Dubai couple helps to pull endangered species back from brink

Most people's idea of a dream holiday would be lounging on a tropical beach, or visiting one of the world's exotic cities, but a Dubai couple will be spending their fortnight break tracking endangered species in Madagascar.

Dave Bolger and his wife Karri Zaremba will spend the next 14 days observing a colony of lemurs in the rainforests of the East African island as part of an international conservation project. Madagascar is home to around 40 species of lemurs, the smallest primates and one of the world's most endangered animals.

Dave and Karri will join 10 other couples who have volunteered to take part in an Earthwatch Institute expedition to save the Milne-Edwards sifaka, an endangered lemur.

Dr Pat Wright, a scientist, has spent 10 years on the island making the first long-term study of the species and the volunteers will follow one sifaka group and note its location, behaviour - such as nursing, playing, feeding and grooming - and label fruit trees in which they feed.

All the information will be added to Wright's growing database, which will form the foundation of a plan to protect the species from extinction. Dave, an Australian electrical angineer, said, "We were watching a programme on the Discovery Channel about Earthwatch and had a look at their website - www.earthwatch.org - and felt it would be a rewarding experience to take part in one of their projects.

"It's not the sort of thing we have done before, but if we can play a small part in helping save one of the most endangered species in the world from extinction then it will be time well spent." Dave and his American wife will be trekking through dense primary rainforest in the Ranomafana National Park and following the colony wherever it goes from dawn until dusk.

"It will be hard work, but should be a lot of fun as well," Dave said. Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organisation founded in Boston which involves the general public in supporting its 120 scientists at field research projects in over 50 countries.