Madagascar's largest remaining rain forest - containing animals found nowhere else on earth - is being preserved, thanks to a historic compromise that is helping to save the massive Masoala National Park. This compromise reached by a unique consortium is reconciling the essential needs of the people with the need to protect the region's remarkable wildlife and natural ecosystem.

Masoala National Park spans 840 square miles of the Masoala Peninsula in northeastern Madagascar, and includes tropical forests, an extensive coral reef and newly discovered whale breeding grounds that run along the coastline. Animals found nowhere else on earth, such as the red-ruffed lemur, the Madagascar red owl and the extremely rare serpent eagle, cling to Masoala's unique ecosystems, along with 22 other mammal species. The region also supports one of the most diverse groups of palm species in the world.

Reconciling Human Needs

Around the world, countries are called upon to protect such national parks and rare species of plants and animals. Yet, developing countries facing limited resources and growing populations rarely have the capacity to fulfill the dual demands of conservation and national development. The Masoala Park marks a turning point in reconciling these two previously competing demands.

The Masoala Park is threatened by encroachment from the local communities that depend on the area for agricultural land and firewood, and from international logging companies seeking to harvest timber.

To counter these threats, a unique consortium was formed consisting of CARE, the Malagasy parks board, the Madagascar Department of Water and Forests, Wildlife Conservation Society and The Peregrine Fund. The consortium stepped in to find solutions to the environmental and economic challenges Masoala presented.

Park boundaries were drawn to ensure protection of the ecosystem. CARE then works with local communities to build consensus on the value and economic potential of a new park and its buffer zones. Tourist revenues benefit local communities and help support development programs that generate additional income for local people.

CARE also works with local residents to conserve and protect the forest. The resulting park serves the needs of 40,000 people and protects the wildlife that shares the peninsula.

Threats to Wildlife Remain

Despite this positive step, Madagascar's conservation worries are not over. Foreign logging companies continue to express interest in harvesting the "buffer zone" just outside the park. Without sustainable and responsible management, such logging might disastrously affect the internal ecosystem of Masoala Park.

CARE's work with Project Masoala was backed by USAID until 1997, when the Dutch government took over funding. However, worldwide support remains indispensable and is urgently needed. The region's delicate ecosystem, unique animals, rare plants and the livelihood of 40,000 people can only be sustained with help from the consortium and the public.

CARE Madagascar

CARE Madagascar opened in 1992. Its projects initially included natural resources management, sustainable agriculture, integrated conservation and development, women's small economic activity development, and primary health care. Current projects include nature park conservation, improved agriculture, post-cyclone rehabilitation and urban development

For more information on CARE's programs in Madagascar, click here.