Hope for rare chameleon
3 Mar 2011 by Evoluted New Media
A new population of a critically endangered Madagascan chameleon has been found on the island just three days after an international conference assessing their conservation status.
A new population of a critically endangered Madagascan chameleon has been found on the island just three days after an international conference assessing their conservation status.
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A new population of Belalanda chameleon has been found in Madagascar |
Previously known in only a few trees in two small villages, the Belalanda chameleon is one of 75 species found only in Madagascar, all of which are threatened by habitat destruction. This new population was found in a third village on the south of the main island.
“Habitat loss and degradation is the main threat to chameleons and biodiversity in general in Madagascar,” said Richard Griffiths, team leader and professor of biological conservation at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent.
Griffiths described the find as very important for this species, one of the world’s rarest reptiles.
“Our teams are working closely with local communities and our partners to raise awareness of the plight of these amazing creatures,” he said.
DICE’s local partner on the project is Madagasikara Voakajy, a Malagasy biodiversity organisation. They use conservation science and community participation to protect endemic Malagasy species – many of which are highly prized within the pet trade – and their habitat.
The team had – three days prior to the find – hosted an international conference to assess the conservation status of all Madagascan reptiles, three of which, including the Belalanda, are close to extinction.
