Madagascar authorities arrest poachers and provide equipment to protect wildlife

The National Gendarmerie and local communities in Madagascar arrested two people for illegally transporting 20 radiated tortoises on bicycles.

The operation followed information from the Regional Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development (DREDD) Androy. This intervention targeted the radiated tortoise, a protected species native to Madagascar that is frequently trafficked out of the islands through various routes.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) works with regional services and local partners to monitor biodiversity and combat the illegal transport of protected species. These efforts aim to preserve the natural heritage of Madagascar while strengthening protections for endemic animals. To balance conservation with local development, the government provided equipment and technical support to five villages bordering the Menabe Antimena Protected Area.

The villages of Marofandilia, Kirindy, Ampataka, Bosy, and Andrahangy received the supplies to support agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provided support for these 385 pieces of equipment. The ministry also conducted awareness programs on the sustainable management of natural resources. Officials stated that involving local populations is a necessary strategy for the long-term preservation of the protected area and the improvement of local living conditions.