Mystery Hoofed Mammal
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of Madagascar.
Etymology: Malagasy (Austronesian), “beast
whose ears hide its chin.”
Variant names: Mangarisoaka, Tokatongotra.
Physical description: Donkeylike animal. Long
ears. Round hoof like a horse’s.
Behavior: Brays like a donkey.
Tracks: Hoofed.
Habitat: Rainforest.
Distribution: Ankaizina Mountains; Bealanana
and Manirenja Districts in the north-central
highlands; north of Tôlagnaro in southeastern
Madagascar.
Possible explanations:
(1) Surviving Malagasy pygmy
hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus lemerlei and
H. madagascariensis) that supposedly died
off within the past 1,000 years or so. See
Tsy-Aom by-Aomby.
(2) Unknown wild donkey indigenous to
Madagascar.