Betampona Integral Reserve
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This tiny Integral
Nature Reserve with just 2,3 km² is located near the eastern
coast, 40
km northeast of Tamatave. It
was founded in 1927, which attests Madagascar
being among the first
countries to create protected areas. Since 1966 it is directly managed
by the
ANGAP and has been included into the International Union for
Conservation of
Nature (IUCN). Betampona Reserve protects one of the last remaining
rainforests
of the northeast of the island, and despite its reduced surface it
contains a remarkable
diversity of flora and fauna. So far this wildlife sanctuary is
exclusively
opened to scientists, so it is now allowed to enter the Reserve for
“normal”
visitors. Several research and conservation projects are being carried
out at
the moment. |
There are
11 lemur species (black and white ruffed lemurs, white-fronted brow
lemur, indris
and aye-ayes are among them), 10 endemic mammals and 95 bird species,
such as
crested ibis, Madagascar sparrowhawk, Henst’s Goshawk and 4
coua species. Besides
more than 100 reptiles and amphibians species cohabit in this small
oasis.
Currently
the total population of ruffed lemur in the reserve is 35 individuals,
so a
project to reintroduction of further ruffed lemurs has been implemented
in
order to enrich the gene pool of the ruffed lemurs of Betampona.
You can
find more information about the project under:
http://www.savethelemur.org/
http://lemur.duke.edu/conservation/betampona
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| Black
and white ruffed lemur © Madagascar Travel Guide |
Betampona
also has a great variety of plants, specially palm trees and flowers
(some of
them really endangered). So far more than 250 species have been
identified
inside the Reserve.
Since no visitors can enter the Reserve there are no infrastructures at
all.
You can get
informed about the projects and the present situation of the Rererve al
the
ANGAP Office in Tamatave.
BP
548 – Salazamay,501 Toamasina
Phone: + (261 20) 53 327 07
Email : angaptmv@yahoo.fr
