Embracing Diversity: Wildlife Madagascar Celebrates the Inaugural International Chameleon Day to Protect Nature's Masters of Disguise
09 Mayo 2024 - 7:01PM
Business Wire
Wildlife Madagascar proudly announces the inaugural
International Chameleon Day, to be celebrated annually on May 9th.
International Chameleon Day is a global initiative aimed at
honoring and raising awareness about one of the planet's most
unique and captivating reptiles—the chameleon. This special day
serves as a platform to highlight the remarkable diversity of
chameleon species, shed light on the significant challenges they
face in the wild and issue a chameleon call to action to inspire
conservation efforts on behalf of this unique reptile.
Chameleons, known for their ability to change color and their
distinctive features, are a vital component of various ecosystems,
particularly in Madagascar, where approximately half of world’s
chameleon species are found. Unfortunately, nearly 80 species of
chameleons are currently classified as threatened by the IUCN Red
List, facing various challenges such as habitat loss, climate
change and illegal trade.
This first celebration in 2024 aims to draw attention to these
issues and mobilize efforts to protect these remarkable reptiles
and their natural habitats. International Chameleon Day provides a
unique opportunity for individuals, conservation organizations and
communities worldwide to come together, share knowledge and take
action to safeguard the future of chameleons.
“We are thrilled to launch International Chameleon Day as a
platform to raise awareness about the conservation challenges
facing chameleons,” said Tojo “Lytah” Razafimahefa, Country
Director of Wildlife Madagascar. “By dedicating a day to celebrate
chameleons, Wildlife Madagascar hopes to inspire collective action
and advocacy to ensure the survival of these incredible
creatures.”
International Chameleon Day invites people to appreciate the
beauty and uniqueness of chameleons while encouraging a sense of
responsibility for their conservation and the preservation of their
habitats. Through these collective efforts, it is envisioned that
International Chameleon Day will contribute significantly to the
global mission of protecting these mesmerizing reptiles for
generations to come.
Wildlife Madagascar has developed a comprehensive educational
packet focused specifically on chameleons to engage and inspire
students around the world about these unique reptiles. The packet
includes interactive activities, fun worksheets, captivating
coloring sheets and informative fact sheets, all designed to
provide valuable insights into the world of chameleons. Available
in English, French and Malagasy, these resources can be downloaded
from the Wildlife Madagascar website at
www.wildlifemadagascar.org.
“International Chameleon Day serves as a powerful reminder of
the critical need for collaboration among the scientific,
conservation and education communities,” said Dr. Tim Eppley, Chief
Conservation Officer of Wildlife Madagascar. “By joining forces, we
can amplify our advocacy efforts and work toward a common goal of
protecting chameleons and their habitats. Together, we can inspire
greater awareness, foster a deeper understanding of these
incredible reptiles and drive meaningful action.”
The importance of this day and the work that the following
conservation organizations conduct to ensure a future for
chameleons and other reptiles can’t be understated. Joining
Wildlife Madagascar and the chameleon call to action are these
partners: Abraham Foundation, Aspinall Foundation, Association
Mitsinjo, Caméléon Center Conservation, Centre ValBio, Chester Zoo,
Conservation Fusion, Dublin Zoo, Duke Lemur Center, Frank Glaw of
the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in Munich (SNSB), Full
Forests at Montclair State University, Israel Nature and Parks
Authority, IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group, Lemur Conservation
Foundation, Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL), Lemur
Conservation Network, Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership,
Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG), Madagasikara Voakajy,
Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale at the Université
d’Antananarivo, Mikajy Natiora, Planet Madagascar, Sciences
Agronomiques & Environnementales at the Université
d’Antsiranana, Section of Herpetology at the National Museums of
Kenya, SEED Madagascar, The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied
Conservation, University of Cumbria, University of Hamburg,
University of Lomé, University of South Dakota, Vinako4Madagascar,
Wildlife Conservation Society-Madagascar, World Wide Fund for
Nature -Madagascar, Zoo Knoxville, Zoo Vienna and Zoo Zürich.
Wildlife Madagascar encourages everyone to join in on
International Chameleon Day and be a champion for reptile
conservation worldwide. Following are many ways that individuals
can make a meaningful difference for chameleons and other
reptiles.
- Take a stand for endangered chameleons by supporting one of the
organizations dedicated to their preservation, especially those
that work with local community efforts to conserve chameleons and
their natural habitats.
- Visit zoos to see these fascinating reptiles up close, and, if
possible, travel to places where you can see wild chameleons in
their natural habitats.
- Opt for responsible tourism with ecotours that showcase nature
through hikes and reptile- and bird-watching adventures.
- Explore your local nature park to learn about native reptiles
and compare them with the fascinating chameleons. Many natural
history museums have hiking programs and guided tours.
- Transform your yard into a reptile-friendly haven by planting
native plants and avoiding pesticides.
- Recognize that chameleons are delicate animals that can be
extremely challenging to successfully keep under human care and are
often heavily collected from the wild. As such, it is critically
important that hobbyists become well educated about the specific
demands of these animals, their legality and conservation status
and strive to follow legal, ethical and sustainable practices
related to their maintenance.
- Help spread the word about International Chameleon Day and
inspire family and friends to join the movement towards a
sustainable future for chameleons and other reptiles
everywhere.
For more information about International Chameleon Day and
Wildlife Madagascar's conservation initiatives, please visit
www.wildlifemadagascar.org/events.
#internationalchameleonday #chameleonday #showyourcolors
About Wildlife Madagascar
Wildlife Madagascar is dedicated to the preservation and
protection of Madagascar's unique biodiversity through a
multifaceted strategy and extensive collaborative efforts. Our
approach involves forming alliances with Malagasy communities to
develop sustainable conservation solutions that enhance both
environmental wellbeing and livelihoods. By fostering partnerships
among individuals, local organizations, non-profit entities and
government agencies, we strive to establish impactful programs that
bring about enduring change. Our overarching goal is to address
poverty alleviation while concurrently ensuring biodiversity
protection in some of the planet's most imperiled and irreplaceable
ecosystems. Visit wildlifemadagascar.org for more information.
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Wildlife Madagascar Jenny Mehlow 619-851-7341
jmehlow@wildlifemadagascar.org