Location: Map
Area: 155 sq km
Perinet Rainforest is a large expanse of virgin jungles situated in the central eastern Madagascar. Much of territory of Perinet Rainforest is protected by Andasibe-Mantadia National Park that covers an area of 155 square kilometers. Don't forget to bring a raincoat or a poncho with you. They don't call it rainforest for nothing. It rains for 210 days every year.
It includes two distinct areas of the Moramanga Fivondrona (Toamasina Province): the Indri d'Analamazaotra Special Reserve and the Mantadia National Park. Both areas cover an area of over 15,500 ha of rainforest, which hosts a vast sample of biodiversity including many endemic species in danger of extinction. It is crossed by numerous waterways that give life to lakes and waterfalls.
In the park live 11 different species of lemurs with both day
and night habits. Among the latter are the aye aye (Daubentonia
madagascariensis), the red microcebo (Microcebus rufus) and the
brown chirogale (Cheirogaleus major). By day it is possible to
observe the sifaka diadema (Propithecus diadema), the
red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) and a large colony of
Indri indri.
Occasionally it is possible to find in this
area the pit (Cryptoprocta ferox) as well as several species of
tenrec.
The following species of bats have been recorded
in the area: Myzopoda aurita, Miniopterus manavi, Miniopterus
majori, Myotis goudoti, Mormopterus jugularis, Mops leucostigma,
Tadarida pumila, Neoromicia robertsi.
The park is also
home to numerous species of birds (including the elusive barn
owl of Madagascar, Tyto soumagnei and the rare false nettarinia
ventregiallo, Neodrepanis hypoxantha), a rich contingent of
amphibians (Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis, Blommersia
blommersae, Boophis boehmei, Boophis erythrodactylus, Boophis
guibei, Mantella crocea, Scaphiophryne marmorata) and various
species of reptiles.