Increasing areas under protection in Africa

Increasing areas under protection in Africa

In 2015, three IBAs in Madagascar were given permanent protection by the Government of Madagascar. They are the Mahavavy-Kinkony Wetland Complex, Mangoky-Ihotry Wetland Complex and Tsitongambarika Forest. Together they protect almost 800,000 ha of Madagascar’s ecosystems and host an array of endemic and threatened species and habitats. They protect 18 threatened and eight Near Threatened bird species, including the Endangered Sakalava Rail Zapornia olivieri and the Vulnerable Brown Mesite Mesitornis unicolor. This success was achieved largely by the efforts of Asity Madagascar (BirdLife in Madagascar).

Across the continent in Liberia, in 2016 the Gola Forest IBA, covering almost 900 km2 and holding over 300 bird species, was officially declared a National Park. The Lofa-Gola-Mano Complex IBA is home to numerous species including Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus, Western Wattled Cuckooshrike Campephaga lobata, Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata and White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus— all are categorized in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable. Despite facing threats that include mining and quarrying, charcoal production and bushmeat hunting, this new level of protection should mean that the Gola National Park will be safe for these and other threatened species, such as the Forest Elephant Loxodonta cyclotis.

Tsitongambarika forest, Andriamandranto Ravoahangy. (PHOTO: ©Asity Madagascar)