Difference between revisions of "Analamerana Special Reserve"

Revision as of 06:05, 10 January 2012

The Analamerana Special Reserve is located in the northern part of Madagascar, halfway between the western region of Diana and the eastern region of Sava. The 34,700 hectares reserve is located in a rather unexplored forest southeast of Montagne d'Ambre, between the Irodo river in the North and the Loky river in the South.

To visit Analamerana Special Reserve it is best to start in Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), from where the paved road RN6 leads 60 kilometres south to Sadjoavato. From there it is another 25 kilometres along a very bad road to the municipality of Ankarongana. This road is only accessible during the dry season from May to November. From Ankarongana one has to continue by motorcycle, bike or foot to Analamerana Special Reserve.

Analamerana was classified Special Reserve in 1956 and is the only protected area that gives refuge to the endangered Perrier's sifaka lemur species. Three of the seven known Baobab species grow in the reserve.

The area is dominated by a limestone massif with numerous rocky outcrops - the tsingy (sharp limestone karst pinnacles). From east to west, this karst plateau comprises the massif of Analamerana, the massif of Antsohy and part of the Andrafiamena chain. In addition to the river Irodo, eight small streams flow through the reserve. The following ethnic groups live in and around the reserve: Sakalava, Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Anjoaty, Antemoro, Antankarana, Antandry, Merina and Betsileo. Unfortunately the protected area is subject to human pressures such as slash and burn to gain new farm land as well as illegal wood cutting.

The predominant climate is hot and humid with an average annual rainfall of 1,250mm. Most of the rain falls during the months of November through April. The dry season is clearly defined from June to August. The average temperature is 25°C, varying between 20°C and 30°C.

Fauna

Reptiles / Amphibians

The climate and stingy landscape in some parts of the reserve do not encourage the abundance of reptiles and amphibians. However, the following species are quite common:

• Furcifer petteri - Petter's chameleon
• Boa manditra - Madagascar tree boa
• Boa madagascariensis - Madagascar tree boa
  
  

Birds

Many bird species live in Analamerana, of which seven are endemic. One of the eight rarest birds in the world can be found in the reserve, the Xenopirostris damii (Van Dam's vanga). The following species can be observed in the reserve:

• Xenopirostris damii - Van Dam's vanga (endemic)
• Ardeola idae - Madagascan pond heron
• Mesitornis variegata - White-breasted mesite
• Lophotibis cristata - Madagascan crested ibis
• Accipiter henstii - Henst's goshawk
• Accipiter madagascariensis - Madagascan sparrowhawk
• Haliaeetus vociferoides - Madagascan fish eagle
• Coua coquereli - Coquerel's coua
• Falculea palliate - Sickle-billed vanga
• Ploceus sakalava - Sakalava weaver
• Tyto soumagnei - Madagascan red owl (endemic)
• Centropus toulou - Madagascan coucal
• Alcedo vintsioides - Madagascan kingfisher
• Ceyx madagascariensis - Madagascan pygmy kingfisher
  
  

Mammals

The most commonly observed lemur species are:

• Propithecus perrieri - Perrier's sifaka
• Eulemur coronatus - Crowned lemur
• Eulemur fulvus sanfordi - Brown lemur, sub-species Sanford's lemur
• Lepilemur septentrionalis - Northern sportive lemur
• Phaner furcifer - Fork-marked lemur
• Daubentonia madagascariensis - Aye-aye
• Hapalemur griseus occidentalis - Bamboo lemur

Carnivores living in Analamerana are:

• Cryptoprocta ferox - Fossa
• Galidia elegans dambrensis - Ring-tailed mongoose
  
  

The best fauna most visible to tourists

Flora

In the Analamerana Special Reserve grow typical species of the ecoregions of the west, east and centre of Madagascar. Six palm species are identified and three of the seven known baobabs growing in Madagascar can be found in the reserve:

• Adansonia perrieri - Perrier's Baobab (endemic)
• Adansonia madagascariensis (endemic)
• Adansonia suarezensis - Suarez Baobab (endemic)
  
  

The best flora most visible to tourists