Renowned German herpetologist visits Farankaraina Forest, Madagascar

by Kevin Tate, Director of Fandroakando NGO, and Carlos R. Garcia, Senior Program Director, Feb. 25, 2025

When we think of Madagascar, lemurs come to mind, but what about amphibians and reptiles?

In fact, the reserve is a very important site for these species.  In October of 2024, Fandroakando NGO was honoured to receive a visit from Dr. Frank Glaw, Head of Herpetology at the Bavarian State Collection for Zoology in Munich, Germany.  He and two of his students spent two nights at the Aye-Aye Forest Camp and visited the Farankaraina Forest.  They also visited Makira and Masoala National Parks to conduct amphibian and reptile surveys. Fandroakando NGO founders Kevin Tate and Claudia Morawetz joined them on two night walks and in the process learned a lot about “herps” and Farankaraina Forest amphibians, in particular  

In two informal surveys of Farankaraina, they found 18 amphibian and 14 reptile species, including the Webb's Madagascar frog (Gephyromantis webbi)—classified as Endangered (EN) due to the loss of its specific moss-covered rock habitat.   

The Fandroakando team conducted its own surveys to look for various gecko and chameleon species. To date, they have found three species of leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus spp.), a thriving population of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis), and a few individuals of the brown leaf or stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia superciliaris).  They have also regularly encountered the Ambatond'Radama nosed chameleon (Calumma radamanus).  All of this has increased Fandroakando’s understanding of these species and helped them identify key conservation habitats.

Madagascar has many beautiful and endemic amphibian and reptile species but, unfortunately, their wild populations are declining due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.  Many are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List and they deserve greater public attention and protection.  Finding out more about these little-known critters is part of the solution.

To support this project or learn more about it, please visit our project page, Madagascar: Conservation of the Farankaraina Forest.