From the field to science: a major breakthrough for chameleon conservation in Vohimana
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Updated: May 2
The initial findings of the project we have been conducting since 2023 in the Vohimana Reserve in Madagascar have just been published in the international scientific journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology, under the title Diversity, Distribution, and Microclimatic Conditions Experienced by the Chameleons of the Vohimana Reserve, Madagascar.
Over the course of 195 days of study, we recorded 577 chameleons belonging to at least 12 different species in the Vohimana Reserve. This work has provided a better understanding of how the different species use their habitat, their dependence on intact primary forest, and the influence of microclimatic conditions on their distribution.
These results would not have been possible without the expertise of the local guides, whose knowledge of the terrain, forest habitats and species behaviour was crucial in locating the animals and enabling the collection of high-quality data. Their contribution demonstrates just how indispensable local knowledge is to the success of research and conservation programmes.
The study’s findings confirm a key point: conservation is not merely about protecting animals, but also about preserving habitat quality, the diversity of natural environments, and the delicate ecological balances on which species depend. Primary forest, vegetation complexity and microclimatic stability emerge here as crucial factors for the survival of several specialised chameleons.
Publishing these data makes the results accessible to the global scientific community, informs future conservation programmes, improves habitat management models and strengthens the credibility of the actions undertaken in the field by our reserve management partners. Science thus becomes a concrete tool for protection.
Thank you to the partners who made this project possible: the NGO L’Homme et l’Environnement – Vohimana Reserve, the Paris Zoological Park – MNHN, and the Association Francophone des Soigneurs Animaliers (AFSA).
Marquis O., Gansuana M. & Métrailler S. 2026.Diversity, Distribution, and Microclimatic Conditions Experienced by the Chameleons of the Vohimana Reserve, Madagascar. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 21(1): 101–119.
[Supplemental Information: Marquis_etal_2026_Suppl]
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