In July 2017, I will be going on an expedition to Madagascar as a volunteer research assistant to study the island's biodiversity and conservation management. Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island but only 10% of original Madagascan forest coverage remains which is why urgent conservation is needed.

Every native, terrestrial mammal species found on this island is endemic, and found nowhere else on Earth! Lemurs are one of the most endangered group of vertebrates in the world, with 94 species, out of 103, being classified as threatened with extinction. At least 17 species of lemur have become extinct since man arrived on Madagascar. Madagascar has sadly already lost 90% of its original forest cover due to deforestation for agriculture and charcoal production and this has put increased pressure on all of the endangered species who live here.

This 4 week long expedition has the first 3 weeks gaining in-depth knowledge of Madagascar's wildlife, culture and biodiversity. This entails the surveying of a variety of different species such as lemurs, crocodiles and chameleons. The final week will be spent on the island of Nosy Be where I will be diving within unstudied coral reef systems to gather an understanding of surveying reefs.

The £2,250 expedition fee, I hope to fundraise, goes directly to Operation Wallacea to help with research and conservation in remote locations across the world. Some of Operation Wallacea's achievements include the discovery of 30 new species and a further 3 species thought to be extinct. With your help, Madagascar's biodiversity can be further researched and restored.

Madagascar and I thank you for supporting this expedition!