ROVING REPORTERS: Ducking disaster — what storm-battered Madagascar teaches us about conservation resilience
Madagascar is often reduced to headlines of disaster as cyclones intensify and ecosystems come under pressure. But that is only part of the story. From a drained lake that nearly wiped out an endemic duck, to storm-affected coastal habitats, this is also a story of resilience, community-led recovery and the practical lessons Madagascar offers on adapting to a changing climate.
Madagascar, a country often associated with disaster headlines due to intensifying cyclones and ecosystem pressure, also showcases resilience and community-led recovery. Cyclone Gezani, which struck Madagascar on February 10, 2026, compounded the impact of Tropical Cyclone Fytia that had just occurred 10 days earlier. The cyclone affected 424,000 people across 25 districts, killing 59 and injuring 804.
One of the many areas affected by the cyclone was Baly Bay, where the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust protects a small population of the critically endangered ploughshare tortoise. Durrell's country director in Madagascar, Aaron Hawkins, recounts the challenges they faced during the aftermath of the cyclone. Despite the infrastructure damage and destruction of homes, property, captive center infrastructure, and trees, all staff and animals were safe.
In addition to the human impact, the cyclone left a trail of destruction on fragile ecosystems. Further inland, Lake Sofia was already experiencing a crisis when Gezani struck. The lake had already been drained by heavy storms, endangering the Madagascar pochard – the world's rarest duck. Felix Razafindrajao, coordinator of the Madagascar pochard project, has been working to restore the species for the past two decades.
After the cyclone, the lake collapsed, prompting the community to build a dam to help refill it during the rainy season. The restoration efforts have shown signs of success, with fish populations rebounding and the Madagascar pochard following suit.
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