Inventory of chameleons in Iaroka: a very promising start

At the end of November 2025, the Chameleon Conservation Centre (CCC) launched a new chameleon inventory project in the Iaroka Forest, located in eastern Madagascar, in the heart of the Ankeniheny–Zahamena forest corridor. After the first two months of fieldwork, the results confirm the high scientific and conservation value of this site.

Inventories are carried out at night, which is the most effective method for studying chameleons, by a team consisting of the CCC project manager, a Master's student from the University of Toliara, and guides from the local community.

Eighteen transects were set up and surveyed, representing more than 150 kilometres of cumulative travel in the field. These transects, located between 988 and 1,222 metres above sea level, cover a wide variety of microhabitats, including ridge areas, areas close to watercourses and more homogeneous forest areas. 174 chameleons have already been observed and documented, demonstrating remarkable densities.

Chameleon species identified at this stage

C brevicorne Iaroka Madagascar Projet CCC (photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

C. gastrotaenia Iaroka Madagascar Projet CCC (photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

B. thieli Iaroka Madagascar Projet CCC (photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

C. nasutum complexe Iaroka Madagascar Projet CCC (photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

C. parsonii cristifer Iaroka Madagascar Projet CCC (photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

The initial missions identified seven species belonging to two genera:

Genre Calumma

• Calumma parsonii cristifer

• Calumma malthe

• Calumma gastrotaenia

• Calumma brevicorne

• Calumma « nasutum » (complexe)

Genre Brookesia

• Brookesia thieli

• Brookesia therezieni

These initial data confirm the rich herpetofauna of the Iaroka forest and fully justify the continuation of long-term scientific monitoring.

A locally based project

Students, guides and trackers from the local community involved in the project (Photo: Michaël RAMALANJAONA)

The project is being carried out in close collaboration with VOI Iaroka, the community forest manager, with support from the NGO IMPACT Madagascar. Each field trip involves local guides on a rotation basis involving several hamlets, ensuring direct and equitable economic benefits (guiding, accommodation, catering).

At the same time, local participants receive practical training in the field (species identification, inventory methods, use of scientific tools), thereby strengthening local conservation skills in a sustainable manner.

These first few weeks mark a fundamental stage in the project. Future missions will enable us to refine our ecological analyses and consolidate a long-term monitoring programme, with a view to conserving the chameleons and the Iaroka forest.

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