Madagascar: Ankarafantsika Extension

Ankarafantsika (also known as Ampijoroa Forest Station) is one of the largest and last remaining sections of dense dry deciduous forest in Madagascar, filled with critically endangered and endemic species. The vegetation consists mainly of relatively low and scrubby deciduous forest with savannah areas and gallery forest around the Ravelobe Lake. 

Ankarafantsika is the last refuge of several lemur and bird species, which makes the conservation of the Park so important. The area is home to eight lemur species: a night walk is usually exciting and rewarding and one may find Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur, Mongoose Lemur, Western Woolly Lemur, Grey Mouse Lemur, Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur, and it is the only place where the Golden-brown Mouse Lemur occurs. During the day Coquerel's Sifakas are commonly seen.

The Park is also one of Madagascar's finest birdwatching venues with 129 species recorded (75 are endemic):  Coquerel's Coua, Red-capped Coua, Crested Coua, Madagascar Coucal, Madagascar Cuckoo, Madagascar Grebe, White-breasted Mesite, Madagascar Turtle Dove, Namaqua Dove, Madagascar Nightjar, Madagascar Wood-rail , White-throated Rail, Allen's Gallinule, Glossy Ibis, Madagascar Crested Ibis, Green-backed Heron , Madagascar Pond-heron, Cattle Egret, Madagascar Heron,   Purple Heron, Black Heron, Western Reef-egret , African Darter, Madagascar Three-banded Plover,   Madagascar Jacana, Madagascar Buttonquail, Common Barn-owl, White-browed Owl, Madagascar Scops-owl, Madagascar Harrier-hawk, Frances's Sparrowhawk, Madagascar Fish Eagle, Madagascar Buzzard, Cuckoo Roller, Madagascar Hoopoe, Olive Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Madagascar Kingfisher,  Madagascar Kestrel, Banded Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Vasa Parrot, Grey-headed Lovebird, Velvet Asity, Schlegel's Asity, Madagascar Cuckooshrike, Common Newtonia, Nuthatch Vanga, Chabert Vanga, Madagascar Blue Vanga, Hook-billed Vanga, Rufous Vanga, Van Dam's Vanga, Sickle-billed Vanga, White-headed Vanga, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Madagascar Lark, Common Jery, Madagascar Cisticola, Madagascar Swamp-warbler, Long-billed Tetraka, Mascarene Martin, Madagascar Bulbul, Madagascar White-eye, Madagascar Magpie-robin, Common Stonechat, Souimanga Sunbird, Sakalava Weaver and Madagascar Wagtail.

10 frogs and 45 reptiles are found here Oustalett's, Dwarf, Horned and Rhinoceros chameleons are quite easily found. Several vulnerable snake species are found here as well as the extremely rare Madagascar big-headed Turtle and even Nile Crocodiles in the lake.

More than 800 plant species grow in Ankarafantsika, holding a high rate of endemism. Some significant species are the Cedrelopsis grevei, an odorous medicinal tree, baobabs, palisander, wild vanilla, retendrika, crocodile tree, lohavato or the sakoanala tree, all of them endemic. Interpretative panels in the well arranged botanical garden help visitors deepening their knowledge on the local flora.