Research Summary
Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar — Madagascar’s lemurs are famous the world over, but their rare predator the fosa remains a mystery. One of the most ferocious predators on Earth, the cat-like fosa is actually a large relative of the civets. Seven of the eight civet-like carnivores that stalk Madagascar's forests are found nowhere else in the world. The habits and population status of many civets are virtually unknown. Dr. Luke Dollar and Rahajanirina Léon Pierrot, working with veterinarian Dr. Julie Pomerantz, are monitoring carnivore populations in these remarkable forests. Their research – and your help – comes in the nick of time, as deforestation and hunting threatens many of these unique mammals and their habitats.
“The battle to save species like the fosa — which has less than 7% of its original habitat remaining — has to be fought where they live. The difference between Earthwatch and other organizations, and the reason we’re able to make a difference for these animals, is that Earthwatch puts boots on the ground where they matter most.”--Dr. Luke Dollar
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Luke Dollar
Duke University
"For the past nine years, Earthwatch volunteers helped us study the enigmatic carnivore of the Red Island, the fosa. The fosa is the top predator of the Malagasy food chain, but we know so little about it that scientists still argue about how few of these extraordinary predators remain. With its cat-like weaponry and the tenacity of a mongoose, it is certain that the fosa is one of the most capable mammalian predators on Earth. Join us in this adventure to learn as much as possible about the fosa, to protect it and its ecosystem."
Dr. Julie Pomerantz
Duke University
Dr. Pomerantz is a field veterinarian and epidemiological researcher and will specifically focus on the diseases of the Madagascar fauna during this project. Her research specialties include veterinary medicine, epidemiology, field laboratory techniques, anesthetization and surgery. During the expeditions she will be responsible for the collection of parasite samples and serological surveys to determine the incidence of several infectious diseases among the domestic and endemic carnivore populations. Dr. Pomerantz, a 1999 Carnivores of Madagascar Earthwatch volunteer herself, has been the project’s fosa veterinarian every year since 2000. A small animal veterinarian in Manhattan, she takes three months a year away from her busy practice to pursue the science and preservation of carnivores in Madagascar.
Rahajanirina Léon Pierrot
Adjunct Professor of Biology, Pfeiffer University
Rahajanirina Léon Pierrot received his D.E.A. for his work on fosa in Ankarafantsika. He teaches a class on conservation biology at Pfeiffer University in conjunction with Dr. Dollar. He has worked with the Fosa Research Team since 1998 and has been Field Director and Chief of Staff for the project since 2003.