Montagne d’Ambre National Park, Category II
Madagascar National Parks (MNP)
30,538 ha
Province of Antsiranana; Region of Diana; District of Antsiranana II
Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site, Important Bird Area (IBA), Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)
Montagne d’Ambre National Park was created in 1958 with natural habitats made up of evergreen rainforests, transition forests, and crater lake which are all conservation targets of the national parks.
It is a rainforest islet located in a dry and hot tropical climate, in the northernmost part of Madagascar.
6 species
2 locally endemic, 1 endangered and 1 vulnerable 4 other species as endangered (including the nocturnal lemur Aye-aye)
102 species
1 critically endangered (the Madagascar eagle or Ankoay), 3 endangered (including the Malagasy grebe) and 3 vulnerable
66 species
11 locally endemic (6 being chameleons), among which 1 critically endangered and 1 vulnerable, both belonging to the Brookesia genus 2 other reptile species endangered and 10 vulnerable
33 species
6 locally endemic, among which 3 critically endangered and 2 endangered 1 other amphibians species classified critically endangered, 1 other endangered and 4 vulnerable
5 species
3 vulnerable (including the fosa and the Malagasy civet)
5 species
1 vulnerable (namely the Madagascar flying fox)
15 species
721 species
458 endemic to Madagascar (66%), among which 1 baobab species critically endangered, 2 flora species endangered and 5 other vulnerable 31 local endemic (5%) among which 2 critically endangered, 3 endangered and 1 vulnerable
Medium altitude evergreen rainforests, crater lakes, dry deciduous forest, semi-deciduous rainforest, secondary rainforest, secondary wet thickets, secondary grasslands and pastures, rupicolous forest patches, rivers. Some sites in the park are used for the "fomba" (tradition) ritual purposes by local communities; once the wishes have been granted, people return there to sacrifice different types of animals as an offering.
Slash-and-burn agriculture, over-exploitation of trees and non-timber forest products, bush fires, cultivation of qat (a euphorizing substance), lack of law enforcement and corruption.
The national park ensures the surrounding plain fertility, and protects the watersheds located in the lowlands (the area of irrigated land around Montagne d'Ambre is about 70,000 ha). It also provides water supply for agriculture and industry (JIRAMA, STAR, etc.), a source of income for the communities (local labor, permanent or seasonal staff, ecotourism guides, etc.), mainly through ecotourism. It serves as the main water reservoir for Diego Suarez city. Montagne d’Ambre National Park offers many tourist attractions with Diego Suarez port, which can receive big liners.
Like all protected areas managed by MNP, Montagne d'Ambre National Park is co-managed in a collaborative way, with the participation of local community members in conservation and development activities. They are brought together in CLPs (local park committee) and COSAPs (committee for the orientation and support of protected areas).
FAPBM's support to Montagne d'Ambre National Park started in 2019, covering salary expenses and some operating costs. It is one of the sites with a high tourist potential in the MNP protected area network. Its conservation status is generally good and remains stable despite the pressure on the park's precious woods.
