INAUGURATION OF THE INSECTARIUM ZA BIBIKELY BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Inauguration ceremony of the Insectarium ZA BIBIKELY Botanical Garden: A public-private partnership between the University of Antananarivo, including the entomology department and the NGO Za Bibikely, to promote entomology and environmental awareness in Madagascar” It all started with the collection of various insects, such as the voangory “Valala” and Jorery, who were gathered in matchboxes to form an insectarium.

This project took shape after a visit to one of Europe’s largest insectariums, called Hexapoda and located in Waremme, Belgium. Following exchanges with entomologists, including Professor Doyen Frédéric Francis and our entomologists from the University of Antananarivo, and after consultation with the Havoana Land team, it was decided to start the NGO Za Bibikely as a Havoana Land CSR project. Two years later, Havoana Land made available to the project a 550m2 land area as well as standard laboratory equipment for Master II students.

After a year of work, today we can admire a botanical garden, a pollinator garden, aviary and of course our 200m2 insectarium equipped with a research laboratory and a breeding room. Our goals are to showcase our insects and their natural habitat, promote, raise awareness and educate students and the general public so that they can discover the world of entomology in Madagascar. Concerned about the environment, Za Bibikely will implement various projects to raise awareness among students. First, we will organise visits as well as open days once or twice a month, starting with the schools at the surrounding municipality level, then in the long run, we will target the public and private schools in the capital.

Next we will be putting up plays that will be produced and performed in schools to raise awareness for students and parents. Finally, we will be looking for funding, grants and even donations to ensure the continuity of our project. In partnership with the University of Antananarivo, including the Entomology Department, we have been welcoming Master students for two years now for their research. We cover their trip through a monthly scholarship, as well as their access to the internet and the research lab. We are also collaborating with various local communities to collect our stumps including Ambohidray on Moramanga road and Maroantsetra with CPALI team.