A report by environment organisation traffic has revealed that at least 350,000 trees have been illegally felled inside protected areas in Madagascar over the last five years.

According to Ceoafrica, the organisation adds that within the last five years, at least 150,000 tonnes of logs illegally were exported, including to China, Malaysia and Mauritius.

The report says one of the reasons the illegal logging is carrying on is because of a failure to impose punitive penalties on well-known traffickers, adding that Madagascar is home to rosewood and ebony, which are in high demand, particularly in Asia, because of their attractive appearance.