(cryptoprocta refox)
The Fosa, sometimes spelled Fossa, is the top predator in Madagascar and is believed to have evolved some 20 to 30 million years ago from a mongoose like ancestor. It is about the size of a large dog but with short powerful legs and a very long tail. It is widely but sparsely distributed throughout native forested regions, both dry and rain forests but is absent from the central highlands where all the native forest has been destroyed. Fosa are extremely agile climbers and are equally at home hunting in trees as on the ground. Their main prey is mammals, anything from small shrews and rats to lemurs as large as a sifaka. They are active both day and night though peak hunting activity occurs under the cover of darkness when often they will ambush a sleeping lemur.
We had a reasonably good sighting of a Fosa at the Swiss Camp at Kirindy NP. Here an animal has become habituated to the camp noise and lights and regularly patrols through the camp area. One of our group who decided to have a late breakfast was rewarded with the sight of a Fosa strolling past the restaurant hut in broad daylight. Our best view however was of a pair of Fosa mating in a big tree at Mantadia NP. The pair had been seen the previous day and our local guide quickly relocated them for us. Mating occurs over several days with the pair staying in close proximity. The copulation is noisy and aggressive with much grunting and snorting. Truly an amazing sight.