Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka facts for kids

Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka is a scientist from Madagascar. She is a conservation biologist, which means she studies how to protect nature and its living things. Since 2011, she has been the director of Madagasikara Voakajy. This is a special group that works to protect animals and plants in Eastern Madagascar. Before that, from 2004 to 2007, she studied bats. In 2015, she won a big award called the Young Women in Conservation Award.

About Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka

Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka first became interested in protecting nature when she was 13 years old. She was camping at Andasibe National Park. There, she saw Indri lemurs. She remembers loving the sound of the Indri's song. This experience truly inspired her. It stayed with her as she continued her education.

She started working with Madagasikara Voakajy in 2003. This was when she was an intern. At the time, she was studying at the University of Antananarivo. She was in the Department of Water and Forests. During her studies, she traveled to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. There, she studied a type of bat called Triaenops menamena. This bat species is only found in Madagascar.

Later, she earned a Master of Science degree. This degree was in Applied Ecology and Conservation. She got it from the University of East Anglia. Julie continued to advance at Madagasikara Voakajy. She became a project leader, then a project manager. Finally, in 2011, she became the director of the organization.

As director, she helps make agreements. These agreements are between the government, businesses, and local communities. Their goal is to create protected areas. These areas are managed by local people. They also help protect animals that are in danger of disappearing. As part of her work, she visits local villages. She teaches people about conservation efforts. She especially focuses on how women can help protect nature in their communities.

Julie believes that people in Madagascar want to protect their country's amazing wildlife. She says that many people feel unsure if it's possible. That's why groups like Madagasikara Voakajy are so important. They step up to inspire people. They show that protecting nature is truly possible.

Awards and Recognition

Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka has received many awards. In 2007, she was recognized by the UK Government. This happened while she was at the University of East Anglia. They saw her as one of Madagascar's most promising conservation scientists. She received money to help pay for her Master's degree. This funding came from the Darwin Initiative grant.

In 2011, Julie was chosen for the Kinship Conservation Fellows program. Here, she continued her work. She focused on the careful trade of unique species from western Madagascar. In 2014, she won the Marsh Award for Terrestrial Conservation Leadership. Then, in August 2015, she received a very special award. It was the Young Women Conservation Biology Award. This award came from the Society for Conservation Biology.

She has also been invited to speak at important events. One example is the Bat Summit in Kenya. This event was organized by Bat Conservation International.

See also

• Conservation in Madagascar