IUCN launches 11 new SOS Lemurs Phase II projects in Madagascar

A new chapter for lemur conservation

Since its launch in 2017, the SOS Lemurs initiative, part of the IUCN Save Our Species grant-making programme, has played a vital role in funding frontline conservation efforts across Madagascar. During its first phase (2017-2023), the initiative supported 49 projects, helping protect 63 lemur species in priority conservation areas. With Phase II now officially underway, the initiative is scaling up its efforts to strengthen the long-term sustainability of lemur conservation efforts until 2029.

Eleven projects have been selected to receive large grants which will help support their essential work in protecting threatened lemur species, restoring habitats, engaging local communities, and advancing scientific research.

Bringing stakeholders together 

The launch event gathered a diverse group of actors, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, civil society organisations, multilateral organisations, and members of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, underscoring the critical role of multi-stakeholder cooperation in protecting Madagascar’s unique biodiversity.

During the event, government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional support for lemur conservation, recognising the crucial role of local communities in protecting these unique primates.

Rinah Razafindrabe, Director General of Environmental Governance, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development said: "Investing in the future of Madagascar and global biodiversity is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting this priceless treasure. It is our responsibility to combine our efforts, strengthen cooperation among all stakeholders, and ensure that every action, every initiative, has a real and lasting impact. Conservation must become a pillar of sustainable development, ensuring the preservation of our biodiversity while improving the living conditions of the populations that depend on it.

The projects of Phase II of the SOS Lemurs initiative, supported by major grants, are not merely conservation actions; they represent true accountability. This launch marks a decisive turning point in the fight for the preservation of lemurs and their habitat. Together, we reaffirm our commitments to our biodiversity. Together, we are rewriting the story of the protection of our national heritage, a symbol for us and future generations."

Sustainable conservation action

Beyond species protection, SOS Lemurs Phase II also aims to empower local communities through sustainable livelihood programs. By linking conservation with socio-economic development, the initiative seeks to ensure that efforts to protect lemurs also bring tangible benefits to the people who share their habitats.

Trevor Sandwith, Director, Centre for Species Conservation Action, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said “As one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots for the megadiversity of its endemic species, protecting Madagascar’s biodiversity is critical to global biodiversity health. IUCN’s decades of working with the Madagascan government, the Species Survival Commission as well as international and local partners has long supported civil society conservation action to protect lemurs, among the most threatened mammals on the planet. Building on the successful impacts of IUCN SOS Lemurs, the new phase of this initiative will continue to ensure that conservation efforts for lemurs and their habitats provide positive outcomes for Madagascar’s local and indigenous communities and ensure their equitable participation in conserving nature.”

Pr. Jonah Ratsimbazafy Regional Vice-Chair (Madagascar) of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Madagascar Species Specialist Group, President of the International Primatological Society and Secretary General of the Groupe d’étude et de recherche sur les primates (GERP) said: “Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a key role in Madagascar, operating in every region and working in areas such as education, health and conservation. In the face of growing poverty and deforestation, they turn challenges into concrete solutions, aligning human needs with environmental protection. The SOS Lemurs initiative amplifies the impact of CSOs by supporting projects focused on habitat restoration and community engagement.

Deforestation threatens our biodiversity, but committed and dedicated people on the ground are essential to the survival of lemurs. Conservation is a collective effort. By strengthening alliances with the government and international partners, Madagascar can become a model of resilience, where people and nature coexist in harmony.”

Looking ahead

With a renewed multi-year commitment, the next phase of SOS Lemurs promises to bolster conservation efforts, strengthen collaboration between stakeholders, and raise public awareness about the urgent need to protect lemurs.

As Madagascar continues to face challenges such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change, initiatives like SOS Lemurs remain critical in securing a future for one of the world’s most threatened group of primates.