There are innumerable habitats for an astoundingly wide variety of plant and animal species at ASSR, including ancient takhtajania shrubs, which may have been growing since the time of the dinosaurs in Madagascar.
Myakka City, FL (PRWEB) June 30, 2014
Lemur Conservation Foundation is pleased to participate in efforts to protect ASSR, an important area for lemur habitat. Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR) was established as protected area in 1958. In 1993, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) began a large "integrated conservation and development" (ICDP) program around ASSR and nearby Marojejy National Park. The WWF managed these reserves until 2004 when all management authority was transferred to Madagascar National Parks (MNP).
ASSR has long been recognized as one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in Madagascar. At least eleven species of lemurs, including critically endangered silky sifaka and indri are found in the reserve. Silky sifaka are one of the rarest mammals in the world. Fewer than 2,000 individuals remain in the wild and none are in captivity. The indris living in ASSR are the northern most indri in Madagascar.
Although long recognized by researchers and conservationists as a very high biodiversity and lemur priority site, little research, tourism, or conservation action has occurred here in recent years. It is one of the most neglected high priority sites in Madagascar.
Anjanaharibe Sud Special Reserve is one of the larger rainforests in Madagascar. 74 bird species have been found there, along with 93 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 180 ant species. Although extensive botanical inventories have not yet been completed in ASSR, botanical diversity is known to be remarkable. Over 200 species of ferns have been identified. In addition, a significant tourist attraction is the ancient takhtajania shrubs. These are one of the first flowering plants to have evolved and may have been growing in Madagascar since the time of the dinosaurs.
The comprehensive plan for the Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve special reserve includes conservation priorities like boundary demarcation, development of Camp Indri, a lemur survey, reforestation project, and work with local communities. The project is implemented by the Madagascar National Parks (MNP) office in Andapa, supervised and facilitated by Duke Lemur Center SAVA Conservation.
Learn more about lemurs species like the silky sifaka and indri through LCF's conservation programs, including ASSR and the Ako Project. Visit our website at http://www.lemurreserve.org.
About Lemur Conservation Foundation:
Lemur Conservation Foundation was established in 1996 by Penelope Bodry-Sanders. LCF is a leader in the conservation and preservation of the primates of Madagascar through programs dedicated to scientific research, education, and lemur propagation, with a commitment to infuse art into all of our mission programs. LCF is an American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums accredited private, 100-acre facility based in Myakka City, Florida. Our current lemur population of over 40 animals thrives in naturalistic free ranging habitats ranging in size from 9 to 13 acres. LCF is a respected voice for science, conservation, education, art, and lemurs, the iconic image of the conservation challenges and environmental stewardship facing Madagascar and the world.
Lee Nesler Executive Director & CEO