Promising signs for Malagasy wildlife and communities as Lake Sofia dam almost complete
Thanks to the hard work of our team in Madagascar, the contractors, the local community in Sofia and the thousands of pounds raised by supporters of WWT and Durrell Wildlife ConservationTrust, a constructed dam at Lake Sofia in Madagascar is almost complete, throwing an essential lifeline to the wildlife and communities that call it home.
Last year catastrophic water loss brought this once thriving freshwater lake and vital ecosystem to near collapse, reducing it’s extent by up to 90% and impacting the 10,000 people who rely on the lake, along with the critically endangered wildlife found only there.
But a speedy response from local conservationists and contractors and a fundraising appeal that raised over £110,000 has helped the construction of a dam that will retain the Lake’s water, keeping it thriving for generations to come.
Significant progress has already been made with the dam and the impacts are already defying expectations. Measured from its worst point, almost two thirds of the water levels have been recovered and the wildlife is already returning in healthy numbers.
Lake Sofia is home to a range of irreplaceable and globally important plants, insects, animals, and perhaps most notably the critically endangered Madagascar Pochard. This is the world’s rarest duck, and the lake’s collapse threatened its final home. But progress with the dam has seen nearly full numbers of ducks at the lake again – around 70 in total.
If construction continues at this pace the main dam will likely be built by the end of February, with smaller outstanding works continuing once the rainy season has finished around May.
Harison Andriambelo, WWT’s Country Manager in Madagascar who project managed the dam’s construction, said:
"I am grateful to each and all people / stakeholders who donated and support the construction of the dam. I find no option than building the dam quickly because the risk into rice field conversion is real. If we did not act like we did, Lake Sofia is certainly lost at this time; the marsh would become more accessible and easier to convert into farmland. I am also thankful to the local authorities who enforced the law and prevented the marsh conversion in December 24 - January 25. This action is crucial for the success of the work. Finally, a huge acknowledgement for CEDRE (constructers of the dam) who have surpassed all the difficulties and for their engagement on the work."
At WWT we’d like to extend our thanks to all the people who generously donated to the appeal. Thanks to this global extension of kindness and incredible work by local people on the ground, this vital freshwater lake, along with the people and wildlife that rely on it, has a promising future.
