Marojejy National Park

Marojejy National Park is located in the SAVA region in the northeast of Madagascar. Geographically the park lays between the Androranga river valley to the north and the Lokoho river to the south, the Andapa basin to the west and coastal plains and foothills to the east. Marojejy National Park is characterised by its impressive massif, its primary forest that covers almost the entire site and its great richness in biodiversity and endemic species.

Marojejy National Park was classified as a Natural Reserve in 1952, as a National Park in 1998 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The park covers an area of 60,050ha at an altitude of 2,132m.

The predominant climate of Marojejy is tropical humid with an average annual rainfall of 1,936mm, with the maximum between November and June. The altitude plays an important role in the variation of the climate. The rainfall is higher in altitude and more irregular and less in the north and northwest. In the lowland the average temperatures are about 22.3°C in July and 26.9°C in February, while on the Marojejy peaks they can drop to 1.5°C in the winter months.

Two types of soil in Marojejy: Ferralitic soils at lower elevations and sandy peat soils beyond 1,800m. The park is dominated by a granite massif characterised by very rugged forest reliefs. It has a complex shape comprising a succession of parallel or divergent ridges from many sharp peaks with steep and irregular slopes.

The Marojejy National Park with its heavy rainfalls has a very branched and deeply embedded river system. This corresponds to powerful mountain stream characteristics with very steep gradients and a predominance of large boulders in the river beds. This river system consists of several rivers having their source in the park, of which the eight most important are: Andranomadio, Andranomifototra, Manantenina, Sambava, Soahitra, Andrahanjo, Andalangy and Antsaberaoka.

The dominant ethnic group in the area is Tsimihety.

65km from Sambava along the tarred RN3B, the Marojejy National Park office can be found 200m before Manantenina. From thereon a 2.7km secondary road leads to the village of Mandena. From Mandena it is a 2.9km walk along a trail to the park entrance.

The approximate travel time by car from Antananarivo to the park is about three days. The first stretch goes along the RN4, thereafter along the RN6 (poorer condition) until Ambilobe, where the road splits direction Vohemar. This road is not passable during the rainy season from December to April! On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday a taxi-brousse leaves from Antananarivo (station Andranobevava and Anosibe Angarangarana) direction Andapa. A ticket costs 80,000 Ariary (2015). Alternatively, Air Madagascar and Madagasikara Airways offer regular scheduled flights to Sambava.

Creation and Management

Before the independence of Madagascar, the Marojejy Massif had already attracted attention of the French colonial administration. On 3rd January 1952, Marojejy was classified a Natural Reserve. This status was changed to National Park on 19th May 1998. In 2007, Marojejy National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The management of the reserve has undergone successive phases:

• During the first phase of the Environmental Program (1991-1998), it was jointly managed by the Forestry Department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

• During the second phase, the main operator for its management was the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), under the coordination of ANGAP.

• From July 2004, this National Park is managed by ANGAP, today Madagascar National Parks, with its office in Andapa (Marojejy National Park, B.P. 19, Andapa 205, Madagascar, Tel: +261 (0)20 88 070 27).

Strategic Roles

Marojejy National Park plays a strategic role in the national network managed by Madagascar National Parks. Indeed, it is a gene pool for the network:

• It is one of the two protected areas of the network which is home to the lemur Propithecus diadema candidus - Silky sifaka or "simpona malandy" in Malagasy ("simpona" = lemur and "malandy" = white). In fact, this species can be also found in the Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, where it is endemic.

• It is also a well known habitat for the bird Euryceros prevostii - Helmet vanga.

• It includes a wide variety of ecosystems and habitats that characterise the high mountains of the north.

• It is one of the few Malagasy mountains that still has a forest in its intact primary state (less than 1,800m).

• It is a biodiversity hotspot and exceptional endemism with the largest number of species of reptiles and amphibians known in Madagascar.

The park also plays an economic role in the region:

• It ensures the viability of agricultural activities of the surrounding communes through the protection of soils and drainage basins.

• It is home to several rivers, of which the eight most important provide drinking water for the people of eight rural and urban communes. When water infrastructure is properly managed it is possible to water most of the 18,000ha of the Ankaibe plain.

Conservation targets

The conservation targets of Marojejy National Park are:

• Dense humid forest of low altitude: A habitat which ensures the viability of species, some of which are endemic like the palm Dypsis lokohensis, Dypsis mirabilis and the fern Tectaria humbertiana.

Also home to reptiles and amphibians, such as Stumpfia sp, Boophis sp1, Boophis sp2, Uroplatus sp, Brookesia karchei, Calumna gastrotaenia, Pseudoacontiasangelorium, Geodipsas sp as well as the bird Euryceros prevostii (Helmet vanga), the emblem of Marojejy National Park.

• Mountain over 1,800m: The lowland forest is the main area for local endemic species, amongst which are the ferns Blechnum longiopettiolatum, Cyathea alticola, Cheilanthès, Elaphoglossum sp, Lindsaea sp and amphibians and reptiles Mantidactylus sp, Callumna cf brevicornis, Callumna peryerasii.

Furthermore, this type of vegetation is unique as it is only found intact in Marojejy over 1,800m, despite its existence in Tsaratanana and Andringitra.

• The lemur Propithecus diadema candidus (Silky sifaka), which is amongst the seven rarest species of Madagascar.

The site and local population

Unfortunately, the villagers only seek to satisfy their immediate needs even at the risk of compromising the future of these natural resources. Thus the Marojejy National Park is subjected to pressures including:

• Land clearings, which are related to the extension of slash and burn, named "tavy". The selective logging of precious woods, particularly Dalbergia sp. (rosewood or magnary), Eugeunia sp, tafonana, Weinmannia sp ("lalona"), Callophylum (vintanona), Phyllarthron madagascariensis ("antohiravina"). Indeed, the high demand for precious wood in the region is clearly one of the major causes for the logging as the locals are attracted by the relatively easy income.

• Hunting, large lemurs such as Propithecus and Eulemurs are especially targeted by poachers. According to the Tsimihety ethnic, hunting is a common practise as lemur meat is still considered a delicacy at festivities.

Fauna

The best fauna most visible to tourists

Scientific name	English name	Malagasy name	Description	Where to find	When to find
Propithecus candidus	Silky sifaka	Simpona	Lemur endemic to the park and the region	Simpona Circuit	All year round
Euryceross prevostii	Helmet vanga	Siketribe	Blue-billed bird, endemic to Madagascar	Mantella Circuit and Simpona Circuit	From September to March
Brookesia karchei		Tangarirana	Terrestrial chameleon	Brookesia Valley (between the Mantella Camp and Marojejya Camp)	From November to March
Eulemur fulvus albifrons	White-fronted brown lemur	Komba	Diurnal (day active) and nocturnal (night active) lemur	Along the circuits	Very early in the morning and towards the end of the afternoon
Uroplatus fimbriatus	Common flat-tail gecko	Tahafisaka	Gecko with mimicry character	Mantella Circuit and Waterfall Circuit	All day and very easy during the night
Hapalemur griseus griseus	Eastern grey bamboo lemur	Bokombolo	Diurnal (day active) lemur	Near the Mantella Camp	In the morning and afternoon
Mantella laevigata		Radaka	Green-backed frog	Mantella Camp	All year round

Mammals

The Marojejy National Park is home to many species of mammals, amongst them are:

• 25 non-flying micromammal species
  • 14 Lipotyphla and 11 Rodentia
  • with one rodent endemic to the massif: Voalavo gymnocaudus

Lemurs

11 species of lemurs were identified in the park:

Scientific name	English name	Malagasy name
Propithecus diadema candidus	Silky sifaka	Simpona malandy
Eulemur fulvus albifrons	White-fronted brown lemur	Komba
Eulemur fulvus rubriventer	Red-bellied lemur	Barimaso
Hapalemur griseus occidentalis	Western grey bamboo lemur	Bokombolo
Avahi laniger laniger	Eastern woolly lemur	Fotsife
Lepilemur mustellinus	Weasel sportive lemur	Fitsidika
Cheirogaleus major	Greater dwarf lemur	Tsitsihy
Allocebus trichotis	Hairy-eared dwarf lemur	Antsangy
Daubentonia madagascariensis	Aye-aye	HaiHay
Microcebus rufus	Brown mouse lemur	Tsitsy
Phaner furcifer	Masoala fork-crowned lemur	Tantana

The Eulemur fulvus albifrons - Red-bellied lemur is endemic to Marojejy and Anjanaharibe

Carnivores

Three carnivore species were identified in Marojejy National Park:

Scientific name	English name	Malagasy name
Cryptoprocta ferox	Fossa
Galidia elegans	Ring-tailed mongoose	Vontsira
Fossa fossana	Malagasy civet	Jabady

Birds

In 2010, an inventory of Marojejy National Park's birdlife counted 118 species of birds. An overview of some of these species:

Scientific name	English name	Malagasy name
Eutriorchis astur	Madagascar serpent eagle	Firasabe
Mesitornis unicolor	Brown mesite
Brachypteracias leptosomus	Short-legged ground roller	Fangadiovy / Fandikalalana / Famakiakora
Geobiastes squamiger	Scaly ground roller
Phyllastrephus tenebrosus
Treron australis	Madagascar green pigeon	Voron'adabo
Alectronenas madagascariensis	Madagascar blue pigeon	Finengono
Streptopelia picturata	Madagascar turtledove	Domohina
Coracopsis vasa	Greater vasa parrot	Boeza be
Coracopsis nigra	Lesser vasa parrot	Boeza kely
Centropus toulou	Madagascar coucal	Toloho na monjo
Cuculus rochii	Madagascar lesser cuckoo	Kônko na Taontaonkafa
Coua coquereli	Coquerel's coua	Gory, Fandikalalana
Coua cristata	Crested coua	Tivoka
Coua caerulea	Blue coua	Mariaha
Asio capensis	Marsh owl	Vorondolo
Otus rutilus	Malagasy scops-owl	Torotoroka
Asio madagascariensis	Madagascar long-eared owl	Hankagna
Caprimulgus madagascariensis	Madagascar nightjar	Tataro
Caprimulgus enarratus	Collared nightjar	Tataroala (fotsifotsy vozona)
Corythornis vintsoides	Malagasy kingfisher	Vintsy
Ispidina madagascariensis	Madagascar pigmy kingfisher	Vintsiala (mena)
Merops superciliosus	Madagascar bee-eater	Tsikorinkorehina
Eurystomus glaucurus	Broad-billed roller	Tsararako (vorombaratra)
Leptosomus discolor	Cuckoo-roller	Kirombo
Neodrepanis coruscans	Sunbird-asity	Soinala
Neodrepanis hypoxantha	Yellow-bellied sunbird-asity	Soinala
Mirafra hova	Madagascar bush lark	Soretry
Motacilla flaviventris	Madagascar wagtail	Kitriotrio
Phyllastrephus madagascariensis	Long-billed greenbul	Tretreky
Zosterops maderaspatanus	Malagasy white-eye	Sabiro
Hypsipetes madagascariensis	Madagascar (black) bulbul	Tsokoreva
Copsychus albospecularis	Madagascar magpie-robin	Todiana
Saxicola torquata	Stonechat	Kialobanda
Nesillas typica	Madagascar brush-warbler	Boretika
Newtonia fanovanae	Red-tailed newtonia	Mitovy sabiro nefa menamena
Terpsiphone mutata	Madagascar paradise flycatcher	Soketry
Nectarinia souimanga	Souimanga sunbird	Soy
Nectarinia notata	Long-billed green sunbird	Soimanga
Euryceros prevostii	Helmet vanga	Siketribe
Euryceros prevostii	Helmet vanga	Siketribe
Xenopirostris polleni	Pollen's vanga	Vangamaintiloha
Falculea palliata	Sickle-billed vanga	Voronjaza (lava sogny)
Leptopterus viridis	White-headed vanga	Vanga
Dicrurus forficatus	Crested Drongo	Railovy na Lehidraonga
Corvus albus	Pied crow	Goaka
Ploceus nelicourvi	Nelicourvi weaver	Fodisaina misy maitso
Ploceus sakalava	Sakalava weaver	Fody fondrana mena maso
Foudia madagascariensis	Madagascar red fody	Fodimena
Foudi omissa	Forest fody	Fodiala
Lonchura nana	Madagascar mannikin	Tsangoritry
Bubulcus ibis	Cattle egret	Kilandy
Lophotibis cristata	Madagascar crested ibis	Lampirana
Accipiter madagascariensis	Madagascar sparrowhawk	Firasa
Falco newtoni	Madagascar kestrel	Hitsikitsika
Numida meleagris	Helmeted guineafowl	Akanga

The Helmet vanga is endemic to Madagascar and can be found in the northeast and central east.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Marojejy, with a 148 inventoried species and 16 species that can only be found in the massif, is a recognised endemism centre for reptiles and amphibians. As a true reservoir of species, it contains 33% of the reptiles and amphibians known in Madagascar.

An overview of identified amphibians of Marojejy:

• Boophis sp 1
• Boophis sp 2
• Mantidactylus sp
• Mantella manery - Marojejy mantella

An overview of identified reptiles of Marojejy:

• Stumpfia sp
• Brookesia karchei - Naturelle leaf chameleon
• Callumna cf brevicornis
• Callumna cf gastrotaenia
• Callumna cf guillaumeti
• Callumna peyrierasia
• Geodipsas sp1 - snake
• Geodipsas sp 2 - snake
• Liopholidophis sp - snake
• Pseudoacontias angelorum - skink
• Typhlops sp - blind snake
• Uuroplatus sp - leaf-tail gecko or flat-tailed gecko

Flora

The best flora most visible to tourists

Scientific name	English name	Malagasy name	Description	Where to find	When to find
Cyathea		Fanjagna	Tree fern	Mantella Circuit, Simpona Circuit, summit	All year round
Marojejya Darianii	Big-leaf palm	Ravimbe	Species of flowering palm tree	Marojejya Circuit, Simpona Circuit	All year round
Marojejya insignis		Menamoso	Species of palm tree	Marojejya Circuit, Simpona Circuit	All year round
Takhtajania perrieri		Takthajania	An old fossil discovered by scientists dates back to the times of dinosaurs 120 million years ago	Takhtajania Circuit at 1,100m altitude 1km from the Marojejya Camp
Ficus negapoda		Mandresy	Triangular plant, parasitic plant
Dalbergia louvelii	Violet rosewood	Andramena	Precious wood	Mantella Circuit, Simpona Circuit
Dalbergia baronii	Madagascar Rosewood	Hazovola mainty	Precious wood	Mantella Circuit, Simpona Circuit

Links

• Marojejy in Crisis - article from 2009