Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, Category II
Madagascar National Parks
202,525 ha
Province of Toliara; Region of Atsimo Andrefana; Districts Ampanihy et Betioky Atsimo
Biosphere Reserve, RAMSAR site, Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), Important Bird Area (IBA), Plant Conservation Priority Area (PCPA)
The Tsimanampetsotsa National Park consists of a spiny forest on the Mahafaly limestone plateau, a salt lake and several caves and avens.
The national park is considered a wetland of international importance, among the migration sites of flamingos and other water birds on the island.
The national park is best known as the home to the radiated turtoises (Astrochelys radiata).
8 species
1 critically endangered (namely the sifaka) and 2 endangered (including the Maki)
124 species
2 endangered (including the Malagasy grebe) and 2 vulnerable
53 species
2 locally endemic, 1 of which is endangered; 2 species of turtles are critically endangered and 4 other reptile species are vulnerable
4 species
3 species
1 local endemic species endangered and 1 other species vulnerable, namely the fosa
9 species
1 vulnerable
9 species
222 species
180 endemic to Madagascar (81%): 2 critically endangered and 2 endangered, 5 endemic local
Salt lake, dry spiny thicket, dry littoral spiny thicket (low xerophilic thicket), dry decidous forest, riparian forest, marshes, degraded xerophilic thicket, secondary thickets, caves and avens connected by a network of underground rivers.
Exploitation of radiated tortoises for local consumption and illegal traffic, selective logging of forest trees for timber, bush fires, land clearing, etc.
It is a tourist site for nature discovery and especially for the culture of the region (Mahafaly). However, the number of visitors is not yet important to date.
As with all protected areas managed by MNP, the management of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is collaborative co-management with the participation of local community members in conservation and development activities. They are grouped in the CLP (local park committee) and the COSAP (orientation and support committee for protected areas).
The FAPBM's support for the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park began in 2007 with the establishment of the German Government's Sinking Fund. Poaching of tortoises and lemurs, as well as fires are the main pressures on the park. The conservation status of the National Park's conservation targets is not strongly impacted by these pressures. Nevertheless, it could be weakened with the increase in the number of fire points in the region these past few years.
