About us

A word from the President

“My name is Delphine ROULLET.
I’m a primatologist and ethologist, and have been in charge of primates at the Parc Zoologique de Paris for nearly twenty years.

I first informally managed the European captive population of large hapalemurs before becoming the Coordinator of the European Breeding Program (EEP) for this species in 2007.

The first greater bamboo lemur arrived in Europe in 1987. Over the next 20 years, techniques for breeding the species in captivity were developed, but paradoxically, no action was taken to protect the great hapalemurs in Madagascar.

The creation of the EEP marked a turning point. In 2008, I traveled to Madagascar twice to meet local stakeholders in the conservation of the greater bamboo lemur. The observation was then dramatic: classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the species only numbered around a hundred individuals, which made it the most threatened lemur on the island! My discussions with the Malagasy representatives therefore pushed me to engage the EEP in an active conservation approach and a few months later, thanks to the financial assistance of some of its members and associations for the protection of endangered species. , the EEP launched its first conservation actions on the ground.

The idea of ​​creating an association to respond to the urgency of the situation and raise funds to protect the species in Madagascar began to germinate. In 2009, after several months of work and reflection, Helpsimus finally saw the light of day.

Today, thanks to its members and partners, Helpsimus finances the “Bamboo lemur” Program which protects a population of greater bamboo lemurs discovered in the south-east of Madagascar in 2008 and now made up of nearly 450 individuals. It operates on the outskirts of the Ranomafana National Park, in an unprotected and highly anthropized area. Helpsimus not only ensures the scientific monitoring of the animals, but also finances the education of the children of the 5 Fokontany (smallest administrative district in Madagascar) located in the immediate vicinity of the habitat of the greater bamboo lemurs. Helpsimus also works alongside villagers to help them implement sustainable development actions that respect the environment.

The work of Helpsimus and its partners has made it possible to downgrade the greater bamboo lemur from the list of the 25 most endangered primates in the world. But the species is not out of the woods yet, as the clearing of its habitat continues to threaten its survival in the medium term. This is why the greater bamboo lemur needs you. By becoming a member of Helpsimus, you directly contribute to its preservation in Madagascar, as well as to the sustainable development of the Fokontany of Vohitrarivo, Ambodimanga, Ambohipo, Volotora and Sahofika. »