Today, July 25th, we went to Anja Park; it is a locally run park and an excellent example of community based conservation. The park was established 15 years ago by the 3,000 people who live in the community. The park employs 44 men and women in the community as tour guides. Aside from providing jobs, they also give 20% of their profits back to the community that supports it (a prime example of community based conservation). The other 80% of the profits stay within the park itself. The income is from 2 main things that the park provides. Firstly, the park has a pond that they stock with royal carp. These carp sell for 6,000 Ariary a kilo at the market. These fish are harvested from August-September, so they are a seasonal income but make a huge difference for the community. Secondly, the ticket sales’ revenue contributes a great deal to these profits and lasts year round. Another awesome program that this park offers is their education program. They help support 4 schools and a hospital within the community, with the previously described proceeds.
The park covers 66 hectors of land and contains 15 groups of lemur catta, also known as ring tailed lemurs. During our visit to the park we got to see many of these ring tailed lemurs. I was surprised at how comfortable they were around humans, but I guess that’s the result of being exposed to tourists so often. The most interesting fact, in my opinion, that the tour guide offered was that these lemurs consume a lot of toxic berries. In order to neutralize these toxins they eat a certain type of grass, which helps keep them alive and gives them the nutrients they need to survive. We also got to go visit the caves that the lemurs reside in at night in order to avoid the predatory nocturnal birds that fly over their territory. Compared to other lemur catta found in Beza, the ring tailed lemurs that live in Anja appear to be much fluffier and healthier. This is most likely due to the abundance of food in their home, thanks to the community based conservation provided by the park.
By Nick Kane
