What is being lost
Radiated Tortoise
The radiated tortoise of Madagascar is one of the most attractive of all the tortoises. The carapace is marked by brilliant yellow lines radiating from the centre of each plate. With the current lack of control due to a political crisis, hundreds of them are being put in containers and shipped to Asian pet markets. These striking tortoises are also suffering from habitat destruction and in some areas are also captured for food.As a critically endangered species, the Sokake has already disappeared in various sites. It can still be found in the special reserves Beza-Mahafaly and Cap Sainte Marie as well as the two National Parks Andohahela and Tsimanampetsotsa.
Ploughshare Tortoise
As few as 1,000 of these rare tortoises remain in Madagascar where they are found in a small area of North-Western Madagascar. Although it is listed in CITES Annex I, which prohibits any trade, it is extensively exploited by international traffickers. Ploughshare tortoises can be sold for up to 200,000$ on exotic pet markets.According to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the ploughshare will be extinct within 10 years if they continue to disappear at the same rate.
Rosewood and Palissander
During the year 2009, the WWF has conducted studies on the stocks of precious wood in the Sava region in the North East of Madagascar, and in Menabe in the West. The results indicate that rosewood and Palisander are endangered because they are subject to systematic looting while their natural regeneration is very low if not non-existing.Between March and July 2009, the Anoviara forest in the Sava region was the hotspot for illegal exploitation of rosewood and palisander. The town of Antalaha was a hub for sending wood to the ports of Toamasina or Vohemar. For exports, a kilo of rose wood sells at 8.50 Euro. A trunk of rosewood, with a length of 3 meters, can weigh between 200kg and 1.5 tons.
Amphibians
There’s also a good news: New species are being discovered every year. However, many of them struggle: The conversion of rainforest into farmland and grazing grounds for cattle has endangered many frog species struggling to adapt to a life on cultivated land. Climate change has forced others to climb higher and thus compensate for higher temperatures.And so the old story continues: Many species are being illegally traded. As most animals are smuggled out of the country there is no accurate census of exportation. There are 9 critically endangered frog species, 21 endangered and 25 which are vulnerable in Madagascar if trade and habitat loss continues.
