The proposed Parc Regional de Belomotse - Frontier-publications ...

waterfalls). Also, the Sept Lacs region is visited by a small number of tourists, which
may have affected the behaviour of the diurnal lemurs. Therefore, further studies may
be needed to clarify these findings.
7.4.3 Conservation status
The ring-tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka are both classified as vulnerable (IUCN,
2002). Both species are distributed throughout southwest Madagascar and are found
within several protected areas. However, both species rely on restricted habitats that
are known to be diminishing rapidly due to clearance for agriculture, fuel wood and
building materials. In addition, both species are hunted for food throughout much of
their range and are collected for the pet trade.
Large populations of both species were recorded within the proposed Parc Regional
de Belomotse. The survey data provide a good baseline estimate of diurnal lemur
density and can go some way to reflecting the abundance of lemurs in this relatively
unstudied area. However, considering the fact that some areas of gallery forest are
under severe threat within the proposed park area, more work needs to be done to
maintain and improve the remaining forested areas. Further conservation efforts
should also focus on the maintenance and improvement of the forest around Antafoky
Lake and the corridor along the Onilahy River. Studies should also focus on the
identification of the combination of factors that affect the densities of both lemur
species throughout the area.
8. Birds
8.1 Introduction
The long isolation of Madagascar from mainland Africa has not been such a
restriction to colonisation for early bird species as for the mammals, reptiles and
amphibians. As a consequence, birds show a lesser degree of endemism than these
other taxonomic groups, but one that is still remarkably impressive by global
standards. Madagascar boasts at least four endemic families – the mesites
(Mesitornithidae), vangas (Vangidae), ground-rollers (Brachypteraciidae), and
cuckoo-rollers (Lepstosomatidae), as well as the subfamily of asities (Eurylaimidae).
A total of thirty-seven genera are endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros islands.
Several of these genera are monotypic, including the Madagascar Harrier Hawk and
the Helmet Vanga. At the species level, 59% of breeding birds are endemic.
This significant level of endemism unfortunately correlates with the level of
threatened bird species in Madagascar. The island’s extraordinary biogeography
means that habitat loss has a huge impact on bird species that have become
evolutionarily specialised, particularly wetland and rainforest species. Thirty-three of
the thirty-seven endemic genera are only found in forested areas. Several are under
threat from forest clearance. In total, twenty-seven endemic bird species are currently
threatened (IUCN, 2002), of which five are ‘critically endangered’. Four of these are
wetland species. Six species are ‘endangered’ and the remaining sixteen are
considered ‘vulnerable’. A further fourteen bird species are classified as near
36