Vertebrate conservation in Ankarana special reserve, Northern Madagascar

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 83 - 110
• Main Authors: Hawkins, A.F.A., Chapman, P., Ganzhorn, J.U., Bloxam, Q.M.C., Barlow, S.C., Tonge, S.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1990; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nature reserve; Malagasy Republic; Vertebrata; Endemic species; Animal conservation; Africa
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-3207(90)90136-D

The Ankarana Massif is a ‘Réserve Spéciale’ of 18 220 ha in northern Madagascar, containing a wide range of biotopes including pinnacle karst, dry wester forest, semi-evergreen canopy forest, savannah, caves and riverside vegetation. This paper clarifies the conservation status of the reserve and the status of some of the rare endemic species found there. The taxa considered include: crowned lemur Lemur coronatus, Sanford's lemur Lemur fulvus sanfordi, white-breasted mesite Mesotornis variegata, and several species of locally endemic reptiles. A small area of semi-evergreen forest in the centre of the reserve holds one of the highest densities of primates known, as well as a population of white-breasted mesites (otherwise known only from two sites worldwide), and six locally endemic and seven regionally endemic species of reptiles. Data from the ‘Réserve Spéciale’ of Analamera, situated 20 km to the north-east, is also presented. Important taxa found there include Van Dam's vanga Xenopirostris damii and Perrier's black sifaka Propithecus diadema perrieri. Both reserves are under threat, from burning, cattle-grazing and commercial forestry. Recommendations for increased protection include marking of reserve boundaries, increased wardening, and provision of local alternatives to forest timber and firewood. Development of tourism is seen as a way of providing these resources.