Category: Uncategorised

Rare Victory for Madagascar Tortoises

Conservationists are celebrating a double victory over tortoise smugglers in Madagascar. Earlier this month, a Nigerian man was arrested with 300 tortoises and another 20 have been returned to their habitat after being seized on a neighbouring island. But campaigners’...

/ Jan 29, 2008

It was a very sad week in Andavadoaka as we lost (they left, we didn’t mislay them) two of our staff members on the same day. Craig, our medic, and Tristan, a field scientist. They had both been around for...

/ Jan 29, 2008

A trip down South

As hard working Expedition Manager I rarely get to leave site, but was fortunate enough recently to join a trip to go down south to Lamboara to collect the fish monitoring data. Bic led the trip and took along Lalao,...

/ Jan 22, 2008

Meet the Nahudas

Every expedition we take our new crop of volunteers into one of the village ‘epi-bars’ to meet the nahudas – the village elders. We introduce ourselves to them and then shake our tushes on the dancefloor to some Malagasy music...

/ Jan 15, 2008

Lemurs feel the cold!

Lemurs Warm-up with Space Heaters January 9, 2008, 5:19 PM PST Chilly ring-tailed lemurs at the Japan Monkey Centre in Aichi Prefecture have been jostling for positions in front of an electric heater to keep warm. Employees say the heater...

/ Jan 10, 2008

The Wanderer’s Return

Thursday 27th December Tana Airport 13:06 (UK), 16:06 (Madagascar) In approximately 54 minutes I will be heading down the runway and leaving this Fair Isle. A month has passed very quickly and I feel I have done a lot, seen...

/ Jan 8, 2008

A fond farewell

Tuesday 18th DecemberCoco Beach, Andavadoaka18:26 (UK), 18:26 (Madagascar) Tonight was a really fantastic night at the BV camp. It is the penultimate night for the volunteers here in Andavadoaka and to see them all off the women’s association of Andavadoaka...

/ Dec 31, 2007

Turkey love and three hours difference

Monday 17th DecemberCoco Beach, Andavadoaka16:09 (UK), 19:09 (Madagascar) I really should change the clock on my computer but I quite like being reminded that I am 3 hours in front of all you UK people. So when I get up...

/ Dec 27, 2007

From Ellie: Reflections of the BV site

Sunday 23rd DecemberLa Refuge, Tulear14:34 (UK), 17:34 (Madagascar) My time on site has gone so quickly. It has been great to finally get to see the workings of BV and meet the staff, volunteers and local community that make BV...

/ Dec 24, 2007

From Ellie – All the better for feeling better

Thursday 13th December 2007Coco Beach, Andavadoaka18:52 (UK), 21:52 (Madagascar) Firstly, I’d like to say hi to Fiona’s dad if he is reading this.  Thanksfor listening in!  Now for the update: After feeling like death for 2 days and having half...

/ Dec 18, 2007

From Ellie: Back in Andavadoaka…after 4 years!

Wednesday 12th December 2007Andavadoaka –  Blue Ventures Research site 06:47 (UK) / 09:47 (Madagascar) Finally I have arrived and I feel awful.  I think I must have picked up something up in Tulear and for the first time in all the travels...

/ Dec 18, 2007

This week’s blog comes from Sheryl Dickey

I have just returned from a wonderful adventure with Bic (a Malagasy BlueVentures staff member) and Vanessa (a fellow volunteer) to a village downthe coast called Lamboara. The purpose of our trip was to do some sea grassmapping and to...

/ Dec 11, 2007

From Ellie: Logistics

Saturday 8th December 2007Tulear – Chez Lala – still!13:53 (UK) / 16:53 (Madagascar) LogisticsA week has passed and I am still in Chez Lala. It has gone quite quickly really and I have had done a lot whilst here; meetings...

/ Dec 11, 2007

From Ellie: Changes in Tulear

Thursday 6h December 2007Tulear – Chez Lala – still!17:00 (UK) / 20:00 (Madagascar) I thought today I would write about my reflections on Tulear. I have spent nearly a week here now and a lot of things have changed from...

/ Dec 11, 2007

From Ellie: Partner developments!

Monday 2nd December 2007Tulear – Chez Lala16:57 (UK) / 19:57 (Madagascar) You are probably now thinking I have no one else to speak to. You’d be right. My French is getting rapidly better – but my conversational level has only...

/ Dec 11, 2007