MADAGASCAR - tHE CAULDRON OF BIODIVERSITY

This trip was definitively a game changer for me in more terms than just photography. The great island of Madagascar is hands down the most beautiful and intriguing place I've yet visited. Like for many others, my only frame of reference for Madagascar (prior to visiting the place) could have been summarized by the popular cartoons which appeared - seemingly out of nowhere - in cinemas worldwide. That, and upon investigating the classroom globe spotting a massive island just east of Africa's southern tip, with a funny sounding capital: Antananarivo.

Sugarloaf Mountain

it is believed by some locals that sacred spirits inhabit the island, which is why visitors aren't allowed!

Crowned Lemur

Roaming around the city of DIego Suarez looking for food.

Chameleon in tamarind tree

Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset

Hiding owl

In Kirindy Forest National Park

Verreaux's Sifaka

In Kirindy Forest National Park

Sleepy chameleon

In Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

Avenue of the Baobabs at sunrise

Grand Tsingy

Limestone maze in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

The Fossa

Madagascar's largest feline and land-living predator.

The Zebu

This is the local "cow" on the island with its humpy back.

Sifaka with baby.

Madagascar is recognized as one of the most biodiverse places on earth. This is mainly due to the gradual, tectonic refurnituring our earth moves through, during which Madagascar broke off from the mainland of Africa (and later on also from the Indian sub-continent). This is why about 90 % of the species are endemic to the island, i.e. not found anywhere else. Before any of you nature-lovers begin cheering, here's another 90 %-statistic for you: Since the arrival of humans around 2300 years ago, 90 % of the once lush forests are gone. Several species have gone extinct - among others the huge ostrich-like elephant birds - mostly because of hunting and loss of habitat. Slash-and-burn practices, where people burn forests in order to create fields for growing crops has taken a huge toll on the environment, leaving massive eroded areas. As with most facts about the shape of our planet, they can become very depressing. Not to mention the economic despair faced by poor countries, and Madagascar is no exception. When 90 % of the population lives on less than two dollars per day, environmental issues get demoted to a lesser priority level. Fortunately though, ecotourism and resource exports provide a new and sustainable growth opportunity, all while preserving it's nature and wildlife.

If cartoons are the only (or initial) way of drawing people's attention towards this place, then please keep spitting out those Madagascar sequels indefinitely. Or, you could just be a good citizen and share/link this page to your contact list.