Field Station

Field Station

Rebecca Lewis of the University of Texas established the Ankoatsifaka Research Station in the Kirindy Mitea National Park in 2006. It is located within the dry forest approximately 100 km south of Morondava near Belo-sur-Mer.

Researchers and camp staff enjoy lunch together at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Researchers and camp staff enjoy lunch together at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Infrastructure

The field station has tent sites, solar power, a building to store equipment, a kitchen, and limited water. Currently bungalows are only available for the permanent Malagasy employees, but bungalows for researchers are planned for the near future. A cook/guardian lives in camp at all times and provides 3 meals/day. Staff can also facilitate satellite camps in other areas of the park.

Ankoatsifaka Research Station

Ankoatsifaka Research Station storage building recently built with donations.

Ankoatsifaka Research Station

Ankoatsifaka Research Station

ankoatsifaka donate baobobsifaka donate image from Chris

Average annual rainfall at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Average annual rainfall at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Weather data are collected daily. Mean annual temperature is 24°C and ranges from 6 to 41°C.  Rainfall is approximately 700 mm each year.

A 1 km2 grid system of trails (with trails every 25 m) has been cut into the forest approximately 1 km from the campsite. The trail system facilitates following animals and finding plants. Researchers rarely have to leave a trail during data collection. Over 12,000 trees and vines have been marked, identified, and measured within the grid system as a part of the Sifaka Research Project. Phenological data have been collected for multiple years.

Trail intersections are marked for easy navigation in the Ankoatsifaka Research Station grid system.

Trail intersections are marked for easy navigation in the Ankoatsifaka Research Station grid system.

Trail in the Ankoatsifaka Research Station grid system.

Trail in the Ankoatsifaka Research Station grid system.

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Thousands of sifaka food trees are identified, marked, and measured within the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Permanent Staff

Rebecca Lewis, Ph.D.: Director, Primatologist

Rebecca Lewis, Ph.D.: Director, Primatologist

Andriamampiandrisoa Tanteliniaina Maximain (Max): Camp Manager and Sifaka Behavior Specialist

Andriamampiandrisoa Tanteliniaina Maximain (Max): Camp Manager and Sifaka Behavior Specialist

Nihagnandrainy Francisco (Francis): Plant Specialist, Sifaka Research Assistant, Assistant Camp Manager

Nihagnandrainy Francisco (Francis): Plant Specialist, Sifaka Research Assistant, Assistant Camp Manager

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Max collecting behavioral data on Verreaux’s sifaka at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station while the lemur Ana looks on.

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Francis collecting sifaka feeding data at the Ankoatsifaka Research Station.

Research Assistant Daniel taking a much needed break from collecting data

Research Assistant Daniel taking a much needed break from collecting data

Patrick: Sifaka Research Assistant

Solo collecting behavioral data as part of the Sifaka Research Project

Solo: Sifaka Research Assistant

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Manjara: Cook, Capture Specialist

Richard: Cook, Capture Specialist

Richard: Cook, Capture Specialist