A new report by the NGO, TRAFFIC, reveals that 64% of all protected species seized globally between 2000 and 2021 came from Madagascar. Species seized included rosewood, reptiles and amphibians that are critically endangered and prohibited from international trade.

According to Cynthia Ratsimbazafy, co-author of the study, “The figures reveal the long-term and sustained exploitation of Madagascar’s unique wildlife despite enforcement efforts and trade restrictions that have been in place for years. Madagascar’s biodiversity cannot survive this if the countries involved stop at just confiscating illegal shipments.”

TRAFFIC: An Assessment of Wildlife Trade Between Madagascar and Southeast Asia

a dozen or so tortoises with radiating patterns on their shells are piled on top of one another
Illegally exported radiated tortoises

Found: Mysterious songbird rediscovered in Madagascar after eluding scientists for 24 years

An expedition in the remote rainforests of northeast Madagascar has recorded Dusky Tetraka, an endemic to the country, for the first time since 1999. It was one of the top 10 most wanted species by the Search for Lost Birds collaboration, and its rediscovery marks an important step to helping protect it.

https://www.birdlife.org/news/2023/03/01/found-mysterious-songbird-rediscovered-in-madagascar-after-eluding-scientists-for-24-years

A bird with brown back and yellow throat and breast sits on a branch, looking at the camera
Dusky Tetraka

Still so many species to discover: the example of frogs in Madagascar

Almost half of the 400 species of amphibians endemic to Madagascar have been described in just the past twenty years; last year alone, twenty new species of frogs were discovered.  We have so much more to learn.

Il reste encore tant d’espèces à découvrir : l’exemple des grenouilles de Madagascar (theconversation.com)

Graph showing a very steep rise in the number of amphibians described from Madagascar
The number of amphibian species described from Madagascar keeps climbing

Videos of a trek up to Camp Marojejia.  Some stunning footage of the park, the rainforest, the trail, chameleons and silky sifakas — well worth watching.  Thank you, Alex Laube, for sharing!

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 3 Sambava-Marojejy

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 4 Marojejy

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 5 Marojejy

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 6 Marojejy

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 7 Marojejy

Madcham.de Expedition blog – Tag 8 Marojejy-Sambava

Madcham.de videos screenshot

Madagascar:  Land of Fire

The Malagasy forest is burning and its destruction is accelerating, causing immeasurable damage to the environment. Agribusiness, ever hungry for more food, pushes farmers to burn more and more forest to plant their crops. It’s illegal, and yet it’s encouraged by elected officials.

Madagascar: Terre de Feu

Video in French

A crowd of children stand looking at a scene of smoke and fire, with trees burning
The forest burns

The reforestation NGO, Graine de Vie (Seed of Life), has been active in environmental protection in Madagascar for 14 years and has 322 tree plantations across the island, but is now reducing its activities here due to what it perceives to be a lack of support for environmental programs by the Malagasy government.

Madagascar: the reforestation NGO Graine de Vie reduces its activities and raises a cry of alarm

The year 2022 was a disaster for Madagascar’s forest reserves, which have been devastated by intentionally-set fires, even within parks and reserves that are protected by firebreaks.

Video: Graine de Vie Cry of Alarm

Frédéric Debouche, President of Graine de Vie Madagascar, describes the situation in this video (video in French).