Promising signs for Malagasy wildlife and communities as Lake Sofia dam almost complete
A new dam to re-establish Lake Sofia – release site for the critically endangered Madagascar pochard – is now close to completion. This is thanks to the hard work of staff from WWT and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), who collectively raised over £100,000 for the emergency action and worked tirelessly with the contractors, local authorities and local communities to turn this project around in time for the onset of the 2025 rainy season, throwing an essential lifeline to the wildlife and communities that call it home.
Last year catastrophic water loss brought the once-thriving Lake Sofia, a roughly 300 ha freshwater lake in Madagasdcar’s north-central highlands and a vital ecosystem, to near collapse, reducing its 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 by WWT and DWCT and our supporters led to an emergency appeal that has funded 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 August.
Harison Andriambelo, WWT’s Country Manager in Madagascar who co-managed the project with counterparts from DWCT and the local authorities, said:
"We are grateful to each and all people and stakeholders who donated and supported the construction of the dam. I find no option than building the dam quickly because the risk to wetland biodiversity 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, and wells would dry up. 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, the local company we hired to design and build the dam, who have surpassed all the difficulties and proven exemplary in 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.
Header photo: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
