Researchers Rush to Save Madagascar's Iconic Chameleons Amidst Encroaching Threats

Madagascar's few remaining forests are under threat from recurring wildfires.

CENTRAL MADAGASCAR—Flames approach dangerously close. The night sky is illuminated by a wild, orange glow of a distant fire, flowing across the landscape only a few kilometers away.

I watched the blaze from the edge of a dense forest in central Madagascar, hours northwest of the capital city, Antananarivo. This place is unique—one of the last remaining forests in the heart of Madagascar, a region devastated by years of deforestation, home to rare species including several types of chameleons.

This Story is Part of Multiple Series

This is part three in a series on environmental conservation in Madagascar, supported by the BAND Foundation.

Over 400 tree species make up this forest, preserved for decades under special protection. This area, known as the Ambohitantely 'Special Reserve,' has successfully reduced illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming that destroys forests across Madagascar.

However, even the best conservation efforts have limits, especially as the planet warms.

Now, to safeguard such ecosystems and save Madagascar's extraordinary wildlife, a more dynamic approach is needed.

If you happen to spot an animal here, it's likely found nowhere else on Earth. Madagascar, a large island off the east coast of Africa, has been isolated for millions of years, allowing for unique evolutionary developments. Approximately 90% of plant and animal life here cannot be found elsewhere, including all lemurs and nearly half of the world's over 200 chameleon species.

The Ambohitantely Special Reserve is a prominent site showcasing these unique ecological features.

On a chilly September night at the end of Madagascar's winter, I walked through Ambohitantely Forest with Fandresena Rakotoarimalala, a PhD candidate from the University of Antananarivo studying chameleons in the reserve. Known for their remarkable camouflage, these creatures become easily visible under flashlight, appearing brightly against the foliage—a reason our trek was at night.

Quietly, we navigated through the woods, periodically scanning leaves with our lights as mosquitoes and bugs swarmed toward the beam. Above, we heard the cries of lemurs. At one point, we spotted a hedgehog-like creature crawling through the undergrowth.

Like many of Madagascar's celebrated species, chameleons are in peril. Of the 100 chameleon species found on this island, nearly half are at risk of extinction, primarily due to habitat loss, according to global conservation authorities such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

This night trek is crucial for more than just pleasure.

Every few meters, Rakotoarimalala—dubbed the Queen of Chameleons—pauses to point out pale shapes clinging to leaves, mostly young Perinet chameleons with emerald green skin. She discovers several endangered 'globe-horned' chameleons with triangular-shaped heads and independently rotating eyes.

In just a few hours, we spot over 60 chameleons from three different species, highlighting the importance of Ambohitantely's conservation, according to Rakotoarimalala. Losing this reserve would be a significant blow to the entire group of unique fauna.

The traditional method of protecting wildlife involves establishing protected areas like national and special reserves, which limit disruptive activities. However, in Madagascar and many economically challenged countries, these regions have not always been successful. Often, communities rely on forests for survival, regardless of legal protection.

Ambohitantely differs: it is managed by the Madagascar National Parks (MNP) organization, successfully reducing deforestation due to its distance from populous areas. Its small size also facilitates monitoring.

However, complete protection is yet to be achieved.

Currently, the main threat to Ambohitantely is human-set wildfires. Local inhabitants burn fields for reasons including cattle grazing or traditional practices. Often, these fires spiral out of control.

Between 1989 and 2017, Ambohitantely lost approximately half of its forest, mainly to fires. In 2022, a third of the remaining forest was burned, according to Jacquis Andonahary, a botanist with the local conservation group Association Vahatra, active in the reserve.

Climate change exacerbates these challenges.

Since 1980, daily high temperatures in Ambohitantely have risen by about 1 degree Celsius. Increased heat dries out plants, making them more flammable and aiding fire spread. 'The dry season is extending, so there's more fuel for fires,' says Steve Goodman, a researcher with the Field Museum of Natural History and vice president of Vahatra.

This issue is not exclusive to Madagascar—the global climate crisis makes ecosystems across the world more fire-prone, even protected areas.

As fires continue to threaten Ambohitantely's precious habitats, scientists from Vahatra, reserve staff, and local communities work intensely to restore them. Their solution is straightforward: mass tree planting.

For several years, Vahatra has replanted areas destroyed by fire to preserve biodiversity. (Shrinking forests lead to incremental loss of species.)

However, ensuring the survival of these planted trees is challenging.

First, appropriate tree species must be chosen to suit the terrain and environment. Andonahary conducted forest research to identify which species thrive and their specific needs (soil type, light, etc.). Vahatra and locals collected seeds, nurtured them in nurseries, and planted saplings along the forest edges, adding fertilizer for enhancement. 'Over 90% survival rate for planted trees,' Andonahary told me. This is a significant achievement, as tree planting often fails.

Once planted, researchers and locals strive to protect these young trees from fire.

Protected area managers pay local residents to patrol for fire signs and have water backpacks available for firefighting.

Importantly, Vahatra and MNP established double firebreaks around Ambohitantely—clear lanes devoid of combustible vegetation to stop fire spread. These simple measures, used for centuries by indigenous groups in the USA, Canada, and Australia, control fire spread.

The fire I witnessed that September night never reached Ambohitantely, thanks to these preventative efforts. MNP firefighters extinguished it, according to Ricky Tiavina Rakotonindrina, an MNP staff member managing the reserve.

Nevertheless, future fires are certain. Climate change contributes to this reality. The pressing question now is: are these measures enough to protect the reserve and its untapped treasures?