Madagascar

Madagascar

3,987 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

3,987

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

717

Highest risk

Endangered

1,970

Very high risk

Vulnerable

1,300

High risk

Declining

85%

3,377 species

Category Breakdown
CR 717
EN 1970
VU 1300
CR: 717
EN: 1,970
VU: 1,300

Critically Endangered

71718%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

1,97049%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

1,30033%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 3,987 species

Species by Group
🌱

plants

3,092

3092 threatened

🐸

amphibians

152

152 threatened

🐢

reptiles

134

134 threatened

🐾

mammals

129

129 threatened

🐟

fishes

114

114 threatened

🦗

insects

110

110 threatened

🪸

corals

64

64 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

62

62 threatened

🐦

birds

46

46 threatened

🐚

molluscs

36

36 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

28

28 threatened

🍄

fungi

13

13 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

7

7 threatened

Global Share

7.15%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#1

of 253 countries

Endemic Threatened

3,666

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Madagascar's biodiversity significance stems from its 165-million-year isolation from mainland Africa, creating one of the world's most endemic-rich ecosystems. The island harbors unique biomes including the spiny forests of the south, eastern rainforests, western dry deciduous forests, and highland montane ecosystems. This assessment of 16 invertebrate species reveals an alarming pattern—all are critically endangered (IUCN Red List 2025).

The country's invertebrate fauna, particularly endemic insects and other invertebrates, faces severe pressures from Madagascar's specific challenges: slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy) destroying native forests, charcoal production for urban fuel needs, and vanilla cultivation expansion in northeastern rainforests. The spiny forests face unique threats from Alluaudia and Pachypodium harvesting for international succulent trade. Cyclones increasingly impact eastern coastal ecosystems, while mining operations target the island's mineral-rich soils.

Madagascar's protected area network covers approximately 10% of the island, including Andasibe-Mantadia and Ankarafantsika National Parks. However, enforcement remains challenging due to rural poverty and limited resources. Community-based conservation initiatives show promise in areas like Menabe Antimena, where local communities manage forest resources.

The current trajectory suggests continued deterioration without immediate intervention, as deforestation rates remain among the world's highest, directly impacting the island's unique invertebrate communities.

Eastern RainforestsWestern Dry Deciduous ForestsSouthern Spiny ForestsHighland Montane EcosystemsMangrovesCoastal Wetlands
Top Threats
1.Logging & wood harvesting3,241 species
2.Annual & perennial non-timber crops2,516 species
3.Fire & fire suppression1,533 species
4.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources1,464 species
5.Mining & quarrying1,057 species
6.Livestock farming & ranching771 species
7.Shifting agriculture739 species
8.Housing & urban areas312 species

Protected Areas

50 areas · 27,138 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Madagascar: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/MG

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Madagascar?
Madagascar has 3,987 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 717 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Madagascar have?
Of the 3,987 threatened species in Madagascar, 717 are Critically Endangered, 1,970 are Endangered, and 1,300 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Madagascar?
Among the 717 Critically Endangered species in Madagascar, Van der Decken’s Sifaka (Propithecus deckenii) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Madagascar?
Madagascar has 50 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Mananara Nord Biosphere Reserve, Nosy Hara Marine Park, Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, and Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, among 46 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Madagascar?
The most affected groups in Madagascar, by number of threatened species, are plants (3,092), amphibians (152), and reptiles (134). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Madagascar?
The leading threats to threatened species in Madagascar are logging & wood harvesting, annual & perennial non-timber crops, fire & fire suppression, and fishing & harvesting aquatic resources. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Madagascar?
Madagascar has 3,666 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Madagascar's threatened species have declining populations?
3,377 of Madagascar's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Madagascar compare to other countries for threatened species?
Madagascar ranks #1 of 253 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 7.15% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Madagascar come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Madagascar profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.