Save the Joba Mena : investigation in Madagascar

Based on a true story, the international investigation that began in November 2012 at the London Zoo, the exhibition takes visitors from London to Madagascar, offering a thrilling tale that is also an extraordinary human adventure between scientists, aquarists, and the inhabitants of the Red Island.

During this three-week expedition, the team traveled miles of roads and inspected seven rivers to find a female Joba Mena, with the sole purpose of establishing a backup population that could potentially save this critically endangered species.

In an immersive, playful exhibition styled like an adventure comic, visitors are invited to join this rescue mission alongside Brian Zimmerman, curator of the London Zoo Aquarium and the initiator of this adventure.

Accessible to all, the educational path retraces the true story of this international mission led by a team of scientists and enthusiasts. The visit encourages reflection, for both young and old, on biodiversity loss, humanity’s role in the ecosystem, and the complexity of human-environment interactions.

Step into a comic-book adventure created by artist Singeon and follow the team on their investigation. Their mission ? Save the Joba Mena !

This critically endangered freshwater fish from Madagascar now has only three males and one female in captivity. Fearing the species’ permanent extinction, these remaining four individuals are key to its survival. Unfortunately, the loss of the only female seemed to signal the end for the Joba Mena. In a desperate rescue attempt, a team of scientists and enthusiasts embarks on a globally impactful investigation along a remote river in Madagascar.

From London to Madagascar

Welcome to Brian Zimmerman’s office, curator of the London Zoo Aquarium, to meet the Joba Mena (Ptychochromis insolitus), a Malagasy fish species presumed extinct at the heart of the story. Discouraged by unsuccessful research, Zimmerman is unsure of the next step. Hope arises thanks to the idea of a communications specialist: launch a major awareness campaign to locate the Joba Mena.

You then fly 11 hours to Antananarivo. On the plane, you meet part of the team heading to Madagascar, and on the tarmac, you are introduced to Malagasy specialists and witness the preparations for a field expedition. What awaits? Exploration of no fewer than seven rivers over three weeks, with a precise protocol for observations and measurements at each site: location, date, time, fish, plants, water quality...

The expedition along the river where the Joba Mena may live allows visitors to understand human-environment interactions, illustrated by deforestation, invasive species, and river drying.

How can we act in the face of environmental degradation? What solutions can be implemented for a sustainable future? At the end of the exhibition, keys for reflection, inspiration, and hope are provided to help humans find or reclaim their place in nature.

Charles-Edouard Fusari
Directeur de l’Aquarium tropical

Brian Zimmerman
Directeur science et conservation au Zoo de Bristol

Comité scientifique :
Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka, biologiste malgache, Madagasikara Voakajy.
Tsilavina Ravelomanana, ichtyologiste à l'Université d’Antananarivo.
Bernard Moizo, socio-anthropologue à l'IRD.

To highlight the key role of the Tropical Aquarium in conservation, awareness, and biodiversity protection, Palais de la Porte Dorée dedicated an exhibition to this major international project, actively supported by Charles-Edouard Fusari, Aquarium Director and General Curator of this exhibition.

Learn more about Fish Net Madagascar