Where is the MFG?

Our conservation efforts focus on the forests and communities of eastern Madagascar near the city of Toamasina (also known by its French name, Tamatave).

Toamasina is the island's second largest city with over a quarter million residents and home to its primary seaport. At 1,000 miles (1,600 km) long, Madagascar itself is world's fourth largest island and is located off the east coast of Africa.

The map at right shows the location of the MFG's three work sites. The distance from the MFG's Office to Parc Ivoloina is approximately 10 km and from Ivoloina to Betampona another 30 km.

Betampona Reserve

Created in 1927 as the first of its kind, Betampona Natural Reserve is a lowland rainforest located covering 2,228 hectares (5,506 acres).  Under the direction of the MFG, it is the site of the first and only release of zoo-born lemurs into the wild. This surviving forest provides haven to many rare species including indri, diademed sifakas, aye-ayes, and a broad variety of reptiles and amphibians. MFG's researchers monitor the park and assist visiting scientists. MORE.

Parc Ivoloina

Parc Ivoloina features a popular 4-hectare zoo within a 282-hectare forestry station. Visitors see Malagasy wildlife including free-ranging lemurs. An important regional asset, the site features the Center for Environmental Education, The Ivoloina Conservation Training Center with its laboratory, and an Ecoagricultural Model Station. Ivoloina Zoo serves as a government-authorized site to care for animals seized from the illegal wildlife trade or illegally held pets. MORE.

Toamasina Office

The MFG's in-country office is located in Toamasina between the airport and the city's center. Within the office, MFG's library is well-known and used by researchers including local high school and college students. Beyond books, the library has a collection of PDF files with reports, published papers and other documents organized in a searchable database. Two computers with internet and WiFi are available to students and other colleagues. Contact Info.

Double rainbow over Betampona

Indri in the forest at Betampona

Grey bamboo lemur at Ivoloina

Capacity building at the ICTC

Internet research at the office

The MFG library in action