Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mate, breed and rear their young in relative safety. However, mangroves are now under
threat in Madagascar.
Good examples: Mangoro (south of Anakao), Katsepy, Marovoay
and Morombe
.
CORAL REEFS
Madagascar has about 1,000km of coral reefs. Most of the species they
support come from a community of globetrotting fish, corals and invertebrates, which crop
up wherever the environment is just right.
The 1,600km difference in latitude between north and south Madagascar results in a
subtle temperature gradient. The slightly cooler waters of the south are dominated by dif-
ferent corals and other species from those found in the north.
The continental shelf surrounding Madagascar also contributes to diversity. A sharp
drop-off on the east coast limits fringing reef growth, while the west coast's vast and shal-
lowshelf-spreadingoutundertheMozambiqueChannelandwarmedbytheAgulhasCur-
rent - is much better suited to coral reef development. Along this coast there are fringing
and barrier reefs sporting remote cays and a wealth of fish and invertebrates. Logger-
head, green and hawksbill turtles cruise the underwater meadows between reefs and nest-
ing beaches, and from July to September migrating humpback whales use the warm waters
ofeastern Madagascar forbreeding.
Goodexamples: Ile Sainte Marie, islands off Nosy Be,
Ifaty, Anakao and Lokaro
.
CONSERVATION
With information from Joanna Durbin
AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM
When people first settled in Madagascar, the culture they
brought with them depended on rice and zebu cattle. Rice was the staple diet and zebu the
spiritual staple, the link with the ancestors. Rice and zebu cannot be raised in dense forest,
so the trees were felled and the undergrowth burned.
TwohundredorsoyearsagoKingAndrianampoinimerinapunishedthoseofhissubjects
who wilfully deforested areas. The practice continued, however. In 1883, a century later,
the missionary James Sibree commented: 'Again we noticed the destruction of the forest
and the wanton waste of trees.' The first efforts at legal protection came as long ago as
1927whenten reserves were set aside bythe French colonial government, which also tried
to put a stop to the burning. Successive governments have tried - and failed - to halt this
devastation.
DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST IN MADAGASCAR
Joanna Durbin, Madagascar Programme Director
