A global approach to the conservation of the world's largest chameleon

To better protect Parson's chameleons, we have launched an unprecedented scientific monitoring programme right in the heart of their natural forest habitat in Madagascar. Five adults (two males and three females) are now equipped with extremely lightweight miniature harnesses containing a VHF transmitter and environmental sensors, in accordance with a protocol approved by scientific and ethical committees.

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Each animal was carefully captured, examined and then immediately released at the exact location where it was found, in order to minimise any disturbance and allow it to quickly resume its natural behaviour.

 

Since then, field teams made up of students from the University of Tulear have been tracking these chameleons on a daily basis and collecting valuable information: their movements, the microclimatic conditions they encounter, the habitats they use and their behaviour throughout the seasons.

 

This unique data will provide a concrete understanding of how this species lives in the wild and directly improve conservation strategies.

 

Here we share with you the first maps produced from this tracking: below you can see the actual movements of each of the chameleons being tracked.