Cyclone Damage in Madagascar
Update on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from Greg Dye, DLC Executive Director
Devastating damage at Parc Ivoloina following Cyclone Gezani making landfall at Toamasina/Tamatave on February 10, 2026.
Tropical Cyclone Gezani brought devastating winds and flooding to Madagascar when it made landfall in Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar on February 10. Striking with sustained winds of 115 mph, and arriving just 10 days after Cyclone Fytia hit the country’s west coast, the storm left widespread destruction in its path.
National authorities report that nearly 270,000 people have been affected, 16,000 displaced, and at least 40 lives lost. Our thoughts are with the communities facing unimaginable hardship during this time.
Our long-standing partners at the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) have reported severe damage at both Parc Ivoloina and the Betampona Research Station.
Impact to our Partners in Madagascar
The Duke Lemur Center (DLC) has been in close contact with our colleagues at the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG). Parc Ivoloina, where the MFG cares for populations of lemurs and tortoises, sustained severe damage.
We are grateful to share that all DLC staff in the SAVA region and Tamatave are safe, and staff at Parc Ivoloina are also unharmed. However, the damage to infrastructure is extensive:
- More than 30 animal enclosures destroyed or heavily damaged
- Significant damage to staff housing
- Loss of access to clean drinking water after the destruction of the park’s solar‑powered pump
- Food shortage for both animals and staff due to disrupted supply lines and tripled food prices
Animal Care and Welfare
According to Britt Keith, DLC Colony Curator, who collaborates closely with the Ivoloina team, no diurnal lemur deaths or injuries have been reported. One small nocturnal lemur was found deceased, though it’s unclear if it belonged to the park’s colony. Some animals temporarily escaped during the storm and all but four have returned. These four animals are probably being cautious after the trauma of the storm. Free‑ranging animals living around the zoo appear stable. All tortoises were moved to higher ground before the storm and are safe.
Many MFG staff have lost their homes, yet they have continued caring for the animals. Several team members are now being housed in training‑center dormitories on site.
How the Duke Lemur Center is Responding
To support urgent needs on the ground, the DLC has already provided a $5,000 emergency gift from the DLC Madagascar Programs Fund, and a DLC donor has come forward to provide $12,000 to replace Parc Ivoloina’s critically needed solar-powered water pump that was destroyed by the storm.
How You Can Help
The DLC has created a dedicated channel for anyone wishing to help Parc Ivoloina recover and rebuild.
Your support will directly assist with:
- Rebuilding animal enclosures and staff housing
- Restoring access to clean water
- Securing food supplies for animals and caregivers
- Ensuring continuity of conservation and community programs
Donate Online
Your gift will be promptly directed to cyclone relief at Parc Ivoloina:
Note: This link above is embedded with a special code to designate the gift specifically to cyclone relief.
Or, Donate by Check
Please make checks payable to “Duke University” with “Madagascar Cyclone” in the memo line and mail it to:
Parc Ivoloina Recovery
c/o Mary Paisley
Duke Lemur Center
3705 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27705
Questions? Email Mary Paisley, Development Director, at mary.paisley@duke.edu.
