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

Manager

Madagascar National Parks (MNP)

Surface area

18,225 ha

Geographical location

Province of Antsiranana; Region of Diana; District of Ambilobe

International label

Key area for biodiversity, Important Bird Conservation Area (ZICO)

Flagship Species

The Ankarana Special Reserve was created in 1956. It is home to ecosystems complex made up of dry decidious forests, Tsingy, dry and wet caves, canyons, underground networks, savannas, sinkholes and lakes.

The Ankarana Special Reserve is rich in biodiversity, among which the most characteristic are xerophytic plants on limestone rocks (Euphorbia ankarensis, Tacca ankarensis), cave species (17 bats species including Eidolon dupreanum), aquatic species (Glossogobius ankarensis) and lemurs (Lepilemur ankaranensis and Microcebus tavaratra).

Lemurs

10 species

1 critically endangered, 6 endangered (including the nocturnal lemur Aye-aye and the Ankarana lemur) and 2 vulnerable

Birds

113 species

1 critically endangered (the Madagascar eagle or ankoay), 4 endangered (including the Malagasy grebe) and 6 as vulnerable (including the Malagasy prickly pear)

Reptiles

50 species

8 local endemic among which 2 endangered; 2 other species endangered and 6 vulnerable

Amphibians

15 species

2 local endemic endangered; 1 other species endangered

Carnivores

5 species

3 vulnerable, including the fossa and the Malagasy civet

Bats

17 species

4 vulnerable

6 species

Plants

670 species

505 endemic to Madagascar (77%): 1 species of baobab classified critically endangered (Adansonia perrieri); 5 flora species endangered and 3 as vulnerable
39 local endemic (6%), 4 critically endangered, 1 endangered and 2 vulnerable

Landscapes and habitats

Karst massif - tsingy, caves and canyons, moist semi-deciduous forest, bamboo secondary thicket, dry dense forest, secondary grasslands and pastures, rupicolous forest, lakes.
Particularity: a cave served as a tomb for the Antakarana royal family, ceremonies and festivals are held there periodically.

Pressures and threats

Sapphire exploitation, forest products exploitation, illicit logging, fires, invasive species.

Economic value

Development, maintenance and biodiversity retention activities supply the local population losses by employing local labor. Ecotourism multiplies the promising sectors and income sources for the population, part of the DEAP allows the local community to benefit from microprojects and income-generating activities (IGA).

Local communities'initiatives

Like all protected areas managed by MNP, the management of Ankarana Special Reserve is a collaborative co-management with the participation of local communities’ members in conservation and development activities. They are brought together in the CLP (local park committee) and COSAP (protected areas guidance and support committee).

Category