Lemur Venture is a unique research and conservation programme designed to discover more about the lemur species and forest habitats of south-east Madagascar. Launched in July 2007, the programme offers the opportunity to live and work amongst some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Madagascar on a number of exciting research and conservation initiatives. Lemur Venture volunteers work on an extensive range of projects from the collection of data on endangered lemur species to environmental education with local communities and tree-planting for reforestation purposes.

Camping facilities are provided for volunteers throughout their stay although everyone must bring their own tent! Facilities are basic, especially when working in rural areas - electricity and piped water are available when in Fort Dauphin however, in the field we collect and then treat water from rivers and wells. Volunteers should be prepared for work that involves early morning rises, working in the evenings, physical exertion, adventurous road journeys and long hikes to reach remote and beautiful project sites. Meals mainly consist of rice and beans supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish when available.

The sites selected for Lemur Venture will give you a real insight into the amazing diversity of Malagasy landscape: from the south's dry spiny desert, to the rainforest-ringed beauty of Fort Dauphin, to the wet coastal forests of the littoral forest zone. In the field, participants will work closely with trained specialists and will gain basic field skills in areas such as animal behaviour, feeding ecology, conservation biology, lemur censusing, home range studies, community natural resource management and habitat management.