Inside the world’s largest stone forest
lemurs of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Inside the world’s largest stone forest. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Inside the world’s largest stone forest
Isolated and inhospitable, this huge collection of razor-sharp vertical rocks looks like the last place where wildlife would thrive. The colossal ‘Grand Tsingy’ landscape in western Madagascar is the world’s largest stone forest, where high spiked towers of eroded limestone tower over the greenery. But despite its cold, dangerous appearance, the labyrinth of 300ft stones is home to a number of animal species, including 11 types of lemur. ‘The rocks themselves are really sharp, they stick up like giant steak knives. It is one of the most difficult places I’ve ever explored.’
White lemur of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
As well as lemurs, the Tsingy de Bemaraha national park is also home to the small carnivorous falanouc, the ring-tailed mongoose, and several bats. More than 100 species of bird have also been recorded as living in the park, along with 45 species of reptile.
Its name, ‘Tsingy’ translates as ‘where one cannot walk’, due to the hazardous formations of razor-sharp pinnacles made from limestone which have been eroded by tropical rain.
Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez captured the beauty of the Grand Tsingy when he went there as part of an expedition for National Geographic.
Inside the world’s largest stone forest
Curious lemurs of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Grand Tsingy, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Inhabiting ‘Grand Tsingy’ lemurs, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Jumping lemur. ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Stone jungles of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Amazing landscape of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Stunning macro Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
Plants of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
The view from a distance. lemurs of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
lemurs of ‘Grand Tsingy’, western Madagascar. Photo taken by Explorer and photographer Stephen Alvarez
dailymail.co.uk
