Survey and management proposals for a tropical deciduous forest reserve at Ankarana in Northern Madagascar

Abstract

A detailed survey was conducted of the fauna and flora of a Special Reserve in Madagascar. Ankarana is a dramatic limestone massif, dissected by canyons and caves that link areas of isolated forest, some of which have never been visited by man. A rich fauna of endemic Malagasy animals was discovered including only the third population known of the white-breasted mesite Mesitornis variegata, one sighting of the Madagascar fish eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides and at least six species of lemurs. Feeding damage provided evidence for the presence of two more lemurs, the aye-aye Daubentonia madagascariensis and the rare greater bamboo lemur Hapalemur simus. Detailed studies were conducted to ascertain the status of the mesite, crowned lemur Lemur coronatus and Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus populations in the reserve. Despite some formidable terrain, the most vital area of deciduous forest is easily accessible via an old logging trail. Forest clearance, poorly controlled grassland fires and free-ranging grazing of livestock are threatening Ankarana. We suggest some management proposals which involve upgrading the Special Reserve to a warden-controlled National Park. Funding could be provided, in part, by developing tourism in the less ecologically vulnerable southern half of the massif, where the scenery is dramatic and the caves are arguably among the most impressive in the world.