Prime Magazine October 2019

DESTINATIONS
Ces divers écosystèmes
offrent des habitats
à plusieurs espèces
endémiques et menacées de
Madagascar
Above and Right © : Francesco Veronesi
In addition to their beautiful landscape with the
lush vegetation, majestic lakes and uncommon
plantations, the wetlands of Ambondrombe also
shelter many threatened endemic species.
These ecosystems shelter
many of Madagascar’s
threatened endemic species
Wetlands, such as Ambondrombe,
play an important role in the
planetary balance and contribute
to the preservation of species
that are becoming rare. These
wetlands are located on the west coast of Madagascar
and they include the permanent lake of Ambondrombe,
temporary satellite lakes and ecosystems of swamps
and transitional forests. This complex system has
been registered as a Ramsar site since May 2017 and
is amongst the island’s richest natural environments.
The abundance and diversity of life to be found is
astonishing: plants, insects, crustaceans, amphibians,
reptiles, fish, birds and mammals.
Indeed, these ecosystems shelter many of
Madagascar’s threatened endemic species, such as the
Malagasy pond heron (Ardeola Idea), the Malagasy
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis Bernieri), the African fish
eagle (Haliaeetus Vociferoides) and the Madagascan
big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys Madagascariensis),
a fresh-water turtle. Unfortunately, these scientific
names are mainly known for referring to critically
endangered species. Among the unexpected species
found in these wetlands, there is also the Malagasy
flying fox (Pteropus Rufus). Your visit will be
accompanied by the song of the 10,000 birds living
there, among which are several egrets and herons,
such as the Humblot’s heron (Ardea Humbloti): a rare
natural show that really must be experienced for a true
connection with Madagascar’s generous nature.
Left © : Bernard DUPONT
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