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Ankarafantsika National Park is subject to strong pressures caused by charcoal production, slash and burn agriculture (''[[tavy]]''), logging, expansion of grazing, hunting and collecting forest by-products. Every dry season, the park is also exposed to severe fires caused by humans, which is destroying the habitat of a wide variety of animals. Hunting is also increasing, as the traditional ''[[fady]]'' on hunting of lemurs is generally not respected by migrants in the region.
50% of the park entrance fees are donated to the local population to support the financing of micro projects. Since the launch of the Environmental Action Plan, more than 200 projects were enforced in the surrounding communities. More than 20,000 people benefited from the construction of wells, mini-dams and a school, drilling for fire hydrant, beekeeping, reforestation, poultry farming and provision of agricultural equipment. <br><br>
== Ecosystems ==
'''Savannah:''' This grassland is dominated by Aristida, Heteropogon, Hyparrhenia and Panicum. Woody species include shrubs and trees.
'''Permanent lakes:''' They are habitat for rare species and play an economic and ecological function in the region.<br><br>
== Fauna ==
=== Mammals ===
The diversity of lemurs emphasises the importance of the Ankarafantsika National Park for biodiversity conservation in Madagascar. Eight species of lemurs have been observed so far:
* ''Propithecus coquereli'' - [[Coquerel's sifaka]] (diurnal)
* ''Eulemur mongoz'' - [[Mongoose lemur]]
* ''Eulemur fulvus fulvus'' - [[Brown lemur]]
* ''Microcebus murinus'' - [[Grey mouse lemur]] (nocturnal)
* ''Microcebus ravelobensis'' - [[Ravelobe mouse lemur]] or [[Golden-brown mouse lemur]] (nocturnal)
* ''Cheirogaleus medius'' - [[Fat-tailed dwarf lemur]] (nocturnal)
* ''Avahi occidentalis'' - [[Western wolly lemur]] (nocturnal)
* ''Lepilemur edwardsi''- [[Milne-Edwards's sportive lemur]] (nocturnal)
Amongst the mammals is the rodent ''Macrotarsomys ingens'' ([[Greater big-footed mouse]]) who lives only in this area and several species of [[tencrec|tenrecs]].
=== Birds ===
There are about 129 bird species living in the Ankarafantsika region, of which 75 are endemic. The following native birds can be observed in the park:
* ''Accipiter madagascariensis'' - [[Madagascan sparrowhawk]]
* ''Haliaeetus vociferoides'' - [[Madagascan fish eagle]]
* ''Polyboroides radiatus'' - [[Madagascar harrier-hawk]]
* ''Ardea humbloti'' - [[Humblot's heron]]
* ''Coua cristata'' - [[Crested coua]]
* ''Actophilornis albinucha'' - [[Madagascan jacana]]
* ''Mesitornis variegata'' - [[White-breasted mesite]]
* ''Tachybaptus pelzelnii'' - [[Madagascan grebe]]
* ''Bernieria madagascariensis'' - [[Long-billed bernieria]]
* ''Otus rutilus'' - [[Rainforest scops owl]]
* ''Lophotibis cristata'' - [[Madagascan crested ibis]]
* ''Leptopterus chabert'' - [[Chabert's vanga]]
* ''Xenopirostris damii'' - [[Van Dam's vanga]]
* ''Philepitta schlegeli'' - [[Schlegel's asity]]
* ''Terpsiphone mutata'' - [[Madagascar paradise-flycatcher]]
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