The chameleons of Vohimana, Madagascar

Photo: Martin Etave

The Vohimana Reserve: a jewel of biodiversity

The Vohimana Private Reserve in eastern Madagascar. It is a key transitional ecosystem covering 2,200 hectares, including more than 500 hectares of primary forest located between 600 and 1,044 metres above sea level. This site is a major biogeographical transition zone and is home to remarkable herpetological diversity, with at least twelve species of chameleons recorded.

The site is located within the Ankeniheny–Zahamena Forest Corridor (CAZ), one of the largest continuous forest areas in Madagascar, covering approximately 370,000 hectares. The CAZ plays a major ecological role at the national and regional level by ensuring connectivity between several protected areas and key forest fragments in eastern Madagascar. It is a priority area for the conservation of endemic and threatened forest species.

Project 1: Inventory and microclimatic conditions

This project explores the entire Vohimana reserve in order to collect comprehensive data on chameleons. A standardised protocol is applied to each observation, combining standardised photographs and environmental surveys, in order to ensure rigorous and consistent data collection.

Conducted since 2023 and covering the summer and winter seasons, the project provides essential data for analysing the influence of forest habitats and seasonality on chameleon distribution. It also helps to strengthen conservation strategies, while incorporating training and involvement of local guides, generating direct economic benefits and consolidating their role in raising awareness and protecting biodiversity.

Project results and deliverables:

An updated list of chameleon species present in the reserve.
A map showing the spatial distribution of the different species.
Descriptions of the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity and UV index) for each species, providing an understanding of their ecology and conservation issues.
These results will be presented at conferences and published in scientific and popular science journals.

Project progress in figures

700

km of track covered

1 000

Chameleons observed

12

Species identified

Project 2: Pinocchio Mission

The aim is to make the Pinocchio chameleon (Calumma pinocchio) a sentinel species and a powerful symbol of chameleon conservation in the rainforests of the Vohimana Reserve in Madagascar. Scientifically described in 2025 and strictly micro-endemic, this species embodies both the exceptional biological richness of Vohimana and the fragility of these forest ecosystems. Its strong dependence on microclimatic conditions makes it a privileged biological indicator of the conservation status of local rainforests.

The Pinocchio Mission is based on an integrated scientific approach combining population studies, habitat and threat analysis, behavioural observations in semi-natural forest enclosures, and pilot restoration actions. The data produced aims to support concrete forest management measures, while strengthening local capacities and awareness, so that Calumma pinocchio becomes a sustainable and unifying lever for the conservation of all chameleons in the humid forests of Vohimana.