sam feibel

8TH CONTINENT

 

Madagascar is often referred to as the "8th Continent" because of its unique biodiversity. Over 90% of all flora and fauna found on the island exist only there. Many species are currently endangered due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, and climate change. I was lucky during my twenty-eight months in Madagascar to travel across many of the country's stunning landscapes and observe a variety of endemic plants and animals in their natural habitats, even as some of those habitats are diminishing daily.

 

A majority of the Malagasy people recognize and value their country's world-class biodiversity, though most see only a small portion of it. As a foreigner in Madagascar with enough money to travel, I had the privilege to see many landscapes and species that my neighbors and friends in my highlands community had never seen, and in many cases never even heard of.

 

 

Here are a few select photographs of some of the highlights.