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The Leaf-tailed Gecko (uroplatus fimbriatus) is a unique reptile found in our park. Its amazing art of mimicry and camouflage allows it to melt into its natural surroundings and disappear – a very useful trait for deceiving would-be predators.
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Keen eyed and patient visitors will have the pleasure of discovering these Geckos at the most unexpected moments
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"...Many bird species found at
Amber
Mountain
are more easily seen here because the terrain, whilst being in a dense rain forest region, is more open and has views onto the canopy..."
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LFNP is an excellent park for studying the many bird species found in the Amber Mountain forest.
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On the immediate outskirts of Joffre-Ville and almost bordering the
Amber
Mountain
, lies the 300 hectare Le Fontenay Nature Park (LFNP). It is a recent private initiative which aims to provide nature and birding lovers with a complementary nature park in the region.
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The park is part riverine and montaine forest. Forested areas are mixed primary and secondary. There is also degraded forest, interspersed with cultivated and abandoned agriculture. For the time being, the owners are not systematically destroying abandoned agricultural patches, but allowing the forest to re-claim this naturally. Until the proposed re-forestation programme is complete and forest trees are sustaining the fauna, letchis, mangoes, bananas and papayas provide a good food source. Finally, the park also has hilly grasslands and small plateaus.
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There are several river/stream systems and about 15 waterfalls of varying height (highest about 35m) and intensity of flow. The park has good paths/trails and circuits to suit most abilities. Many of these are on hillsides and ridges which give both panoramic and specific birding views over the existing canopy. In brief, LFNP is an excellent park for birding and panorama/aesthetics.
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Of the two species of diurnal lemurs common to the region,
Sanford
’s Brown is seen more often. Crowned Lemurs are more easily seen during the letchi and mango season in Dec/Jan/Feb. Nocturnal varieties such as the Greater Dwarf, Grey Mouse & Northern Sportive are found all year round with peaks in the summer.
Ring-tailed Mongoose is fairly common as is the nocturnal Civet. There are a variety of Tenrecs during the summer.
The owners are in the process of launching a project to re-forest parts of the park with endemic and other appropriate flora. In this respect, a project memorandum has been compiled for prospective patrons. Some of the works mentioned in the memorandum are being effected. Persons wishing to see this document may obtain it by contacting lfnp@lefontenay-madagascar.com
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