Conservation Geography is beginning work on a collaborative project with the International Program of The Peregrine Fund related to the protection of the Madagascar Fish Eagle. The Fish Eagle is endemic to the island of Madagascar and is one of the most endangered raptors in the world with less than 100 breeding pairs. The species was thought to be extinct for many years until the 1980’s when field surveys located 40 pairs in the wild. The birds are found along the coast and around inland water bodies where they dive for fish. Hunting and habitat loss contributed to the demise of the birds and continue to threaten the survival of the species.

Conservation Geography, working with biologists at The Peregrine Fund, will model and map suitable habitat for the Fish Eagle based on satellite imagery of the Madagascar coast. The results of this analysis will be used by The Peregrine Fund to develop a conservation strategy for protection of this endangered species and its wetland habitat.