Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is located 60 km south-east of Antsiranana. It is composed of two areas: the Ambolobozokely wetlands and the Manampaho archipelago. The lakes and mangroves of Ambolobozokely wetlands are located on the coast between Antsiranana and Iharana (Vohimar), about 45 km from Antsiranana. The villages of Ambolobozokely and Ambolobozobe are located respectively north and south of the site. The lakes include stretches of water partially covered by non-native
Mimosa pudica and water-hyacinth
Eichhornia. Most of these lakes are temporary. The levels of the others, including Lakes Ambondromifehy and Marofotsy, vary seasonally. The mangroves are dense and separated by stretches of seawater. They are little disturbed and include trees 3–5 m high on average. The waters immediately offshore are 0.7–1.5 m deep but may be 2.5 m deep at high tide. The islands of Tendro and Lowry are located in the far north and far south of this area. Manampaho archipelago includes the islands located between Irodo Bay and Andravina Bay, i.e. Manampaho, Korika, Ankao, Ratsy, Satrana, Vahala and Ambolonosy. Manampaho is surrounded by sand beaches and is covered by savanna, with scrub (1.5–2 m high), palms (e.g.
Cocos nucifera) and mats of
Ipomoea. Korika and Ambalanosy are mountainous islets, covered by savanna, with trees/bushes (5–8 m high). Satrana island is covered by coconut
Cocos and
Bismarckia palms. It is inhabited by fishermen with the result that there are no aquatic birds. Akomba, Manambiby and Ankao are the largest islands: they are inhabited and covered by savanna. Vahala is mountainous and uninhabited.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Twenty-nine species are known from the site, of which three are endemic to Madagascar. This is currently the only known site where
Anas bernieri can be found on the east coast.
Sterna fuscata breeds on Manampaho. Herons (Ardeidae) roost on Korika and Ambalanosy islets.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Fishing and hunting are threats, especially when birds are congregating. There is significant collection of
Sterna fuscata eggs on Manampaho.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Coastal area East of Antsiranana (Madagascar). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/coastal-area-east-of-antsiranana-iba-madagascar on 23/11/2024.
