30 
Bulletin of the EANHS 27(2/3) 
stripe across the head and extraordinary red ear tufts. 
We would then watch and follow this focal animal for as 
long as possible noting down on a data sheet every 
five minutes the following details: 
Time; location; behaviour; what tree is occupied (it 
was not possible for the team to learn the different 
plant species); where the lemur is situated, either in 
the canopy or under the canopy; what the lemur is 
doing; resting .grooming, feeding or travelling, and 
a final column for comments 
In the evenings wc would compare our different 
lemur groups and discuss interesting observations. I 
noticed, for example, from my fust group that one lemalc 
seemed dominant and her movements from tree to tree 
were followed by the rest of the group. Although it is 
not confirmed, fcmnles do seem to dominate groups It 
also seemed that the rearing of infants was a communal 
responsibility as the young lemurs would at times move 
to other females than the moth er for short periods. 
Something else of interest was the fighting that 
sometimes erupted. We learnt that small territorial 
skirmishes are common in wild groups but that very 
fierce fighting was confined to the lemurs at Nosy 
Kuiiiba where they rely on being feed by tourists 
I also found that Lemurs so not stay In the top 
canopy during the day. probably to avoid predators 
Community relations and development 
At Nosy Kotnba (with the help of a translator) and at 
Marodoka (where, to our surprise, older people still 
remember Swahili) wc were able to find out more on 
local perceptions towards tourism development in their 
area and preservation of the environment. Most 
interesting were our visits to Marodoka. Here the Black 
Lemur Forest Project has helped to put up a small 
community centre where at present the women are 
learning pattern making for souvenirs. This village was 
the first in Madagascar, settled by people originally from 
Tanzania who were trying to av oid Uk Arab slave traders. 
They built the first Malagasy mosque. The reception 
we received was very warm, the villagers being very 
excited to meet our team of all Africans with whom they 
could communicate. The President of the village invited 
us for a formal welcome where we were greeted with 
Franjapani necklaces and treated to local delicacies 
before settling down on floor mats to talk about then 
hopes and aspirations for development and then project. 
The people of Marodoka arc very proud of Lokobe 
Reserve and because they have the forest with its flora 
and fauna and the village history they led they have 
something to offer tourism. They would like to (cacti 
tourists about themselves and gain benefits from it so 
they will be better able to preserve their natural areas 
and keep the village from dying, because at present all the 
young people move away. They were very keen to hear 
what wc had to ofler by way of advice and experience. 
We also met with other key players of conservation, 
development and tourism in this area One of whom w-as 
the chief of the Lokobe reserve. The reserve is now 
under the management of the National Association for 
the Management of Protected Areas (AN GAP). Another 
was the Swiss Foundation who have built a ecotourism 
hotel, the revenues from which will go to community 
projects. 
Wc interviewed tourists to find out their job 
background, how they travelled— via an agent or os 
independent travellers— what souvenirs they bought 
and if they were aware of what souvenirs they should 
not buy. and their reasons for coming to Madagascar. I 
was able to cam' out a hotel survey at Ampasipoye to 
find out the hotelier's feelings towards development 
and the environment 1 found out details of number of 
rooms, type of facilities, cost of accommodation, 
building materials (local or imported), number of 
employees and if they were from the area, and what the 
hotel did for the community. 
How did the experience benefit me? 
Until now. my experience in biological monitoring has 
been confined to waterfowl counts on Rifl Valley lakes 
und game counts in the Nairobi National Park. I have 
never before done a study on a single species working 
at identifying individuals and monitoring individual and 
social behaviour. 1 found it a stimulating experience 
which I value as having given me an invaluable insight 
into the logistics, the methodology, and the human 
endeavour that goes into this soil of research. 
I work as the Office Manager of the East Africa 
Natural History Society , a scientific and environmental 
organisation established in 1 909. The Society provides 
its member* with a program of films, birdwalks. outings 
as well as free entry to the Museums of Kenya, and a 
library service. It publishes a scientific Journal and a 
Bulletin for general member reading. My Earthwatch 
experience has broadened my understanding and 
therefore my appreciation for scientific research. 
Within the same organisation 1 have started a Special 
Project known as Friends of City Park. City Park consists 
of gardens and natural forest and is visited by hundred*; 
of Nairobi residents each week. We hope to carry out 
environmental education programs from this site as well 
as improve on its facilities. From my visit to Madagascar 
I gained invaluable ideas which I can apply to the project: 
I. An ’“adopt a tree" campaign. This will help us 
raise awareness and funds for the maintenance 
of the forest area of the park. 
1 Our school outreach program can foster links 
between the schools in Nairobi and those in the 
Nosy Be area by way of the Black Lemur Forest 
Project's own school program. 
3. The surveys that I carried out of tourists, 
hoteliers and local villagers arc very useful in 
giving me experience and knowledge which I will 
rely on when carrying out similar surveys at City 
Park 
4. The Principal Investigator encouraged me to 
think of creating an Earthwatch program for the 
Pork, in which volunteers like myself can take 
