Madagascar - Andrefana Dry Forests

Extension Update: The Dry Forests of Andrefana is a serial extension of the Tsingy de Bemaraha World Heritage property and consists of five protected areas. The new component parts cover almost the full range of ecological and evolutionary variation within the western forests of Madagascar from north to south, including western dry forests and southwestern spiny forest-thicket. These additional sites are of extreme importance for conservation as they cover a spectacular array of endemic and threatened biodiversity, including baobabs, flame trees (Delonix), as well as unique evolutionary lineages such as the Mesitornithiformes, an order of birds which is 54 million years old.

"Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve comprises karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive 'tsingy' peaks and a 'forest' of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Tsingy de Bemaraha designed by sender. Thanks to Christine of Switzerland for mailing from Madagascar.

Postcard 2

Received this nice postcard of Tsingy du Bemaraha of Madagascar from Daniel of Hungary.

Madagascar - Royal Hill of Ambohimanga

"The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city and burial site, and an ensemble of sacred places. It is associated with strong feelings of national identity, and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Ruins of the Ambohimanga royal courts. Thanks to Christine of Switzerland for mailing from Madagascar.

Postcard 2

Une porte du Rova of Ambobimanga, Madagascar. Thanks to Werner of Austria.

Madagascar - Rainforests of the Atsinanana

"The Rainforests of the Atsinanana comprise six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island. These relict forests are critically important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s geological history. Having completed its separation from all other land masses more than 60 million years ago, Madagascar’s plant and animal life evolved in isolation. The rainforests are inscribed for their importance to both ecological and biological processes as well as their biodiversity and the threatened species they support. Many species are rare and threatened especially primates and lemurs." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Lowland rainforest of Masoala National Park - rainforests of the Atsinanana. Thanks to Christine of Switzerland.

Postcard 2

After many trials, I finally got my first postcard from Sachara who went to visit Atsinana Forests of Madagascar for holidays. It was a thrill to receive this beautiful postcard of a lemur, "Lemur Variegata". Reminds me of the cartoon movie, "Madagascar". Thanks so much Sachara of Netherlands.

Postcard 3

Again, it was fantastic to receive another postcard sent from Madagascar - the largest island country off the African continent.
Like Australia, with the isolation, Madagascar today has incredible specialized animal species - the most famous are the lemur families. This postcard shows "Lemurs Couronnes". Thanks to Chris who went travelling to Madagascar.

Postcard 4

Adorable looking lemur from Madagascar. This species is "Lemur couronne". Grateful for this postcard sent from Madagascar - the largest island in Africa from DAO from England.