A rare Madagascar bird, the crowned ibis, is finally getting scientific attention as its population declines. Local researchers are leading conservation efforts.
Crowned ibis faces population decline
The crowned ibis, a bird unique to Madagascar, is experiencing a decline in its population, prompting increased scientific interest in its conservation. This bird, known as akohonala or akoholahinala in local dialects, is found in forests across the island except in the southern Androy region.Crowned ibis subspecies and distribution
The crowned ibis has two subspecies: Lophotibis cristata cristata and Lophotibis urschi, named after the French botanist Eugène Xavier Ursch. The first subspecies is mainly found in the humid eastern slopes of Madagascar, while the second thrives in the arid western regions.Conservation efforts by local researcher
Claude Jacquot Ralazampirenena, a doctoral student in biodiversity and tropical environments, is leading research on the crowned ibis. Based in Farafangana, he is also the founder-president of Tia Natiora, an organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation through research and community engagement.Focus on neglected species
Ralazampirenena's research has highlighted the lack of attention given to the crowned ibis in scientific studies. His work began in 2022, with data collection starting a year earlier, as he aims to fill the knowledge gap and contribute to the bird's preservation.
