In the Mangabe Protected Area, in eastern Madagascar, the collaboration between Madagasikara Voakajy (MV) and Chester Zoo demonstrates how a strategic partnership can generate measurable impacts in community-based conservation. Through financial, technical and scientific support, 50 hectares of natural habitat have already been restored, contributing to the protection of threatened species, including the golden frog Mantella aurantiaca.

At a time when pressure on Madagascar’s ecosystems is intensifying, partnerships between local organizations and international actors are emerging as an essential lever to strengthen the effectiveness of conservation actions. The Mangabe example illustrates how such collaborations make it possible to move beyond short-term interventions and embed biodiversity protection over the long term.

A partnership built on complementary expertise

For several years, Chester Zoo has supported Madagasikara Voakajy in the implementation of its activities in Mangabe. This partnership is based on a shared vision: conservation grounded in science, locally anchored, and oriented towards concrete results.

Chester Zoo’s support goes beyond funding alone. It also includes technical and scientific assistance, strengthening MV’s capacity to plan, implement and monitor conservation actions adapted to on-the-ground realities. This complementarity between international expertise and in-depth local knowledge is one of the key pillars of the partnership’s effectiveness.

Measurable results serving ecosystems

Among the most significant impacts is the restoration of 50 hectares of natural habitat within the Mangabe Protected Area. These actions contribute to the resilience of forest ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining local biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

Habitat restoration also plays a key role in protecting endemic and threatened species by recreating conditions conducive to their survival and reproduction. It is part of an integrated approach aimed at reconciling nature conservation with local development.

Protecting an emblematic species: Mantella aurantiaca

The golden frog Mantella aurantiaca, an endemic species of Madagascar, is one of the symbols of Mangabe’s unique biodiversity. Threatened by habitat degradation, it directly benefits from the actions supported through the partnership between MV and Chester Zoo.

The protection of this species is not limited to ecological measures alone. It is accompanied by awareness-raising activities and close collaboration with local communities, in order to strengthen understanding of conservation issues and promote long-term ownership of protection efforts.

Conservation rooted in local communities

In Mangabe, conservation is inseparable from community involvement. The actions carried out by MV, with the support of Chester Zoo, integrate local populations as full stakeholders in the protection of their environment.

This community-based approach helps strengthen the sustainability of conservation actions by aligning conservation objectives with local needs and priorities. It also contributes to building trust, which is essential for the success of long-term initiatives.

Clear added value for donors and partners

For donors and technical partners, the partnership between Madagasikara Voakajy and Chester Zoo provides a concrete example of how investments can be translated into tangible results. Impacts are measurable, actions are led by a credible local organization, and ecological and social benefits are clearly identifiable.

This example highlights the importance of long-term engagement based on transparency, complementarity and a shared vision of conservation.

In Mangabe, the partnership between MV and Chester Zoo shows that community-based conservation becomes more effective when collaborations are strong and sustainable. By combining resources, expertise and local engagement, such partnerships make it possible to respond in a more coherent and ambitious way to biodiversity challenges in Madagascar.

In a context of growing environmental pressures, investing in strategic partnerships is not merely an organizational choice; it is an essential condition for generating real and lasting impact on the ground.