Beanka - Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar

Manager

Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar (BCM)

Surface area

17,000 ha

Geographic Location

Province of Mahajanga; Region of Melaky; Districts Maintirano and Morafenobe

International label

Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)

Flagship Species

It is a low altitude forest block developing mainly on limestone formations of the Middle Jurassic. Two large rivers stimulating a great diversity of plant formations, a dense ground vegetation and sparser on the tsingy, run through the protected area. Biological inventory work is still in progress and attracts many researchers due to the large variety of habitats in the protected area.

More than 238 species of plants have been recorded in this protected area distributed in more than 75 families.

The fauna is composed of 10 species of lemur, 62 species of bird including the endemic species of the region: Mentocrex beankaensis, and 44 species of reptile.

Lemurs

10 species

2 critically endangered, 3 endangered (including the Aye-aye nocturnal lemur) and 4 vulnerable

Birds

62 species

1 classified as endangered and 1 endemic of the region (Mentocrex beankaensis)

Reptiles

44 species

3 endangered and 6 vulnerable

Amphibians

16 species

1 critically endangered, 2 endangered and 1 as vulnerable

Carnivorans

3 species

1 vulnerable, namely the fossa

Bats

12 species

2 vulnerable, namely the Madagascar flying fox

Other mammals

9 species

Plants

238 species

48 endemics of Madagascar among which 1 species critically endangered, 2 endangered and 4 vulnerable
3 local endemics including 1 species of Aloe critically endangered and 1 species of pandanus endangered on the IUCN Red List

Landscapes and habitats

Limestone massif - tsingy, moist semideciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, low thicket.

Pressures and threats

Uncontrolled harvesting of forest resources, bush fires, hunting and poaching.

Economic value

The protected area is a large water reservoir that supplies water to the cultivated fields as far as the great plains of Maintirano. The forests are essential for the villagers by providing them with various medicinal plants, but they also serve as shelter for the herds of zebus in case of an attack by the Dahalo (large-scale crime).

Local communities'initiatives

The collaborativetype of protected area in Beanka is still in its infancy. Patrols are carried out by rangers from the local communities, BCM agents, and the manager of the protected area. Local associations are beginning to join the formal sector in order to receive support from the manager.

Do you know...?

It is the northern part of the Tsingy of Bemaraha, less famous but contains a very rich biodiversity and great cultural values (Ampanjaka Sakalava Caves).In this region of Melaky, insecurity is the greatest challenge in the implementation of conservation activities in the protected area and the development of local communities.

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