Masoala National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location of Masoala National Park
Location:	North-east Madagascar
Nearest city:	Maroantsetra and Antalaha
Coordinates:	50°03′09″E, 15°18′01″S
Area:	2,400 km²
Established:	1997
Visitation:	3000 (in 2005)
Governing body:	Madagascar National Parks Association (ANGAP) in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society

Masoala National Park, in northeast Madagascar, is the largest of the island's protected areas. Created in 1997, the park protects 2,300 square kilometres of rainforest and 100 square kilometres of marine parks. The Masoala peninsula is exceptionally diverse due to its huge size, and variety of habitats. Altogether, the park protects rainforest, coastal forest, flooded forest, marsh, and mangrove. Three marine parks protect coral reefs and a dazzling array of marine life. The World Conservation Union or International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK A national park is a reserve of land, usually declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... Image File history File links Locator_Dot. ... Download high resolution version (330x717, 12 KB)map of Madagascar, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Madagascar Geography of Madagascar Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... The Wildlife Conservation Society, (WCS), endeavours to save wildlife and wild lands though careful use of science, conservation around the world, education and through a system of urban wildlife parks. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... Freshwater marsh in Florida In geography, a marsh is a type of wetland, featuring grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, cat tails, and other herbaceous plants (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow water. ... Above and below water view at the edge of the mangal. ... Part of a coral reef. ...

The forested coast of Masoala National Park

Masoala provides an excellent opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of the big island. There are ten lemur species, including the flamboyant Red Ruffed Lemur, which is endemic to the peninsula. The island reserve of Nosy Mangabe is one of the best sites in Madagascar to try and glimpse the elusive nocturnal Aye-aye. Simplified schematic of an islands flora - all its plant species, highlighted in boxes. ... Fauna is a collective term for animal life of any particular region or time. ... Superfamilies and Families Cheirogaleoidea Cheirogaleidae Lemuroidea Lemuridae Lepilemuridae Indriidae Lemurs are part of a class of primates known as prosimians, and make up the infraorder Lemuriformes. ... Nosy Mangabe is a small (about 520ha) island in Antongil Bay about 2km offshore from the town of Maroansetra in eastern Madagascar. ... Binomial name Daubentonia madagascariensis Gmelin, 1788 The Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) is a primate native to Madagascar that combines rodent-like teeth with a long, thin middle finger to fill the ecological niche of a woodpecker. ...

Masoala harbors many other novelties, such as the Madagascar day gecko, Leaf-tailed gecko, chameleons of all sizes, spectacular birds such as the Helmet Vanga, and rare species such as the Red Owl and Tomato frog. Masoala is also home to the spectacular day-flying sunset moth, Urania ripheus. The Madagascar Serpent-Eagle was recently rediscovered here, and exists in healthy populations only in this part of north east Madagascar. Trinomial name Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis Gray, 1831 Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis (Gray 1831)) is a diurnal subspecies of geckos. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Binomial name Euryceros prevostii Lesson, 1831 The Helmet Vanga Euryceros prevostii is a distinctive-looking member of the vanga family, Vangidae, with a huge arched blue bill. ... Binomial name Tyto soumagnei (Grandidier, 1878) The Madagascar Red Owl (Tyto soumagnei) is an owl in the barn owl family Tytonidae. ... Species See text. ...

Three marine parks are included in the Masoala National Park: Tampolo in the West, Ambodilaitry in the South, and Ifaho in the East. These are among the most interesting marine environments in Madagascar and are superb destinations for kayaking and snorkeling. Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. ... A snorkeler amid corals on a coral reef near Fiji. ...

Each year from July to early September, hundreds of Humpback Whales visit the Antongil Bay during their long migration. The warm protected waters of the bay provide an ideal breeding and calving ground for these magnificent marine mammals. Binomial name Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781) Humpback Whale range The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a mammal which belongs to the baleen whale suborder. ...

A leaf-tailed gecko, Uroplatus fimbriatus, one of Madagscar's extraordinary endemic reptiles

The park can be accessed from the towns of Maroantsetra or Antalaha. From Maroantsetra, transport by motor boat can be arranged. From Antalaha, the park can be accessed by road to Cap Est using daily bush taxis or by mountain bike as far as the village of Masoala. The park is accessible from several lodges on the peninsula, and there are six park-maintained campsites. Camping materials can be hired in Maroantsetra. The main trails for visitors are at Nosy Mangabe, Tampolo/Ambodiforaha, Cap Est, and a several-day hike is possible across the peninsula. Campsites are maintained at Nosy Mangabe, Cap Est, Ambatolaidama, and each of the three marine parks. Many villages on the peninsula also provide inexpensive bungalows or basic guest rooms. Antalaha and Maroantsetra both offer a wide array of accommodations, as well as guides and porters for travel on the peninsula. All visits to the park must be accompanied by an official park-approved guide. Detailed information on arranging trips is available from the National Park or guide offices in Maroantsetra and Antalaha. A share taxi is a mode of transport that falls between private transport and conventional bus transport, with a fixed route, but the convenience of stopping anywhere to pick or drop passengers, etc. ... A cross country mountain bike race A hardtail mountain bike A mountain bike, mountain bicycle (a. ...

In January 2006, the Government of Madagascar nominated Masoala as a World Heritage Site as part of a cluster of parks that represent the biodiversity of the eastern rainforests of the country. The other national parks included in the nomination are Marojejy, Zahamena, Mantadia, Ranomafana, Andringitra, Befotaka-Midongy, and Andohahela. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State...

Masoala National Park is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association (ANGAP) in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The Wildlife Conservation Society, (WCS), endeavours to save wildlife and wild lands though careful use of science, conservation around the world, education and through a system of urban wildlife parks. ...

References

Masoala, l'Oeil de la Forêt. ISBN 3-85717-156-1

See also

• National parks of Madagascar

Andohahela National park in southern Madagascar The protected areas network of Madagascar is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association (PNM-ANGAP). ...

External links

• Masoala National Park official site
• Masoala National Park, Wildlife Conservation Society

National Parks and Reserves of Madagascar

Strict Nature Reserves: Bemaraha • Betampona • Lokobe • Tsaratanana • Zahamena The Wildlife Conservation Society, (WCS), endeavours to save wildlife and wild lands though careful use of science, conservation around the world, education and through a system of urban wildlife parks. ... Andohahela National park in southern Madagascar The protected areas network of Madagascar is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association (PNM-ANGAP). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... National parks: Montagne d'Ambre • Andohahela • Andringitra • Ankarafantsika • Baie de Baly • Bemaraha • Isalo • Kirindy Mitea • Mantadia • Marojejy • Masoala • Midongy du sud • Namoroka • Ranomafana • Tsimanampetsotse • Zahamena • Zombitse-Vohibasia Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Wildlife Reserves: Analamazoatra • Analamerana • Andranomena • Ambatovaky • Forêt d'Ambre • Ambohijanahary • Ambohitantely • Anjanaharibe-Sud • Ankarana • Bemarivo • Beza Mahafaly • Bora • Kalambatritra • Kasijy • Manombo • Mangerivola • Maningoza • Manongarivo • Marotandrano • Nosy Mangabe • Pic d'Ivohibe • Tampoketsa Analamaitso Ankarana Reserve is a small vegetated plateau in northern Madagascar with elevations that exceed 1220 meters (4000 feet) above sea level. ... Nosy Mangabe is a small (about 520ha) island in Antongil Bay about 2km offshore from the town of Maroansetra in eastern Madagascar. ...