On Tuesday, the World Bank announced a $52-million ecodiversity loan to Madagascar, the troubled east-African island nation. Political unrest has gravely threatened Madagascar’s natural resources, allowing illegal logging and poaching to explode. Madagascar is , and is the only place on earth where ring-tailed lemurs and dozens of insect species are found in the wild. The United States and other multinational organizations believe the Malagasy government to be illegitimate, following a 2009 coup that removed democratic leaders from power. As a result, international donors have largely halted economic aid to the country, a decision which is wildely blamed for . The bank says it is not reversing course on that policy. The aid package will be welcome news to conservationists, but is likely to attract criticism on grounds.
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