New publication by Patrick Ross: “Thin corridors limit wildlife: Variance of tropical carnivore distribution and habitat use in a critical rainforest corridor” in the journal Biotropica.
This manuscript sheds some light on the significant challenges faced by tropical carnivores in an increasingly narrow and critically important rainforest protected area of north-eastern Madagascar (COMATSA-Sud and Marojejy National Park).
By understanding the limitations these thinned corridors impose, we can better design and implement conservation strategies to preserve biodiversity and improve habitat connectivity.
With: Dr. Erik Patel, Rojo Nandrianina Ravelojaona, Charles Rasolondravoavy, Guy Irenel Raoloniana, Dr. Luke Dollar, Dr. Patricia Parker
Map of study site in Marojejy and COMATSA-Sud, showing transect lines
An entertaining and informative progress report on a new elevational gradient survey of birds, lemurs, plants and insects being planned in Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve. This will be the first such study since an initial survey was conducted in 1994; it will be interesting to learn how things have changed during the intervening 30 years.
A good article on work that the organization Wildlife Madagascar is doing in Marojejy’s sister park, Anjanaharibe-Sud — with a great photo of our good friend, Rodolphe Randriamisaina, who has been on countless expeditions to the area over the past few decades, a true hero.
The JHA Fund works in the SAVA region, promoting environmental education, building schools, and working with the leprosy community. This new video highlights some of their ongoing activities.
A photo of the Formidable Pygmy Grasshopper (Notocerus formidabilis), taken in Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve and uploaded to the biodiversity observation program iNaturalist, has been featured in a recent article in the scientific journal Nature.
The Formidable Pygmy Grasshopper is a rare insect endemic to the SAVA region of Madagascar; it was originally described in 1974 but never observed again — until three of these grasshoppers were photographed in 2007, 2009 and 2015 by Éric Mathieu of marojejy.com. By uploading the photos to the iNaturalist platform, Mathieu was able to collaborate with two Croatian researchers, Marko Pavlović and Josip Skejo, who were able to not only identify the grasshopper but also discover its unique coloration, which hadn’t been previously described. Mathieu, Pavlović and Skejo ultimately co-authored a paper in the scientific journal ZooKeys on this new discovery.
As noted in the Nature article, illustrated by the example of the Formidable Pygmy Grasshopper, citizen science through platforms such as iNaturalist can be extremely powerful in adding to our understanding of the world’s biodiversity.
Another superb video from Duke Lemur Center – SAVA Conservation.
“A multidisciplinary team of researchers has been studying the complex relationships between people, plants and lemurs in COMATSA (a protected area near Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud in the SAVA region). Researchers from local communities, Duke University, Duke Lemur Center, CURSA (the regional university of SAVA), and the University of Antananarivo are working together to study why these relationships are important and how environmental changes can alter essential ecological interactions. By integrating lemur studies, botanical plots, seed dispersal experiments and local ecological knowledge, the team hopes to advance the understanding of forest ecology and conservation in COMATSA.”
The Lemur Conservation Foundation has just released an excellent short documentary film on the work they’re doing in Marojejy and the SAVA Region of Madagascar, as well as in their facility in the USA. It’s well worth watching.
A night in the rainforest is an unforgettable experience. A graduate student from America discovers the magic of Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve where he will be doing research. Read his account here.
Seventy-four wildlife cameras (“camera traps”) were recently installed in Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (Marojejy’s sister park to the south) as part of a study to gain a better understanding of the wildlife populations in the area. The study is focused primarily on the highly endangered Silky Sifaka population, but the cameras will be invaluable for recording movements of the many other species of lemurs, carnivores and birds in the area. Here are a few articles on Patrick Ross’s fascinating study:
We are delighted to learn that the well-regarded American NGO, Wildlife Madagascar, has designated Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (near Marojejy) as one of its first “conservation field sites.” Wildlife Madagascar is committed to working with local communities to conserve Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity; to that end, they will be conducting research, conservation and tourism activities in Anjanaharibe-Sud that will benefit both the wildlife and the local people. They are also planning on establishing a field office in Andapa.
Dr. Tim Eppley, Chief Conservation Officer of Wildlife Madagascar, recently visited Anjanaharibe-Sud and Marojejy and wrote an excellent summary of his trip, with descriptions of the area and the different species of lemurs he encountered. It’s well worth a read.
Duke Lemur Center-SAVA Conservation has just released this excellent video produced by Malagasy filmmaker Riccardo Morrelas, showcasing the lemurs of the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar. Stunning footage of many species of lemurs, as well as aerial views of the rainforest and mountainous terrain the lemurs call home. Thank you, DLC-SAVA!
Silky Sifakas in DLC Lemurs of the SAVA Region video
Fantastic picture of our good friend, Mosesy (Tabatera!), training new guides in Bobangira (a beautiful private reserve north of Sambava). Mosesy is a wonderful person and we are happy to see him doing so well after recent ill health.
Mosesy at Bobingira (photo courtesy of Melyscot Jean)
A new genera in the Antongiliidae family of stick insects has just been described and comprises two new species (Anatispinosa elongata and A. tumidicollis), both of which were collected in Marojejy National Park.
Maroantsetra: Where the Rosewood Disappears with the Chainsaw
Rosewood is the target of massive and illicit exploitation which has continued for several decades, financed by a network of local and regional traffickers. The law seems to have no effect on this rosewood mafia: the network is sprawling and aggressive.
The illegal harvesting of rosewood has continued and become even worse in 2022 with the use of sophisticated machines. Chainsaws now abound throughout the Maroantsetra district [just south of Marojejy, near Masoala National Park]: they have become the tools of choice for traffickers. Clovis Razafimalala, who chairs the Lampogno coalition of approximately ten environmental associations, is concerned that illegal logging is increasing through the use of these powerful tools: “In just one week, a logger can cut down up to 10 hectares of land.”
