Anja Community Reserve
| Anja Community Reserve | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
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| Location | Central/Southern Madagascar |
| Nearest town | Ambalavao, Fianarantsoa |
| Coordinates | 21°51′07″S 46°50′34″E / 21.85203°S 46.8427°ECoordinates: 21°51′07″S 46°50′34″E / 21.85203°S 46.8427°E |
| Area | 30 hectares |
| Established | 2001 |
| Visitors | 12,000 (in 2011[1]) |
| Operator | Association Anja Miray[1] |
| Website | http://anjareserve.angelfire.com |
The Anja Community Reserve is a woodland area and freshwater lake, situated at the base a large cliff. Much of the reserve is dominated by fallen rocks and boulders and there are two small caves providing habitat for bats and owls. This reserve has lots of sheltered habitat in the pocket of forest that has established between the vast boulders.
The reserve was created in 2001 with the support on the UNDP to help preserve the local environment and wildlife, and to provide additional employment and income to the local community.[1]
Location
The Reserve is located between the towns of Fianarantsoa and Ihosy, on national route 7 (NR7), and is a popular stop for holiday tours operators traveling between the Antananarivo and the south of Madagascar.
Visiting Anja
Visitors are welcome, but must be accompanied by a local guide. There are two main trails. The shorter trail can be completed in around one to two hours, but you should allow up to six hours for the longer trail which includes a hike to the top of the mountain. Fees apply.
Wildlife
Anja Reserve is home to about 300 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) as well as three species of lizard:[2]
- Androngo or the Madagascar Girdled Lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis)
- Katasataka or Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri)
- Dangalia lizard (Chalarodon madagascariensis)
The ring-tailed lemurs are used to visitors, so it is possible to approach to within a few meters for photos. However, feeding them, which was once permitted, is now prohibited.
Two bizarre species of planthopper are frequently observed at Anja, and the local guides will point out these strange looking insects to visitors as they pass by. The Flatida rosea nymphs congregate in groups and are covered in white waxy filaments. The Malagasy Lantern Bug (Zanna madagascariensis) has a white waxy dusty coating and a large orange lantern-like snout.[3]
Gallery
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View of lake from the reserve
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Paddy field near the reserve
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Oplurus grandidieri at Anja Reserve
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Ring-tailed lemur at Anja Reserve
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Malagasy Lantern Bug (Zanna madagascariensis) at Anja
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(Phromnia) Flatida rosea bugs at Anja Reserve
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Barn Owl at Anja Reserve
References
- 1 2 3 Nyamulisa, Solange. "Moving towards self-sufficiency in Madagascar". Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ "Anja Community Reserve". http://anjareserve.angelfire.com''. RazozyInk. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ van der Heyden, Torsten. "Flatida rosea (Melichar, 1901) and Zanna madagascariensis Signoret, 1860, two bizarre and fascinating species of planthoppers from Madagascar (Hemiptera: Flatidae, Fulgoridae)." (PDF). www.aegaweb.com. Arquivos Entomolóxicos. Retrieved 14 December 2014.