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Staff
in USA
The Madagascar Fauna Group is coordinated through
the St.
Louis Zoo.
 Dr. Jeffrey Bonner
MFG Chair |
 Ingrid Porton
MFG Vice-Chair |
Staff
in Madagascar
 Dr. Karen Freeman
Programme Manager, Parc Ivoloina and Betampona Reserve
Karen is a person who combines an adventuresome spirit, a deep commitment to conservation, extensive field experience, an open and friendly demeanor, with a strong work ethic with graduate school training in conservation biology and research. Dr. Freeman moved to Mauritus and spent five years involved in conservation issues. Interested in obtaining additional skills that would help her develop a holistic conservation strategy, Karen obtained her PhD from the University of London.
 Bernard Iambana
Chef du Parc, Parc Ivoloina
Bernard Iambana is a university-trained botanist and the MFG's Chef du Parc for the Parc Ivoloina Zoo and oversees the work at the Betampona Reserve. Iambana was born and reared in Madagascar. He has worked in Betampona since 1997. He oversees the Conservation Agents and is responsible for collecting data on the released lemurs, other animals, and the ecology of the forest. He has a Diplome d'Etude Superieur (the equivalent of a Master's degree) based on studying the seasonal changes of key lemur food trees.
 Gareth Kett
Ivoloina Forest Manager
Gareth earned a BS in Rural Resource Management from University of Plymouth, Devon. In addition to his field experience, Gareth has an enormous amount of practical experience – he grew up on a farm where he helped his parents, both of whom are veterinarians, cared for livestock, built barns and houses, and repaired a variety of equipment. He has lived in Bolivia, Montana, and Africa in addition to his native England. Gareth most recently worked for 2 ½ years as a biologist and warden on Mauritius.
 Chryjocelyne Raharivololona Zafilaza
Office and Communications Manager
Previously experienced working for the MFG as office administrative secretary, Jocelyne is responsible for MFG Representation. Jocelyne has excellent political skills and works with local authorities as well as non-governmental organizations to keep the MFG connected with community leaders and other environmental program operators.
 Claude TsatsaIvoloina Parc Administration and Finance Manager
Claude was born and raised in Sahambala, a village just outside the Betampona Reserve. Claude finished his school education in 1985 at the Tsarahofana College in Tamatave. He began his career as a forestry agent for the Ministry of Water and Forests in 1990, involved even back then with the reserve at Betampona and the Forestry Station of Ivoloina. After working alongside MFG for a number of years in this role, Claude was officially made one of the MFG team in 1999 when he started work as the Parc's Assisitant Manager. Claude's role in the organisation developed quickly and in 2000 he was made manager of all administrative and financial affairs for the zoo; an enormous task but one that Claude is coping with superbly. In 2002 Claude attended a 6 month part time course on account keeping at the School of Professional Training in Tamatave to help him manage the zoo finances. Claude is also responsible for all zoo merchandising and arranging the staff rotas, holidays and most importantly salaries! Claude lives in Antsampanana, the village just before Ivoloina, with his wife and 13 year old son.
Staff in U.S.A.
 Andrea Katz
Technical Advisor
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 Charlie Welch
Technical Advisor |
The
husband and wife team of Andrea
Katz and Charlie Welch
lived and worked in Madagascar for over 14 years. Together,
they managed the Madagascar Fauna Group's programs at Parc
Ivoloina and Betampona. They also hold staff positions at
the Duke University Primate Center where Katz is Staff Specialist
for Madagascar Programs and Welch is a Research Scientist.
Although
formally trained in zoology, the collective experience of
Katz and Welch is much broader. They developed and implemented
the MFG's programs at Parc Ivoloina and the Betampona Reserve including captive
breeding, ecotourism, environmental education, and lemur
reintroduction. They also managed personnel and budgets,
wrote grants, prepared scientific papers, made presentations,
and represented the MFG in negotiations with the Malagasy
government. Much of the MFG's success is attributable to
their persistence, dedication and expertise.
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