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Petzl Foundation supports scientific explorations

2010, year of Biodiversity: It's also an opportunity for the Petzl Foundation to strengthen its links with the naturalist expeditions. Thus, in early January, a team of explorers and researchers is in part of Makay, little-known ruiniform massive of Madagascar, while scientific cavers have joined the Southern Hemisphere in a small Pacific island - Madre de Dios.

 
 
Exploring new horizons on earth or underground, browse the islands and return with samples and new discoveries ... in rain or tropical storms!
 
Petzl Foundation assists them in their adventures:
 
> Makay Nature, a naturalist exploration of the Makay's massive in Madagascar
 
  
 
This first scientific mission is conducted in the valleys of Makay, a natural labyrinth and true "safe" of biodiversity. It unites scores of people including French and Malagasy researchers from several institutions and universities. Biologists are accompanied by climbers and cavers, giving them secure access to remote inaccessible areas (canyons, walls and lakes). They will compile an inventory of biodiversity, while geologists and archaeologists are trying to unravel the mystery of erosion solid and caves decorated with cave paintings...
 
Madagascar is one of 11 Hot Spots that are top of all lists of priorities for biodiversity conservation. The study of the exceptional biodiversity of Makay is one of the target of Makay Nature, for getting the status of protected area.

For more information on expedition, see the logbook:  www.makaynature.org.

 
 
 
> Ultima Patagonia, a scientific caving expedition into the heart of Chilean Patagonia
 
 
 
Since 2000, expeditions were operated every two years, and each of them relate to new discoveries. To preserve this unique heritage, they are intended to register at the World Heritage of UNESCO. Undertaken in cooperation with the Government of Chile, this action is well underway.
 
For 2010, bicentenary of Chile (1810-2010), the international team of scientists and explorers has a common objective in Madre de Dios island: to set up a natural laboratory in serving science, with four main objectives:
- Exploration on sea, land and underground,
- Archaeological studies in pacific caves and shelters,
- Study exceptional paleontological site of the Whale cave,
- Installation of a cave-laboratory especially for the study of climate change.
 
 
This year Jeanne d'Arc, helicopter cruiser of the French Navy, continues its Pacific journey from Ushuaia and lead to Madre de Dios. It has appointment with the Ultima Patagonia team, to drop off all the expedition members, with a ton of material on four sites developed for implantation in inaccessible areas - and therefore unexplored.
 
Also, the French schools were invited to participate in tracking the expedition and follow the daily progress and adventures of cavers on the "logbook": www.centre-terre.fr