ACCE

Background

ACCE (Arongampanihy Communication Culture Environnement) was the first organisation in Madagascar dedicated to the conservation of fruit bats.

Fruit bats play an important role in ecosystem function as seed disperses and pollinators need to be included in conservation plans. Human activities such as fire and hunting threaten fruit bats and the unique ecological services that they provide. Currently, the Madagascar flying fox Pteropus rufus is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species and the other two endemic fruit bats of Madagascar are also considered to be under threat. Whilst many threatened species in Madagascar benefit from their protected status under wildlife legislation the fruit bats are classed as game and can be legally hunted between May and August.

In 1998 ACCE started to draw attention to the plight of the Madagascar flying fox near the town of Moramanga. The ACCE team subsequently received encouragement from the University of Aberdeen and Professor Paul Racey through projects funded by the Darwin Initiative. Since 2003, ACCE and Madagasikara Voakajy have worked together on a number of different projects that focus conservation attention on the roosts of the Madagascar flying fox. The roost conservation projects run by ACCE and Madagasikara Voakajy have received generous support from a number of donors, including Conservation International, Pact Madagascar, Lubee Bat Conservancy, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Darwin Initiative, Seacology Foundation, Bat Conservation International, Whitley Fund for Nature and Fauna Flora International.

Status

ACCE was formed on 12 December 1998 as a non-governmental organization (415 FIV/MOR/DS/ASS) based in Moramanga.

Structure

ACCE consists of general membership, a volunteer board of trustees and the executive.

Mission Statement

Conservation of Madagascar’s fruit bats and other endemic wildlife through research, education and communication

Objectives

Working within the socioeconomic context of the Alaotra Mangoro Region we aim to establish practical conservation that protects fruit bats and promotes livelihoods

Focal Species and Strategy

Our field surveys have identified endemic and threatened reptiles and amphibians that rely on the same small forests as the Madagascar flying fox. We are therefore developing plans that focus on habitats that benefit a range of species. We are also investigating the impact of hunting on these animal populations (e.g. bats, frogs). In order to achieve our aims we involve local communities to improve environmental management, health and well-being as well as promoting a greater awareness about biodiversity.

We have seven main strategic activities:

1. Awareness raising of the general public
2. Improving environmental education in schools
3. Conservation of fruit bat roosts
4. Establishing social contracts (dina) for conservation
5. Technical support and funding for village-based conservation
6. Linking villages, local government and NGOs
7. Conservation research and monitoring

Experience and Capabilities

Environment

Reforestation, agro-tourism, management transfer, field research, habitat protection, mapping

Socio-economic

Bee keeping, fish farming, interviews

Education

Environment teaching in primary schools

Capacity building

Local government planning

Ongoing Projects

• Construction and rehabilitation of rural primary schools near fruit bat roosts
• Monitoring abundance and movement of the Madagascar flying fox
• Monitoring exploitation of frogs for bushmeat
  

Completed Projects

• Reforestation 100 ha funded by Tany Meva
• Reforestation of 20 ha in Anosibe Maroharona funded by FID
• Municipal development plans for Antanandava, Antaniditra Commune funded by MIRAY, FID
• Survey of fruit bats roosts in Zahamena-Ankeniheny with Madagasikara Voakajy funded by Conservation International
• Environmental education project and teacher training in 17 rural primary schools funded by Fauna and Flora International, Bat Conservation International and Department for International Development (UK government)
• Monthly monitoring of fruit bat abundance at seven roosts
• Environmental awareness about AIDS and STD in Andaingo Commune
• Facilitation of visiting researchers to study fruit bats
• Fire management workshop in la d'Amboasary, Fierenana, Andaingo and Antaniditra Communes
• Established social contracts (dina) in seven communes to protect fruit bats and forest fragments
• Moramanga contact point for a project to integrate fruit bat conservation messages into the national curriculum
• Construction of a research and interpretation centre near a fruit bat roost
• Established a nursery of native tree seedlings from seeds collected in fruit bat faeces
• Capacity building of local government in Analasoa, Mahatsara, Marotsipoy, Anosibe,Antanifotsy fokontany.

Planned Projects

• Developing ecotourism at fruit bat roosts
• Capacity building for bee keeping
• Expanding environmental education in the region
• Fire management
• New collaborations with scientists
• Income generation
• Utilization of bat faeces: fertilizer and reforestation
• Form a fruit bat conservation club four young people
• Reinforce conservation at priority sites

Difficulties Experienced

• Fruit bat roosts occur outside of the existing protected area network
• Fruit bats are no protected species
• Fruit bats are eaten by many people
• Many important roosts are located in a large pine plantation and bat conservation is not included in the plantation management plan
• Forests continue to be converted into farmland
• Forests continue to be illegally exploited for timber
• Lack of sufficient resources, financial, material and personnel

Contact

Mr Andriamanana RABEARIVELO (Coordinator)

Lot A 422 Moramanga ville MORAMANGA 514.

Email : accemada@yahoo.fr

Tel : 261 (0) 330501789