In June 2022 I spent some time with the Mad Dog Initiative in the Andasibe rainforest region, home to the legendary Indri - the largest of the lemur species, and Critically Endangered.

Their June 2022 outreach campaign, in partnership with Travelling Animal Doctors, saw 277 community dogs vaccinated against Rabies and 211 neutered. This vital work not only contributes to canine welfare, but helps to protect human and wild mammal populations. The dogs living at the edges of the protected areas, such as the Analamazoatra National Park, pose a physical and microbiological threat to the wildlife within, so by humanely controlling their populations and protecting them against transmissable disease the wildlife are passively protected too.

MDI continues their great work throughout the year, contributing to academic research projects, providing priceless training opportunities for Malagasy vet students, and engaging local communities about the importance of wildlife conservation and sustainability. During the height of the pandemic MDI provided much-needed food supplies to many families in the Andasibe community, and continues to work with schools to educate and promote alternative solutions to hunting and other unsustainable practices in the surrounding rainforests.