In July 2023 we had the most Aye Aye viewings we ever had in a month, which came with great excitement for camp and guests.
Part of our success was having some new equipment:
This season we started using an Axion Thermal Imaging Monocular, which detects heat signatures. The camera is effective in total darkness or daylight and can see through obstructions such as rain and fog.
The wildlife enthusiasts amongst you will know why we are so excited to see Aye Aye more regularly. Read below how our manager Manny experienced the sighting which he states as “a 10/10 life moment”.
“They’re rare. They’re endangered. And on top of that, they’re particularly elusive” writes MFL manager Manny and adds “I’m still shaking. This is our 4th sighting in the past month, so maybe we have a new resident aye-aye in our midst. Who knows. Might be too soon to tell but glad one is entertaining the idea of joining us here at the lodge!
The aye-aye is one of the most fascinating and unique creatures on the planet. A rarity. One of Madagascar’s flagship species. Alongside one of our incredible guides, Felix, and 2 of our guests, we laid our eyes on it under a moonlit sky in a tree near one of the bungalows. An incredible sight to behold.
There it all was.
The prominent black ears. The distinctive bushy tail. The slender, elongated middle finger dug away for food. Snacking away. He didn’t seem to mind our presence at all. He was focused only on dinner, foraging for bugs and other critters within the trunk of the tree.
Safe to say, my jaw was practically on the forest floor – I couldn’t believe I was seeing an aye-aye with my own 2 eyes.
A 10/10 life moment I’ll never ever forget.”
