Ambatovaky

The Special Reserve Ambatovaky is located between the Marimbona and Simianona rivers in the Soanierana Ivongo District. The reserve is remote and only accessible by canoe. The reserve headquarters is in Soanierana Ivongo, a village north of the town of Fenerive, which is north (by rough road) of Tamatave (Toamasina). Ambatovaky is 2 hours from Soanierana Ivongo via dugout canoe on the Marimboana river.

Ambatovaky is home to eleven species of lemurs (including the black-and-white ruffed lemur), 110 species of birds (including the Madgascar serpent eagle, the Malagasy Kingfisher, Aviceda madagascariensis, and the Cuckoo-shrike [Coracina cineria), 113 species of herps, 34 species of fish.

ANGAP reports that Ambatovaky has a number of taboos and prohibitions, including consumption of Indri lemur meat and frogs, and "sacred" days where certain activities are prohibited.

BASIC INFORMATION

Province: Toamasina (Tamatave)

Area: 60,050

Protected area status: Special reserve

Year established: 1958

General location: eastern Madagascar

Location and Access: 2 hours from Soanierana Ivongo via dugout canoe on the Marimboana river.

Climate: Rainforest

Average temperature:

Elevation: 400 to 1185 m

Precipitation: 280 cm

Description: Ambatovaky forest grows on a crystalline base consisting of sloping hills intersected with valleys.

FAUNA
Birds: 110
Reptiles and Amphibians: 113
Fish: 34

Lemur species: 11 species [Mittermeier, et. al 1994]
Avahi laniger - Eastern Avahi
Cheirogaleus major - Greater Dwarf Lemur
Daubentonia madagascariensis - Aye-aye
Eulemur fulvus - Brown Lemur
Eulemur rubriventer - Red-bellied Lemur
Hapalemur griseus - Gray Gentle Lemur
Lepilemur sp.
Indri indri indri - Indri lemur
Microcebus rufus - Red Mouse-lemur
Propithecus diadema diadema - Diademed Sifaka
Varecia variegata - Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur


FLORA:

Species:

Dominant ethnic group(s): Betsimisaraka

Official web page


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