Masoala National Park
Encyclopedia
Masoala National Park, in northeast Madagascar
, is the largest of the island's protected areas. Most of the park is situated in Sava Region
and a part in Analanjirofo
. Created in 1997, the park protects 2,300 square kilometres of rainforest
and 100 square kilometres of marine parks. The Masoala peninsula is exceptionally diverse due to its huge size, and variety of habitats. Altogether, the park protects rainforest, coastal forest, flooded forest, marsh
, and mangrove
. Three marine parks protect coral reefs and a dazzling array of marine life.
Masoala provides an excellent opportunity to experience the unique flora
and fauna
of the big island. There are ten lemur
species, including the flamboyant Red Ruffed Lemur
, which is native to the peninsula. The island reserve of Nosy Mangabe
is one of the best sites in Madagascar to try and glimpse the elusive nocturnal Aye-aye
.
Masoala harbors many other novelties, such as the Madagascar day gecko
, Leaf-tailed gecko
, chameleons of all sizes, spectacular birds such as the Helmet Vanga
, and rare species such as the Red Owl
and Tomato frog
. Masoala is also home to the spectacular day-flying sunset moth, Chrysiridia rhipheus. The Madagascar Serpent-eagle
was recently rediscovered here, and exists in healthy populations only in this part of north east Madagascar.
Three marine parks are included in the Masoala National Park: Tampolo in the West, Ambodilaitry in the South, and Ifaho in the East. These are among the most interesting marine environments in Madagascar and are superb destinations for kayaking
and snorkeling
.
Each year from July to early September, hundreds of Humpback Whales visit the Antongil Bay
during their long migration. The warm protected waters of the bay provide an ideal breeding and calving ground for these magnificent marine mammals.
The park can be accessed from the towns of Maroantsetra or Antalaha. From Maroantsetra, transport by motor boat can be arranged. From Antalaha, the park can be accessed by road to Cap Est using daily bush taxis
or by mountain bike
as far as the village of Masoala. The park is accessible from several lodges on the peninsula, and there are six park-maintained campsites. Camping materials can be hired in Maroantsetra. The main trails for visitors are at Nosy Mangabe, Tampolo/Ambodiforaha, Cap Est, and a several-day hike is possible across the peninsula. Campsites are maintained at Nosy Mangabe, Cap Est, Ambatolaidama, and each of the three marine parks. Many villages on the peninsula also provide inexpensive bungalows or basic guest rooms. Antalaha and Maroantsetra both offer a wide array of accommodations, as well as guides and porters for travel on the peninsula. All visits to the park must be accompanied by an official park-approved guide. Detailed information on arranging trips is available from the National Park or guide offices in Maroantsetra and Antalaha.
This is an exceptionally wet area of Madagascar. The driest part of the year is from September to December. As the park is accessible only by a three-hour boat journey, the cyclone season (January to March) is best avoided.
In June 2007, Masoala was designated as a World Heritage Site
as part of a cluster of parks that represent the biodiversity of the eastern rainforests of the country. The other national parks included are Marojejy
, Zahamena
, Ranomafana
, Andringitra
, and Andohahela
.
During 2009 and 2010, the national park has invaded by thousands of illegal loggers searching for rosewood.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, is the largest of the island's protected areas. Most of the park is situated in Sava Region
Sava Region
Sava is a region of Madagascar. Its capital is Sambava. Until 2009 Sava belonged to Antsiranana Province. The region is situated at the northern part of the east coast of Madagascar. It is bordered by Diana to the north, Sofia to the west, and Analanjirofo to the south. The population was estimated...
and a part in Analanjirofo
Analanjirofo
Analanjirofo is a region in northeastern Madagascar. Until 2009 it belonged to Toamasina Province. It borders Sava Region in north, Sofia in west, Alaotra-Mangoro in southwest and Atsinanana in south.Analanjirofo is divided into six districts:...
. Created in 1997, the park protects 2,300 square kilometres of rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
and 100 square kilometres of marine parks. The Masoala peninsula is exceptionally diverse due to its huge size, and variety of habitats. Altogether, the park protects rainforest, coastal forest, flooded forest, marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
, and mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
. Three marine parks protect coral reefs and a dazzling array of marine life.
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
of the big island. There are ten lemur
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
species, including the flamboyant Red Ruffed Lemur
Red Ruffed Lemur
The red ruffed lemur is one of two species in the genus Varecia, the ruffed lemurs; the other is the black-and-white ruffed lemur . Like all lemurs, it is native to Madagascar and occurs only in the rainforests of Masoala, in the northeast of the island...
, which is native to the peninsula. The island reserve of Nosy Mangabe
Nosy Mangabe
Nosy Mangabe is a small island reserve located in Antongil Bay about 2 km offshore from the town of Maroantsetra in eastern Madagascar. 520ha in size, it is accessible by small boat and is part of the larger Masoala National Park complex. It is a tropical rainforest preserve and sanctuary for...
is one of the best sites in Madagascar to try and glimpse the elusive nocturnal Aye-aye
Aye-aye
The aye-aye is a lemur, a strepsirrhine primate native to Madagascar that combines rodent-like teeth and a special thin middle finger to fill the same ecological niche as a woodpecker...
.
Masoala harbors many other novelties, such as the Madagascar day gecko
Madagascar day gecko
Madagascar day gecko is a diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives on the eastern coast of Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees...
, Leaf-tailed gecko
Uroplatus
Uroplatus is a genus of geckos commonly referred to as Flat or Leaf-tailed Geckos. All the comprising species are endemic to Madagascar or nearby islands, such as Nosy Be, where they are found in primary and secondary forests.-Etymology:...
, chameleons of all sizes, spectacular birds such as the Helmet Vanga
Helmet Vanga
The Helmet VangaEuryceros prevostii is a distinctive-looking bird of the vanga family, Vangidae, and is classified in its own genus Euryceros. It is mainly blue-black in colour, with rufous wings and a huge arched blue bill. It is restricted to lowland and lower montane rainforests of northeastern...
, and rare species such as the Red Owl
Madagascar Red Owl
The Madagascar Red Owl, Tyto soumagnei, is an owl in the barn owl family Tytonidae. It is also known as the Madagascar Grass-owl and Soumange's Owl. It is a rare resident of Madagascar that was virtually unknown from its discovery in 1878 to its rediscovery by researchers from the World Wide Fund...
and Tomato frog
Tomato frog
The 'Tomato frog' is any one of the three species of genus Dyscophus : D. antongilii, D. insularis, or D. guineti.The tomato frog originally came from Madagascar. The common name comes from the frog's bright red color. When threatened, a tomato frog puffs up its body...
. Masoala is also home to the spectacular day-flying sunset moth, Chrysiridia rhipheus. The Madagascar Serpent-eagle
Madagascar Serpent-eagle
The Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Serpentaire de Madagascar, or Culebrera Azor is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family...
was recently rediscovered here, and exists in healthy populations only in this part of north east Madagascar.
Three marine parks are included in the Masoala National Park: Tampolo in the West, Ambodilaitry in the South, and Ifaho in the East. These are among the most interesting marine environments in Madagascar and are superb destinations for kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
and snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
.
Each year from July to early September, hundreds of Humpback Whales visit the Antongil Bay
Antongil Bay
Helodranon' Antongila , more commonly called Antongil Bay in English, is the largest bay in Madagascar. It is at the northern end of the east coast of the island and for administrative purposes it is within Analanjirofo Region. The bay is about 60 km long and 30 km wide, and is formed by...
during their long migration. The warm protected waters of the bay provide an ideal breeding and calving ground for these magnificent marine mammals.
Share taxi
A share taxi is a mode of transport that falls between taxis and conventional buses. These informal vehicles for hire are found throughout the world. They are smaller than buses, and usually take passengers on a fixed or semi-fixed route without timetables, usually leaving when all seats are filled...
or by mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
as far as the village of Masoala. The park is accessible from several lodges on the peninsula, and there are six park-maintained campsites. Camping materials can be hired in Maroantsetra. The main trails for visitors are at Nosy Mangabe, Tampolo/Ambodiforaha, Cap Est, and a several-day hike is possible across the peninsula. Campsites are maintained at Nosy Mangabe, Cap Est, Ambatolaidama, and each of the three marine parks. Many villages on the peninsula also provide inexpensive bungalows or basic guest rooms. Antalaha and Maroantsetra both offer a wide array of accommodations, as well as guides and porters for travel on the peninsula. All visits to the park must be accompanied by an official park-approved guide. Detailed information on arranging trips is available from the National Park or guide offices in Maroantsetra and Antalaha.
In June 2007, Masoala was designated as a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
as part of a cluster of parks that represent the biodiversity of the eastern rainforests of the country. The other national parks included are Marojejy
Marojejy National Park
Marojejy National Park is a national park in the Sava Region of northeastern Madagascar. It covers and is centered around the Marojejy Massif, a mountain chain that rises to an elevation of . Access to the area around the massif was restricted to research scientists when the site was set aside as...
, Zahamena
Zahamena National Park
Zahamena National Park is a national Park of Madagascar. It is part of the World Heritage Site, Rainforests of the Atsinanana....
, Ranomafana
Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana National Park is located in the southeastern part of Madagascar in Haute Matsiatra and Vatovavy-Fitovinany. With more than 41,600 hectares of moist forest climate, the park is home to several rare species of flora and fauna such as the lemur...
, Andringitra
Andringitra National Park
Andringitra National Park is National Park in the Haute Matsiatra Region of Madagascar, 47 km south of Ambalavao. Approximately 140 km of the Tropic of Capricorn crosses the park....
, and Andohahela
Andohahela National Park
Andohahela National Park, in southeast Madagascar, is remarkable for the extremes of habitats that are representened within it. The park covers 760 square kilometers of the Anosy mountain range, the southernmost spur of the Malagasy Highlands...
.
During 2009 and 2010, the national park has invaded by thousands of illegal loggers searching for rosewood.
See also
- Antongil BayAntongil BayHelodranon' Antongila , more commonly called Antongil Bay in English, is the largest bay in Madagascar. It is at the northern end of the east coast of the island and for administrative purposes it is within Analanjirofo Region. The bay is about 60 km long and 30 km wide, and is formed by...
- National parks of Madagascar
- Illegal logging in MadagascarIllegal logging in MadagascarIllegal logging has been a problem in Madagascar for decades and is perpetuated by extreme poverty and government corruption. Often taking the form of selective logging, the trade has been driven by high international demand for expensive, fine-grained lumber such as rosewood and ebony...
External links
- Masoala National Park official site
- Trouble in Lemur Land- a professional 50 minute HD film about illegal rosewood logging in Madagascar and the impact on the silky sifaka lemur
- Human Rights Issues, see www.humanrightsmasoala.org