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Saving One of Madagascar's Rarest Palms

A Save the Species Campaign of the International Paim Society

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About the Species

Ravenea louvelii Beentje is a rare and Critically Endangered palm, endemic to Madagascar. For a long time, the species was known only from a single location, the montane forest of Anamalazaotra (around 1,000 meters elevation), in the Central-East of Madagascar. Today, this area is managed as Mitsinjo Park, by the Mitsinjo Association, where fewer than ten mature individuals and several clumps of juveniles have been recorded.  Recent discoveries suggest a few additional scattered populations may still exist in nearby humid forests, but no comprehensive counts have ever been done.  

Why It’s Endangered

  • Rapid habitat loss in eastern Madagascar
  • Illegal and aggressive seed collection, sometimes involving felling seed-bearing trees
  • Low natural seedling survival
  • Reproductive challenges because male and female palms seldom grow close enough for pollination
  • Very slow growth and extremely small population size
  • Without intervention, this palm faces near-certain extinction in the wild.


What This Project Will Do

A 24-month conservation program led by the University of Antananarivo and the Mitsinjo Association, supported by the IPS.


1.  Locate and Document All Remaining Populations
    • Targeted surveys in Analamazaotra, Vohimana, Ankerana, and Andasibe-Mantadia
    • Mapping of all known individuals
    • Assessing age structure, sex ratios, and threats

2. Study Reproductive Biology

    • Monitoring flowering and fruiting
    • Assessing pollination success
    • Hand-pollination experiments to improve viable seed production

3. Grow New Palms for Restoration

    • Seeds collected from wild palms
    • Germination and growth trials in two nurseries:
    • Mitsinjo Park (in situ)
    • University of Antananarivo (ex situ)
    • Goal: produce at least 150 healthy young palms
    • Reintroduction into secure habitat and distribution to botanical gardens

4. Build Local Stewardship

    • Training guides and para-ecologists
    • School programs reaching more than 300 students
    • Educational posters in Malagasy, French, and English
    • Participation in local conservation festivals
    • Development of a five-year community-supported action plan


Who Is Leading the Work

The project is directed by Dr. Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, one of Madagascar’s leading palm experts and head of the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology at the University of Antananarivo.
The department is the country’s primary center for botanical research and conservation training.

Why Your Support Matters

Your contribution directly helps:

  • Protect a critically endangered species

  • Restore fragile rainforest habitat

  • Strengthen community-led conservation

  • Train the next generation of Malagasy botanists

  • Build long-term resilience for biodiversity in one of the world’s richest ecosystems

This campaign ensures that Ravenea louvelii does not vanish from Madagascar’s forests — but instead grows, recovers, and stands as a symbol of hope.


Join Us

Help secure a future for Ravenea louvelii.
Your support makes the difference.

    • Donate through the IPS Save the Species campaign
    • Share this story to raise awareness
    • Follow project updates on Palm Talk, Instagram, and Facebook


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