Madagascar, on the trail of the scent hunters | France 2 | Envoyé Spécial

It’s a first: all French athletes will set out for the Olympic Games with a flask of essential oils extracted from Madagascan plants. The object is to combat the effects of the pollution in Beijing. The virtues of Madagascan plants are sought after by the greatest of athletes as well as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.Set in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is rich in thousands of plants with precious fragrances and therapeutic properties that are unique in the world.We accompanied the expedition led by Xavier Ormancey, director of research at Chanel cosmetics. For ten years this scientist has been roaming the world looking for the plant that will act against the aging of the skin. In Madagascar he unearthed a vanilla with exceptional properties and he is on the trail of other treasures of the flora.On the island, a handful of passionate French scientists are seeking to pierce the secrets of the Madagascan forest. Olivier Behra is conducting an inventory of this natural treasure with his NGO “Man and the Environment”. Barbara Mathevon is fighting to preserve a biodiversity that is threatened by massive deforestation.How do these biologists find new plants? Why does this heritage risk going up in smoke? An investigation in the footsteps of the plant protectors and perfume hunters.