Kirindy Mitea National Park

The Kirindy Mitea National Park is a national park on the coast of the Mozambique Channel, in south-west Madagascar. The 72,200 hectares (178,000 acres) park contains many endemic animals and plants and claims to have the greatest density of primates in the world.

Kirindy Mitea National Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location of the Kirindy-Mitea Park in Madagascar
Nearest cityBelo sur Mer, Morondava
Coordinates20°49′S 44°09′E
Area722 km²
Established1997
Governing bodyMadagascar National Parks Association
http://www.parcs-madagascar.com/fiche-aire-protegee_en.php?Ap=19 www.parcs-madagascar.com

Geography

The national park is situated on the south-west coast of the Mozambique Channel and includes a marine area with seven small islands.[1] It is in the Menabe Region near Belo sur Mer and Morondava and is surrounded by the Maharivo River and Lampaolo River. The entrance to the park is 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of Morondava.[2] During the warm, dry season from March to November, much of the wildlife is hibernating, the vegetation is brown and the trees are leafless. Animals and plants come to life in the rainy season when temperature can reach 40 °C (104 °F)[1][3]

The dominant ethnic group in the area are the Sakalava people.[3]

Flora and fauna

There are a wide range of ecosystems due to reserve being in an area where southern and western biotypes meet. Within the park is the largest remaining area of dry deciduous forest, tropical dry forest, spiny forest, beaches and sand-dunes, mangroves and coral reefs. One hundred and eighty-five species of plants have, so far, been recorded, among them three species of baobab, as well as seven species of mangrove trees.[1]

In this park are found eleven species of mammals of which ten are endemic. Among them are the Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), the smallest primate in the world, which is only known from this park. Also the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), Madagascar's largest predator, and the lemurs only predator (apart from people). Other mammals endemic to the Menabe region include the giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena) and the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata). There are also forty-seven species of birds (thirty-three endemic) and twenty-three species of reptiles.[1]

Kirindy supports eight species of lemur: [4]

  • Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur – Microcebus berthae
  • Red-fronted brown lemur – Eulemur rufifrons
  • Pale fork-marked lemur – Phaner pallescens
  • Grey mouse lemur – Microcebus murinus
  • Coquerel's dwarf lemur – Mirza coquereli
  • Fat-tailed dwarf lemur – Cheirogaleus medius
  • Red-tailed sportive lemur – Lepilemur ruficaudatus
  • Verreaux's sifaka – Propithecus verreauxi
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References
  1. "Kirindy Mitea National Park". Travel Madagascar. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. "Kirindy Mitea National Park". Madagaskar.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. "Kirindy Mitea". WildMadagascar.org. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  4. Trevelyan, Rosie (2007). Primates and other mammals of Kirindy. Cambridge: Tropical Biology Association.
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