Purpose
Wildlife Madagascar is committed to preserving and safeguarding Madagascar’s unique biodiversity through a comprehensive strategy and collaborative efforts. We work closely with Malagasy communities to develop sustainable conservation solutions that benefit both the environment and local livelihoods. By fostering partnerships among individuals, local organizations, non-profits, and government agencies, we aim to create lasting change while addressing poverty alleviation and biodiversity protection in one of the planet’s most imperiled ecosystems.
Mission
Our mission is to collaborate with communities to conserve Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Our Vision
We envision healthy communities advocating for and conserving Madagascar’s forests and wildlife.
Biodiversity Hotspot
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot, renowned for its unique and diverse ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. It is home to a wide array of endemic species, including Critically Endangered lemurs like the indri, aye-aye, silky sifaka, and van der Decken’s sifaka, as well as chameleons, tenrecs, and euplerid carnivores such as fosa. Madagascar is also home to incredible flora. Among the most notable are its seven baobab tree species, six of which are endemic, and the over 1,000 orchid species, with 90% being endemic.
Field Sites
We operate in three key field sites:
Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR): Located in northeastern Madagascar, this formally protected area (IUCN category IV) is known for its rich biodiversity, unique flora and fauna, and primary rainforest habitat for the indri, aye-aye, silky sifaka, and other Critically Endangered species. ASSR is also known for its incredible diversity of herpetofauna including at least 43 species of amphibians, 43 species of reptiles, 112 species of birds (including the helmet vanga), and 52 species of mammals.
La Mananara (Anjozorobe-Angavo): Situated in central-eastern Madagascar, this private land holding is approximately 4,000 hectares of largely high-elevation primary humid forest. It is located within the Anjozorobe-Angavo Protected Harmonious Landscape (IUCN category V), a 53,000-hectare protected area. It supports important populations of indri, diademed sifaka, and other endemic species, and represents one of the last remnants of natural forest remaining in the Central Highlands.
Namoroka National Park: Found in northwestern Madagascar, the park is a formally protected area (IUCN category II). It is renowned for its unique geological features, including the spectacular tsingy formations, caves, and ancient pictographs that offer a glimpse into Madagascar’s rich cultural and natural history. This park is home to diverse ecosystems including dry forest and wetlands and hosts threatened wildlife including the Critically Endangered van der Decken’s sifaka, Tsiombikibo sportive lemur, and Namoroka leaf chameleon, as well as at least six species of amphibians, 31 species of reptiles, 102 species of birds, and 34 species of mammals.
Threats to Madagascar’s Biodiversity
Madagascar faces severe threats to its unique biodiversity. Deforestation due to agriculture, logging, and charcoal production leads to habitat loss, threatening endemic species like lemurs and unique plants. Illegal hunting and wildlife trade further deplete populations, while invasive species disrupt ecosystems and climate change exacerbates these challenges.
Programs to Address Biodiversity Threats
Our programs focus on creating long-term change, alleviating poverty, and supporting environmental conservation:
Addressing Food Security
Wildlife Madagascar’s initiative on sakondry farming aims to address food insecurity and malnutrition in Madagascar, where a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line and faces food shortages. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of sakondry, a native insect species rich in essential nutrients, the project seeks to provide a sustainable food source that is affordable, accessible, and culturally accepted. Sakondry farming not only contributes to improving nutrition and household income but also helps preserve biodiversity by utilizing existing agricultural areas without the need for further deforestation. Wildlife Madagascar’s efforts include providing seed stock and training for local communities to grow bean plants and farm sakondry, creating a cooperative network for seed sharing and sales, and empowering communities to improve their livelihoods while protecting endangered wildlife.
Partnerships
We collaborate with a range of partners, including the Abraham Foundation, El Paso Zoo, Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust, San Diego Foundation, University of Antananarivo, Lemur Conservation Foundation, Weeden Foundation, and others, to achieve our conservation goals and make a meaningful impact.