Natural Resource Reserve, Category VI
The Peregrine Fund
75 163 ha
Diégo Province; Sofia and Diana Regions; Bealanana and Ambanja Districts
The Protected Area of Mahimborondro is characterised by a dense evergreen forest over almost half its area. Three plant species are known only from Mahimborondro. The site is also home to a rich, rare, threatened animal biodiversity, including the Madagascar red owl, classified as a vulnerable species, or the chameleon Calumma hafahafa, considered as a critically endangered species.
7 species
1 endangered (the nocturnal lemur Aye-aye) and 3 vulnerable (e.g., brown lemur)
83 species
3 endangered (e.g., Madagascar grebe) and 4 vulnerable (e.g., Madagascar red owl)
27 species
1 chameleon species critically endangered and 2 other species vulnerable
23 species
1 endangered and 1 vulnerable
2 species
1 vulnerable (the fosa)
7 species
121 species
97 species endemic to Madagascar, including at least 4 endangered species, and 3 locally endemic species
Mid-altitude dense humid evergreen forest, mountain ericaceous scrub, grasslands and secondary pastures, marshes
Selective logging, exploitation of forest products for commercial or domestic purposes, deforestation, fires, informal mining
The Mahimborondro PA is an important water reservoir for the surrounding watersheds and feeds the main rivers in the region, thus playing a crucial role in agriculture and livestock (especially for rice cultivation).
In terms of management, TPF works closely with local communities, particularly the VOIs located in and around the PA. Conservation activities such as patrols, participatory ecological monitoring, and the monitoring and surveillance of forest product collection engage local communities. They also contribute to ecological restoration and reforestation activities through the VOIs or Vondron’Olona Ifotony, as well as the implementation of sub-projects aimed at improving their living conditions while preserving the biodiversity of the PA.
The financial support from the FAPBM to the new Mahimborondro protected area began in 2024. The allocated funding ensures the implementation of conservation activities (inventory and research work, restoration activities, and conservation infrastructure development), support to communities, and covers part of the salary and operational costs of the management unit.
