Ranomafana National Park
Entrance sign to Ranomafana National Park
Map showing the location of Ranomafana National Park
Map showing the location of Ranomafana National Park
Location of Ranomafana National Park in Madag
Nearest cityFianarantsoa, Ranomafana
Coordinates21°13′S 47°25′E / 21.217°S 47.417°E / -21.217; 47.417
Area416 km²
Established1991
Governing bodyMadagascar National Parks Association
TypeNatural
Criteriaix, x
Designated2007
Reference no.1257
RegionList of World Heritage Sites in Africa

Ranomafana National Park is a national park in southeastern Madagascar, in the Haute Matsiatra and Vatovavy regions. It was established as Madagascar's fourth national park in 1991 following the rediscovery of the greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus) and the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus) by the primatologist Dr. Patricia Wright.[1]

The park protects more than 41,600 hectares (161 square miles) of tropical rainforest at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 m (2,645 to 3,937 ft) and is home to several rare species of plants and animals.[2] It was later integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rainforests of the Atsinanana.[3] The Centre ValBio research station is adjacent to the park and was created in 2003 by Stony Brook University for biodiversity research, community health and education, environmental arts, and reforestation.[4]

The park's name is derived from the Malagasy words rano mafana ("hot water") due to the hot springs in the nearby town of Ranomafana.[1]

Fauna & Flora

The range of altitudes in the park produces a variety of forest types, including lowland rainforest and cloud forest.[1] These forests support high levels of biodiversity. The park hosts 90 species of butterflies, 112 species of frogs, 22 species of lizards, 22 species of snake, and 118 species of birds, 30 of which are endemic to the park.[5][6] Notable birds include ground rollers, blue vangas, short-legged ground rollers and brown mesites.

List of lemur species found in Ranomafana National Park[5]
Viewing Time Species
Daytime Golden bamboo lemur, Prolemur aureus

Greater bamboo lemur, Prolemur simus

Milne-Edwards's sifaka, Propithecus edwardsi

Southern black and white ruffed lemur, Varecia variegata editorum

Ranomafana grey bamboo lemur, Hapalemur griseus ranomafanensis

Red-bellied lemur, Eulemur rubriventer

Red-fronted brown lemur, Eulemur rufifrons

Nighttime Aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis

Brown mouse lemur, Microcebus rufus

Crossley's dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus crossleyi

Peyrieras's woolly lemur, Avahi peyrierasi

Sibree's dwarf lemur, Cheirogaleus sibreei

Small-toothed sportive lemur, Lepilemur microdon

Scientific research

There are four main sites for scientific research. Talatakely is located within walking distance of Centre ValBio and is also accessible to tourists off of Route 25.[6] Talatakely is the site of the original research camp and is one of the few locations in the park where Prolemur simus can be seen. The three remaining research sites (Vatoharanana, Valohoaka, and Mangevo) maintain bush camp facilities.[6][7] In addition to these main sites, research has been conducted throughout the park.

Tourism

Boophis reticulatus at Ranomafana National Park

As with all national parks in Madagascar, a local guide is required for visitors entering the park. It has seven hiking trails that vary in length from 10 to 20 km (6.2 to 12.4 mi) and offer opportunities for birdwatching, viewing lemurs, and seeing waterfalls.[2]

Talatakely has well-defined paths and stairs, although sturdy shoes should be worn as the path can be slippery when wet. Specialist guides can be arranged through Centre ValBio for excursions.

Kayaking or canoeing can also be arranged and a hot springs pool is located in Ranomafana.

Lodging

There is a private ecolodge administered by a private tourist operator at the entrance of the national park. There are also several hotels in Ranomafana village. Additionally, it is possible to camp at the campsite near the main road through the park or to find lodging at Centre ValBio, where most of the scientific research is based.

The park is 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Fianarantsoa and 139 km (86 mi) west of Mananjary. The park office is at the entrance to the village of Ambodiamontana, 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the town of Ranomafana. The park is crossed by National Road 25 and National Road 45.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ranomafana National Park | Centre ValBio". www.stonybrook.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  2. 1 2 "Ranomafana National Park (Official GANP Park Page)". national-parks.org. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  3. ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Rainforests of the Atsinanana". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  4. ↑ Centre ValBio
  5. 1 2 "Ranomafana National Park, FI, MG". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  6. 1 2 3 Rothman, Ryan (2022). "Centre ValBio Research Station: International Centre for the Valorization of Biodiversity". Ecotropica (24): 1–6.
  7. ↑ Matos, Mariana Duarte Pissarra; Fernandes, Teresa Ribeiro Matos; Wright, Patricia Chapple (2022-10-01). "Ecological Flexibility of Propithecus edwardsi in Two Forest Habitats with Different Logging Histories in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 43 (5): 913–931. doi:10.1007/s10764-022-00308-9. hdl:10174/32524. ISSN 1573-8604.
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