Volunteers and friends are once more welcome to stay with us at Zazamalala in western Madagascar! The formula hasn’t changed: live and work with us among the friendly and interesting Malagasy people, and enjoy the spectacular natural resources of the country, at Zazamalala as well as in the nearby renowned Kirindy forest reserve and the Unesco world heritage Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Everybody is welcome between early december and the end of februari.
Contact: info@madagaskar.com

New birds have discovered

Many new birds have discovered the Zazamalala forest and are now nesting near the ponds. Most obvious is a noisy colony of hundreds of white Cattle egrets. Large herons and storks are nesting on the huge Baobabs, e.g. the endangered Madagascar Pond-heron, Humblot’s Heron,  Green-backed Heron, and Great Egret. Other birds often seen in the botanical garden  or near the bungalows are  Black-crowned Night-heron, Glossy Ibis,  Grey Emutail, Madagascar Green Pigeon, Crested Coua, Crested Drongo,   Madagascar Partridge, Western Lesser Vasa Parrot, etc. Most surprising however was the visit of a Madagascar Fish Eagle in October. All these birds can live in the Zazamalala area without fear of human beings,  but Madagascar Ground Boas, Lesser Indian Civet Cats and wild pigs are a threat and particularly to the ground-nesting birds, e.g. Collared Nightjar and Malagasy Malachite kingfisher. Many other birds are very shy and hide in the vegetation around te ponds, e.g. Little Bitter, Bernier's Teal, and Madagascar Jacana.  
Good news from the Bamboo Lemurs with a record number of babies, hanging all day on their mother’s bellies. Although live seems a continuous party for these lovely lemurs, they are in fact always anxiously watching the silently circling Madagascar Buzzards.
Come and watch for yourself!