Madagascar
Species
From 1999 to 2010, 615 new species were discovered in Madagascar:
- 41 mammals
- 61 reptiles
- 69 amphibians
- 42 invertebrates
- 17 fish
- 385 plants
Photo Gallery
View some of the new species in this gallery:
Newly discovered, already threatened
These new discoveries reinforce Madagascar’s standing as one of the Earth’s richest tropical habitats, but many are already endangered. The lemur, the island’s best known animal, and other species in Madagascar are threatened by
- deforestation
- illegal wildlife trade
- poverty confined to particular areas
These threats lead to habitat loss and put them on the brink of extinction.
70% of Madagascar’s species are not found anywhere else in the world
WWF works to establish protected areas and empower local communities to live in harmony with the wildlife that surrounds them. The new discoveries bring light to the amazing life in Madagascar, but are a harsh reminder of what will be lost if habitats are not protected.
Learn more
Download the report, “Treasure Island: New Biodiversity on Madagascar”
