. It is classified as a critically endangered species and lives almost exclusively in the wild on the Sahamalaza Peninsula in Madagascar. As part of the Sahamalaza conservation project, the blue-eyed black lemur has been selected as the flagship conservation species of the area.
The situation of blue-eyed black lemurs is very serious not only in the wild but also in human care. Only a few dozen animals live in zoos around the world. Only one to three cubs are born per year, of which usually only one or none survive. In addition, almost always the same individuals reproduce, therefore the genetic base of blue-eyed black lemurs is getting narrower and their population is aging.
The Ostrava Zoo successfully reared a young blue-eyed black lemur in 2009. It was the very first rearing of this extremely rare species not only in the Czech Republic but also within the global population outside of Madagascar, the USA, and Western Europe. More offspring were reared in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Threats to lemurs
Madagascar, sometimes called the "eighth continent", is a country whose natural wealth is described as unique within our entire planet, and yet it is still seriously devastated. Almost 90% of the mammals living in Madagascar are endemic (that is, living only there), an even higher number can be found in the local amphibians and reptiles. Unfortunately, most of these animals are endangered and their long-term existence is uncertain. Deforestation and forest burning represent the greatest threat to Madagascar's nature. Most of Madagascar's rainforests have already been destroyed, leaving Madagascar on the brink of ecological disaster. Although the Sahamalaza area has been declared a national park, there is still a risk of deforestation or hunting of endangered animal species.
Program activities
The conservation project includes not only research and protection of blue-eyed black lemurs but also other animals and plants living here and the entire ecosystem. It strives for the construction of schools, innovation, and gentler agriculture, teaching children, installing wells, and reforestation. More than 30 other zoos involved in this international project are working together to save this unique area.
You can learn more at www.aeecl.org.
How Ostrava Zoo helps
Ostrava Zoo has been supporting the Sahamalaza Program since 2005, and since 2017 this program has been included in the "3 CZK for Wildlife" program. In 2018, Ostrava Zoo hosted a charity run, the Ostrava Zoo Run for Lemurs, the proceeds of which amounted to 190,000 CZK, which was used for the needs of the rescue program directly in Madagascar.
