Avisoa’s Journey: From Deforestation to Dignity in Madagascar
Tropical forests in protected areas are often illegally invaded by people because of their seemingly “free” land and natural resources. As a result, they are prone to deforestation due to the increased demand for timber and land to grow and sell crops, together with rapid population growth that puts immense pressure on natural resources. There is no better example than the Menabe Antimena Protected Area in West Madagascar where large numbers of migrants have been illegally entering the reserve, clearing its forests to plant corn and peanuts. Menabe Antimena is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, with three species being found nowhere else on Earth (including the smallest primate in the world, Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur). Despite this, over 50% of Menabe Antimena forests have been lost in just 15 years. Mikajy is an initiative funded by USAID, where they are partnering with local authorities and communities to tackle this crisis in Menabe Antimena Protected Area. USAID has helped designate 15,170 acres of unused, non-forest state lands, known locally as Bezeky and situated 20 miles south of the reserve, for green titling, offering migrants who choose to relocate to Bezeky farmable land and other benefits. Each migrant family relocating to Bezeky will receive five acres after four years of farming the land. USAID supports a generous livelihood package, including agriculture and alternative revenue-generating activities. In addition to receiving farmable land, these families are given access to, sustainable agriculture training, water from boreholes, social services, technical support, and support in selling their produce. With such supports in place, the migrants will be able to invest in their land and enhance its productivity, rather than resorting to degrading the Protected Area. Unfortunately, the Bezeky area was often frequented by bandits who stole from local communities. Therefore, an armed military/police presence is essential to protect the migrants and encourage them to relocate to Bezeky. Conservation Allies provided emergency support for Project Mikajy through our partner Madagasikara Voakajy to mobilize military protection at Bezeky and ensure safety for the first 200 migrant families who voluntarily relocated here. Among them, 25-year-old Mr. Avisoa Fidèle Randriamanana, originally from southern Madagascar, traveled with his wife and two small children to Bezeky. Before relocating, Avisoa lived inside Menabe Antimena Protected Area, where he made a living from illegal slash-and-burn cultivation in the forest. This family was determined to make a change for the better. He is hopeful that his new property will allow him and his family to live with dignity and security on their own land, not continually hiding and dodging protected area patrols. Demonstrating his conviction, he and his family walked on foot from Menabe to Bezeky. With the support of USAID, he has already built his new home and started to develop his farm. Avisoa explained, “We had witnessed the degradation of the Menabe Antimena forest. Certainly, we did not own any land and I admit that we cultivated in the protected zone. We heard that there would be support and cultivation plots to distribute in Bezeky, so I decided to go there, even without transport. I wanted a chance to get my own land and start a new life.” Like all the other 199 family beneficiaries, Avisoa received 5 acres of ”Green Title” agricultural land which he will own outright after four years of caring for it. The goal of Mikajy is to relocate thousands of migrants to Bezeky, protecting the beautiful forests and wildlife of Menabe Antimena.
From logger to conservationist: Ronaldo’s story
Ronaldo grew up surrounded by the rainforests of northern Ecuador, where he worked alongside his brothers transporting felled trees out of the forests to be milled into lumber. As this was the line of work of his parents before him, it seemed the natural way of life to Ronaldo— that is, until a special encounter he had that changed the direction of his life. In 2018, Ronaldo’s girlfriend introduced him to our partner organization, Reserva Tesoro Escondido, the primary force protecting this region of rainforest, known as the Chocó Lowland Forest. Tesoro uses many modalities to protect the forest, including habitat restoration, boosting local scientific research, environmental education for community members, sustainable development and women empowerment projects, and peaceful human-wildlife conflict solutions. After his initial visit to the reserve, Ronaldo was inspired by what he had seen and wanted to get more involved with the project. He began attending Tesoro’s parabiologist workshops, training to become a research assistant. To encourage participation from the local community, stewarding a future where the environment is protected by its residents, Tesoro offers this training for free. One summer day, while Ronaldo was completing a survey on the monkey populations in the area, he was stunned by the spotting of an impressive, unusual creature in the trees— a Harpy eagle. Harpy eagles are globally considered to be Vulnerable, and in much of their range, including the Chocó Lowland Forest, they are becoming increasingly rare. Harpy eagles, and many other raptors of Latin America, are threatened by two dominant forces: deforestation, mainly driven by expanding cattle-ranching, and hunting. People living in the forest and its surroundings often shoot birds-of-prey, for fear that their livestock will be preyed upon. Through their numerous conservation projects, Reserva Tesoro Escondido is working to end the destruction of northern Ecuador’s rainforests, with a particular emphasis on preserving and restoring bird biodiversity. Since his encounter with the Harpy eagle, Ronaldo, like many others who have been influenced by Tesoro, transitioned from a life of working against the environment to one where he actively endeavors to protect it. By involving the community in important conservation work, Tesoro is creating ripple effects of change across Ecuador, leading us closer and closer to a sustainable, green planet where all beings can thrive. Reserva Tesoro Escondida relies on international support to continue their conservation programs, including free environmental education and conservation training to locals who wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of tuition. If you would like to support Tesoro, please donate here.
Endangered Species are Returning to this Community Managed Lake in Madagascar
Through initiatives such as wildlife patrols, sustainable management practices, and community engagement, Impact Madagascar has successfully reduced human-induced disturbances and restored much of Lake Anjikely’s natural equilibrium. Their comprehensive approach and ongoing management of the area have contributed to the resurgence of biodiversity in the lake, making for a more balanced and resilient ecosystem. The presence of Malagasy pond herons and Madagascar big-headed turtles not only demonstrates the resilience of these species, but also emphasizes the importance of collaborative, locally-led conservation work. Continued partnerships with organizations like Impact Madagascar offer hope for the continual preservation and restoration of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity. Impact Madagascar needs your help! They are in the last push to raise funds for their ongoing community project. By donating, you will play a key role in helping provide local communities with the tools and resources they need to live sustainably alongside their natural surroundings, leading to a better world for both humans and wildlife.
Conservation Action Award Fights Environmental Crimes and Corruption in Madagascar’s Vohibola Forest
Responding to the urgent call for conservation, the Razan’ny Vohibola Association was established in 2016 by local communities and village leaders. With over 3,000 members from four surrounding villages, the association is dedicated to safeguarding Vohibola while enhancing livelihoods through education and alternative projects. However, limited funding has hampered their efforts, especially in sustaining patrol activities crucial for forest protection. Without ongoing, intensive protection measures, the Vohibola forest faces a dire future. Recognizing the critical need for support, Conservation Allies awarded a Conservation Action Award grant to Razan’ny Vohibola in 2023. We are thrilled to report that this injection of funds enabled increased intensive patrols within the forest, which was crucial for preventing hundreds of crimes against nature. With ongoing financial assistance pledged through 2024, Conservation Allies stands committed to bolstering Razan’ny Vohibola’s conservation endeavors.
Conservation Action Grant protecting Diademed sifakas in Central Madagascar
Tragically, the wildlife of Tsinjoarivo-Ambalaomby is threatened by intense human activities, most notably slash-and-burn forest clearance for agriculture. Additional major issues include wildfires, illegal logging, and gold mining. Through strategic support to our local partner SADABE, together with DREDD (the government authority for forests in Madagascar) and regional environmental authorities, we’ve implemented measures to combat the multiple threats facing Tsinjoarivo-Ambalaomby. We awarded a Conservation Action Rapid Patrol Grant to fund increased “mixed brigade” patrols composed of members from DREDD, SADABE, the Gendarmerie Nationale, and local community members. These patrols have yielded tangible results, including the apprehension of criminals engaged in illegal activities such as logging and mining. Through increased conservation enforcement, we’ve effectively curtailed deforestation and unauthorized mining within the reserve. Additionally, our extensive community engagement initiatives have educated and mobilized local residents, fostering a deeper commitment to conservation in the area. While we celebrate these accomplishments, our work is far from over. Conservation Allies remains dedicated to preserving Madagascar’s rich natural heritage, and we continue to collaborate with our partner SADABE to step up mixed brigade patrols across Tsinjoarivo-Ambalaomby Protected Area to ensure the Diademed sifaka and many other species have a home for the future.
A bold “zero deforestation” commitment for Ankarafantsika National Park
Ankarafantsika National Park contains 820 plant species with an endemism rate of 89.3% (meaning they are highly unique to this particular area), including three families of plants that are found only in this park. The park is also home to 37 species of mammals, 70 reptile species, 14 amphibian species (including the Critically Endangered Ankarafantsika Stub-toed Frog), plus the Critically Endangered Coquerel’s sifaka and Golden-brown mouse lemur. Three species of scorpions are only found in Ankarafantsika. From an ecosystems service perspective, Ankarafantsika National Park is the single most important Protected Area in Madagascar as it is a critical water tower that feeds the second most important rice basket in the country— rice being the staple diet for the nation. Tragically, this vital home for wildlife and critical water tank for thousands of rice growers is in danger. In just the past decade, Ankarafantsika National Park has lost almost one-quarter of its forest cover according to Global Forest Watch, including a further 1-2% forest loss in 2023. The main pressures include cutting down trees for timber and charcoal production, which in turn has produced degraded forests that are prone to fires set by local people in order to spread non-natural grasslands for cattle. The challenges here are immense but the stakes for biodiversity and people could not be higher. Conservation Allies has supported efforts at this Park for more than 10 years, but in recent years has increased support to our coalition of partners – Association Fosa, Planet Madagascar, and Madagascar National Parks. The major outcome of the two-day meeting was a collective commitment to zero deforestation— significantly stepping up funding for mixed brigade park protection and law enforcement patrols to stop illegal activities— by the 100th anniversary of the park in 2027.
Unique Andean Cloud Forest Reserve Expands by 445 Acres
Managed by our partner Fundación Cambugán, the Cambugán Protected Forest serves as a crucial habitat for endangered fauna, including the elusive Andean bear, and Ecuadorian squirrel monkey, as well as many endemic plant species. Enveloped by fog on a daily basis, this forest has a research station, allowing conservation research to prosper within this area of Ecuador. The work to safeguard the most biodiverse areas in the world is far from finished. Fundación Cambugan is continuously working to expand protections to more of Ecuador’s forests. It requires a collective effort from all, and each individual contribution counts towards ensuring the longevity of these invaluable ecosystems. With your support, we can continue our mission of supporting our partners in protecting and conserving these vital habitats for generations to come.
Major New Protection for the Chocó Biodiversity Hotspot
Perhaps the planet’s most diverse and unique treasure trove of wildlife is the little known and often overlooked Chocó biological hotspot. This narrow swathe of rainforest is sandwiched between the Pacific coast and high Andes, averaging just 50 miles wide while extending 600 miles from western Colombia to northwestern Ecuador. Covering less than 50,000 square miles (smaller than the State of New York), these lush rainforests are the wettest on earth and contain the highest concentrations of endemic biodiversity found on any continent. Unfortunately, for many decades, the conservation of this region has been overlooked. As a consequence, it remains significantly under-protected (less than 5% is under strict protection) with few controls preventing the large-scale deforestation that is destroying these rainforests at an unprecedented rate. Many endemic birds, plants and amphibians in the Chocó biological hotspot are at risk of extinction. Within this biogeographical region lies the Department of Chocó— a regional province covering almost half of the entire Chocó hotspot of western Colombia. Just 3.7% of the Chocó department land area is strictly protected, with only three small National Parks located along the coast and highest peaks. Yet, the most at-risk, range-restricted species are concentrated in the wettest mid-elevation rainforests between 3,000 to 7,000 feet. The persistent cloud cover and precipitation in this area provides crucial biotic and physiological features to make it a melting pot of unique biodiversity. For example, over 50 bird species and 2,000 orchid species are restricted to this region. Conservation Allies partner, Fundación ProAves, has been active in this region for over 20 years, having established nine nature reserves targeting strict protection for the hotspot’s most endangered species. One of these reserves, named “Las Tangaras,” was established in 2012 within the municipality of El Carmen de Atrato. Its creation followed a biodiversity expedition that unveiled various unique amphibian species for scientific study, including the identification of the endangered Chocó Vireo and Gold-ringed Tanager. Subsequently, ProAves secured support to purchase private forested lands earmarked for new cattle ranches, establishing the first protection of subtropical rainforest in the Chocó department. In recent years, the Reserve has been under intense pressure following the discovery of significant gold deposits around the reserve and a proposed Chinese-owned hydroelectric project. Overwhelmed by gold-miners, ProAves worked with the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Sustainable Development of Chocó (CODECHOCÓ) to declare the Las Tangaras Reserve as a Regional Natural Park, thereby ensuring permanent protection by the state. In January 2024, CODECHOCÓ made a historic announcement, officially designating Las Tangaras Regional Natural Park, safeguarding 5,722 acres of pristine subtropical rainforest. This declaration represented a significant milestone, marking the department’s first-ever Regional Park and its first officially protected area in nearly four decades. Moreover, Las Tangaras Regional Park stands out as the first Regional Park featuring a dedicated birding and ecotourism lodge. It ranks among the top five most bird-rich sites in Colombia, boasting an impressive 557 species, which equates to over 1 in 20 bird species found worldwide. The historic declaration of Las Tangaras Regional Natural Park was a collaboration between Fundacion ProAves and CODECHOCÓ, with support from American Bird Conservancy, Conservation International, ASOCARS, and Conservation Allies.
Increased Ranger Patrols in Southeast Madagascar See Major Reduction in Threats for Protected Area
One of those key sites, the 14,331 acre Efatsy Manombo Special Reserve in southeast Madagascar, consists of unique rainforests and is home to seven species of lemurs, including the Critically Endangered Gray-headed lemur and James’ sportive lemur, both of which are found only in this reserve. Almost no native forest survives in this region outside of strictly protected areas, and pressure to clear forests for timber and charcoal is immense. It is imperative that we protect what remains. With the 2023 dry season from July to December bringing heightened risks of fires and deforestation, Conservation Allies provided a Conservation Action grant to GERP to increase patrols in Efatsy Manombo Special Reserve. GERP was able to scale their efforts, with seven equipped patrol teams covering over 1,450 miles in the most high-risk areas. Their goal was to prevent imminent threats and apprehend perpetrators undertaking destructive activities. Importantly, GERP documented a steep decline in pressure in 2023 as compared to previous years. For example, in 2022 they documented 133 illegal charcoal kilns, while only 74 were observed in 2023. Additionally, illegal logging violations dropped by 400%, with only 64 cases and a total of 6.42 acres cleared in 2023 (17 times lower than the 111.2 acres cleared in 2022). The sharp reduction in threats demonstrates that increased Reserve protection through patrolling teams working with law enforcement works to save wildlife in the face of even the greatest challenges. We are proud to support the work that the GERP team is doing to conserve the biodiversity of Madagascar. Featured photos are property of GERP
New Bird Species Found in Colombia’s Cloud Forests: Discovery of the El Dorado Antipitta
“This truly is a remarkable species discovery, not only because this large terrestrial bird eluded thousands of birders and ornithologists for decades, but that it further accentuates the global importance of the El Dorado ProAves Reserve and nearby pockets of surviving natural forest that are the last sanctuaries for this species and so many other endemic and endangered species.” Paul Salaman, President of Conservation Allies It is extremely rare to find a new species of bird nowadays. Just three new species were described globally in 2023. Colombia is the world’s #1 country for birds with over 1,979 bird species recorded, and yet, new species can still be found there. This exciting discovery further highlights the global importance of the 3,200 acre El Dorado ProAves Reserve for biodiversity conservation. With support from Conservation Allies, ProAves protects over 20 endemic bird species and hundreds of other species of amphibians, orchids, and reptiles restricted to the subtropical and montane forests of the reserve and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. Alongside the atmosphere of celebration, there are valid concerns about the future of the El Dorado antpitta. The bird’s habitat is currently threatened by deforestation, made worse as climate change drives people to seek refuge from hotter areas of the country. The discovery of the El Dorado antpitta emphasizes the crucial role of protected areas like the El Dorado ProAves Reserve in preserving Comobia’s biodiversity, much of which is still unknown.