Threatened biodiversity in Madagascar

For generations, a colony of Madagascar flying foxes (Pteropus rufus) has roosted in the tall trees of Sainte-Luce’s S6 forest fragment. These remarkable fruit bats are essential to forest regeneration, acting as important pollinators and seed dispersers. However, before SEED Madagascar began protecting the roost in 2016, the colony had declined by approximately 65%.

Through community-led conservation, SEED established a protected roost exclusion zone under local DINA (community law) and supported local bat guardians. These efforts have helped the colony recover to more than 2,500 individuals, making it one of the largest known colonies in southeast Madagascar. With other roosting sites in Mandena and Vatambe lost, Sainte-Luce has become an increasingly important refuge for the species.

However, this progress is now under serious threat. Illegal logging within the protected zone escalated in 2026. One of the colony’s three roost trees was felled by October, while seven new logging sites were identified. Loggers have been entering the forest at night, and community guardians face difficulties confronting them without adequate enforcement support. The loss of these remaining trees could displace the entire colony, as surrounding forest fragments lack suitable alternative roosting sites.

SEED Madagascar is seeking support for a 12-month emergency conservation response to safeguard the colony and prevent further destruction. Activities will include increasing bat monitoring from two to four surveys per quarter, supporting five community guardians to conduct regular patrols, and documenting illegal logging through GPS records and photographs. SEED will also bring together regional authorities, local leaders, community forest associations and law enforcement agencies to strengthen implementation of the DINA. Ten village-level awareness sessions will reinforce community understanding of forest protection, while boundary markers will be repainted to clearly identify the exclusion zone.

Your donation will help protect one of Madagascar’s most important flying fox colonies, safeguard a decade of conservation progress and preserve the bats’ vital role in regenerating Sainte-Luce’s forests. 

Together, we can prevent the loss of this irreplaceable natural refuge. Thank you for your continuous support.