Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 14258776

Community-based conservation of indri (Indri indri) and other Critically Endangered lemurs in the Andriantantely lowland rainforest, Madagascar

The indri is the largest of the living lemurs, all endemic to Madagascar. It is considered amongst the 25 most endangered primates in the world, and as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The indri has traditionally been protected by local taboos, but with these taboos eroding hunting pressure is increasing. This community-based project run by The Aspinall Foundation helps protect one of the largest remaining lowland indri populations, living in the Andriantantely rainforest of eastern Madagascar. 

Our local teams are passionate about saving this sacred forest, and its important but isolated populations of indri, black-and-white ruffed lemur, greater bamboo lemur and diademed sifaka, all four of which are Critically Endangered. The goal of our project is therefore to facilitate effective community-based conservation of the Andriantantely lowland rainforest and its lemur populations. The objectives of the project are:

1. Support local communities to mitigate direct threats to lemurs and their habitats in and around the Andriantantely lowland rainforest

2. Facilitate elaboration and support implementation of community-based management plans for Andriantantely

3. Determine distribution, density and abundance estimates for the diurnal lemurs of Andriantantely, especially the indri, black-and-white ruffed lemur, diademed sifaka and greater bamboo lemur

4. Collect ecological data on the indri population in Andriantantely, such as diet, group sizes, demography, activity patterns, and other information as appropriate

5. Raise awareness of forest and lemur conservation amongst local communities