A forest with ponds and animals and birds

Madagascar Buzzard (Buteo brachypterus)

The Zazamalala forest encompasses a square mile of secondary dry forest with ponds in between rice fields and small villages. Nearly all western Malagasy trees are found in between the original thorny vegetation with its Baobabs (Adansonia za) and other rare endemic plants and trees, e.g. the poisenous milk containing Euphorbia trees (Euphorbia antso). Common trees in the Zazamalala forest are the Sakoa and Sakoambanditsy (Poupartia ssp.), of which the female trees give lots of fruits in the rainy season, and the Tamarind Tree (Tamarindus indica), which has leaves and fruits all-year round and thus provides a continuous food supply to birds and animals. Within the thorny vegetation, strange plants can reach a huge size, such as the Penciltree (Euphorbia laro), which has leaf-less green twigs. Other remarkable vegetation includes the Giant fig(Ficusmegapoda), which has branches turning into lianas and roots that eventually become new trunks.


Leapin' Lemurs (From "Weird Nature: Marvelous Motion" BBC)

Red-Tailed Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus) from the Kirindy forest

Plough-Shear Tortoise (Geochelone yniphora)

Wild pigs and Grey Gentle Lemurs (Hapalemur griseus occidentalis) are often seen in the forest, and the lemurs can be quite tame. Nocturnally active are the Coquerel's Mouse Lemur (Mirza coquereli), and the Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus Medius), of which the latter hybernates during the dry season. Recently the world's smallest primate was discovered in this region, an only 28 grams weighing tiny mouse-like creature: Microcebus myoxinus.

The Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), The biggest Malagasy carnivore, has been observed at night in the Zazamalala forest. It is a member of the Civet Cat family(Eupleridae), but looks more like a small puma. Other animals active at night are the Narrow-Striped Mongoose (Mungotictus decemlineata), and the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi).

Madagascar Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) near Tsingy

Indri (Indri indri) from Analamazaotra (Perinet) forest

The Zazamalala ponds are rich in endemic water birds, among them a dozen of heron and egret species, e.g. Madagascar Pond Heron (Ardeola idae), and Green-Backed Heron (Butorides striatus). One of the baobabs hosts a colony of storks and egrets. Flocks of green Madagascar Lovebirds (Agapornis cana) are common in the area and notorious, because they often maraud through the rice fields. We have re-introduced the Greater Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis v. vasa), and the Bangs Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra libs).

Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur spec.) from the Tsingy de Bemaraha forest

Madagascar Tree Boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis)

The ponds are also inhabited by Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), and lots of turtles. All four Malagasy turtle species can be found in the Zazamalala ponds, but Pelusios turtles are most common. They have a transverse mobile joint in their plastron, which enables them to close firmly against predators. The Western Pond Turtle (Pelusios castanoides) can be distinguished from the Eastern Black Turtle (Pelusios subniger) because it has vertebral plates with a slight keel or ridge, whereas the latter has not. The African Helmeted Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) has no mobile plastron. The only endemic turtle is the Madagascan Big-Headed Turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), which is easily recognized because it folds its big head laterally instead of drawing it back. This turtle has its relatives in South America, and like the American Alligator Snapper, rests on the bottom of shallow ponds with its mouth open to attract little fish. This turtle is threatened with extinction because it is a popular dish among the Sakalava people.

The endangered Flat-Tailed Tortoise (Pyxis planicauda ) is common in the forest, but hibernates during the dry season. Dangerous snakes do not exist in Madagascar. The biggest snake in the Zazamalala area is the Do (Acrantophis dumerili), which has its closest relative in the South-American Boa constrictor. Some of the chameleons in the Zazamalala forest are the Ridge-Backed Chameleon (Furcifer antimena), Carpet Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis), Labord's Chameleon (Furcifer labordi), and the giant Warty Chameleon (Furcifer verrucosus).

Male Furcifer verrucosus in the Zazamalala forest	Group of Decken's Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi deckeni)

Scorpion in the botanical garden	Fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox)