Ambatovaky Reserve

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Ambatovaky Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) [1]
Madagascar location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Ambatovaky Reserve in Madagascar
Nearest city Soanierana Ivongo
Coordinates 16°0′S49°16′E / 16.000°S 49.267°E / -16.000; 49.267 Coordinates: 16°0′S49°16′E / 16.000°S 49.267°E / -16.000; 49.267
Area929.8 km2 (359.0 sq mi)
Established1956
Governing body Madagascar National Parks Association

Ambatovaky Reserve is a tropical rainforest and wildlife reserve in the north-east of Madagascar (65,000 hectares (160,000 acres)). It is designated by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area for the large number of endemic species of birds.

Contents

Geography

This remote reserve ranges from the north-east coast of Madagascar to the Analamerana karstic plateau with elevations to 1,185 metres (3,888 ft) in the Soanierana Ivongo District, Analanjirofo region. It is between the Marimbona river, which forms the southern border, and Simianona river which forms the northern border. The reserve headquarters are in Soanierana Ivongo and the park is only accessible by canoe along the Marimbona River. [2] [3]

Flora and fauna

The reserve is mainly covered by dense deciduous dry forest and is the last place for the critically endangered lemur, Perrier's sifaka (Propithecus perrieri). There are five other species of lemurs found on the reserve. Four have been given the conservation status of endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and one, the red-bellied lemur ( Eulemur rubriventer ) is a vulnerable species. The four endangered species are the aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ), Indri ( Indri indri ), Diademed sifaka ( Propithecus diadema ) and the black-and-white ruffed lemur ( Varecia variegata variegata ). Two carnivores the Malagasy or striped civet ( Fossa fossana ) and the fossa ( Cryptoprocta ferox ) are also vulnerable species. The above mammals are all endemic to Madagascar. [4]

The white-breasted mesite (Mesitornis variegata) is one of the fifty-five species of endemic birds found on the reserve, and is also one with a very restricted distribution, known from only six sites within the country. It is classified as vulnerable. [5] So far ninety-two species of birds have been recorded. [4] Other rare birds are Van Dam's vanga and the Madagascar pond heron. [3]

There are also many amphibians, reptiles and insects. Two species of butterflies on the reserve are Papilio mangoura and Amauris nossima ; both considered to be vulnerable species. [3] [4]

Related Research Articles

Sifaka Genus of lemur

A sifaka is a lemur of the genus Propithecus from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. The name of their family is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from endangered to critically endangered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemur</span> Clade of primates endemic to the island of Madagascar

Lemurs are wet-nosed mammals of the superfamily Lemuroidea, divided into 8 families and consisting of 15 genera and around 100 existing species. They are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Most existing lemurs are small, have a pointed snout, large eyes, and a long tail. They chiefly live in trees and are active at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar lowland forests</span> Ecoregion in Eastern Madagascar

The Madagascar lowland forests or Madagascar humid forests are a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion found on the eastern coast of the island of Madagascar, home to a plant and animal mix that is 80 to 90% endemic, with the forests of the eastern plain being a particularly important location of this endemism. They are included in the Global 200 list of outstanding ecoregions.

Madagascar dry deciduous forests Tropical dry forest ecoregion in Madagascar

The Madagascar dry deciduous forests represent a tropical dry forest ecoregion situated in the western and northern part of Madagascar. The area has high numbers of endemic plant and animal species but has suffered large-scale clearance for agriculture. They are among the world's richest and most distinctive dry forests and included in the Global 200 ecoregions by the World Wide Fund. The area is also home to distinctive limestone karst formations known as tsingy, including the World Heritage Site of Bemaraha.

Diademed sifaka Species of lemur

The diademed sifaka, or diademed simpona, is an endangered species of sifaka, one of the lemurs endemic to certain rainforests in eastern Madagascar. Along with the indri, this species is one of the two largest living lemurs, with an average weight of 6.5 kg and a total adult length of approximately 105 centimetres (41 inches), half of which is its tail. Russell Mittermeier, one of the contemporary authorities on lemurs, describes the diademed sifaka as "one of the most colorful and attractive of all the lemurs", having a long and silky coat. P. diadema is also known by the Malagasy names simpona, simpony and ankomba joby. The term "diademed sifaka" is also used as a group species designation formerly encompassing four distinct subspecies.

White-breasted mesite Species of bird

The white-breasted mesite is a ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar. One of three species in the mesite family, Mesitornithidae, it is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has a small population and is restricted to five sites in the north and west of the island, and one in the east.

Anjajavy Forest

The Anjajavy's Protected Area is located on a peninsula of the town of Antonibe, in the district of Analalava and in the north-west region of Madagascar. It is part of the Sofia region of the independent province of Mahajanga and its position is between 47°13’ at 44°22’ of longitude east and 14°58 at 15°07’ of latitude south..

In 2001, the Madagascar Ministry of Environment and Forests, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), launched a program to create the 372,470 ha Makira Forest Protected Area. Formally established in 2012, Makira Natural Park is one of the largest of Madagascar’s protected areas and encompasses 372,470 hectares of strictly protected forest buffered by more than 350,000 hectares of community-managed forests. The Makira Natural Park is managed by WCS on behalf of the Government of Madagascar under a delegated management contract.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coquerel's sifaka</span> Diurnal, medium-sized lemur

Coquerel's sifaka is a diurnal, medium-sized lemur of the sifaka genus Propithecus. It is native to northwest Madagascar. Coquerel's sifaka was once considered to be a subspecies of Verreaux's sifaka, but was eventually granted full species level, and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. In popular culture, it is known for being the species of the title character in the children's TV show Zoboomafoo. The species was named after French entomologist Charles Coquerel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-crowned sifaka</span> A medium-sized lemur with mostly white fur, prominent furry ears, and a golden-orange crown

The golden-crowned sifaka or Tattersall's sifaka is a medium-sized lemur characterized by mostly white fur, prominent furry ears, and a golden-orange crown. It is one of the smallest sifakas, weighing around 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) and measuring approximately 90 cm (35 in) from head to tail. Like all sifakas, it is a vertical clinger and leaper, and its diet includes mostly seeds and leaves. The golden-crowned sifaka is named after its discoverer, Ian Tattersall, who first spotted the species in 1974. However, it was not formally described until 1988, after a research team led by Elwyn L. Simons observed and captured some specimens for captive breeding. The golden-crowned sifaka most closely resembles the western forest sifakas of the P. verreauxi group, yet its karyotype suggests a closer relationship with the P. diadema group of eastern forest sifakas. Despite the similarities with both groups, more recent studies of its karyotype support its classification as a distinct species.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a 155 square kilometre protected area, located about 150 km east of Antananarivo, consisting principally of primary growth forest in Alaotra-Mangoro Region in eastern Madagascar. The park's elevation ranges from 800 to 1260 meters, with a humid climate. Average annual precipitation is 1700 mm, with rainfall on 210 days of each year. This rainforest is habitat to a vast species biodiversity, including many endemic rare species and endangered species, including 11 lemur species. The park's two component parts are Mantadia National Park and Analamazoatra Reserve, which is best known for its population of Madagascar's largest lemur, the indri.

Silky sifaka A large lemur from Madagascar

The silky sifaka is a large lemur characterized by long, silky, white fur. It has a very restricted range in northeastern Madagascar, where it is known locally as the simpona. It is one of the rarest mammals on Earth. The silky sifaka is one of nine sifaka species, and one of four former subspecies of diademed sifaka (P. diadema). Studies in 2004 and 2007 compared external proportions, genetics, and craniodental anatomy supporting full species status, which has generally been accepted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zahamena National Park</span>

Zahamena National Park is a national park of Madagascar. Established in 1997, it covers an area of 423 square kilometres (163.32 sq mi) out of a total protected area of 643 square kilometres (248.26 sq mi). It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rainforests of the Atsinanana, inscribed in 2007 and consisting of 13 specific areas located within eight national parks in the eastern part of Madagascar. In 2001, Bird Life International assessed avifauna of 112 species of which 67 species are exclusively endemic to Madagascar.

Analamerana Special Reserve is a 347 square kilometres (134 sq mi) wildlife reserve in the north of Madagascar. The reserve was created in 1956 to protect its endemic plants and animals, such as the critically endangered Perrier's sifaka, which is considered to be one of the most endangered primates in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andranomena Special Reserve</span>

Andranomena Special Reserve is a wildlife reserve in Menabe Region, western Madagascar, near the city of Morondava and the rural commune of Bemanonga.

Mangerivola Special Reserve is a wildlife reserve in the east of Madagascar. It was established in 1958 and is a hotspot for bird-watchers due to the one hundred species found there, including 63 endemics and many local endemics. There are also seven species of lemur and rare chameleons such as the Lance-nosed chameleon which is registered as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Maningoza Special Reserve is a 9,826 hectares wildlife reserve in Madagascar. It was created in 1956 to protect the many endemic plants and animals, and it also contains some of the last remaining areas of dry deciduous forest on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perrier's sifaka</span> Species of lemur

Perrier's sifaka is a lemur endemic to Madagascar. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of diademed sifaka It has a very small range in northeastern Madagascar where its habitat is dry deciduous or semihumid forest. Part of its range is in protected areas. It is an almost entirely black sifaka and measures about 90 cm (35 in), half of which is a bushy tail. Females are slightly larger than males.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milne-Edwards's sifaka</span> Species of lemur

Milne-Edwards's sifaka, or Milne-Edwards's simpona, is a large arboreal, diurnal lemur endemic to the eastern coastal rainforest of Madagascar. Milne-Edwards's sifaka is characterized by a black body with a light-colored "saddle" on the lower part of its back. It is closely related to the diademed sifaka, and was until recently considered a subspecies of it. Like all sifakas, it is a primate in the family Indriidae.

References

  1. UNEP-WCMC (2022). Protected Area Profile for Ambatovaky from the World Database on Protected Areas. Accessed 28 August 2022.
  2. "Ambatovaky". Wild Madagaskar. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Analamerana Special Reserve". Travel Madagascar. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ambatovaky Special Reserve". Birdlife International. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  5. "Mesitornis variegatus". IUCN. Retrieved 16 October 2016.