Operation Wallacea in Madagascar: Day 2
Day 2 – Antananarivo 14/06/2024 – Friday
For the second day in Madagascar, we started promptly at around 9 o’clock on the dot. We took the minibus across the exhilarating capital of the nicknamed Red Island. The minibus traveled along the dirt roads towards the lemur park, where we witnessed people using the river water to wash their clothes and drying them on the roadside. After an hour, we arrived at the breathtaking wilderness that housed the lemurs.
During our visit, we observed five different species: the ring-tailed lemur, most commonly found in the south, which had a striking resemblance to King Julian. We also saw the bamboo lemur, sifaka lemur (both crowned and Coquerel’s), and the black lemur. During our lunch, we heard a raucous between two species of lemur that were fighting over territory as we roamed around their realized niches and witnessed their interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors. The lunch consisted of chicken and coconut curry, with pork and vegetarian options. We then rewarded ourselves and perused the gift shop full of lemur-themed souvenirs.
The lemur park gave us an opportunity to observe an animal that can only be found in one place, something many will never see. We all feel very grateful. As the afternoon drew to a close, we visited a supermarket to buy snacks for our 12-hour road trip tomorrow across the island. This evening, some of the group gathered to play an electrifying game of the beautiful game, also known as football.
Diego, Fabian, Rhia, and Robyn
