The Antsokay Arboretum began in about 1980, on the initiative of a Swiss amateur botanist, Hermann Petignat. The arboretum is situated 12 km south-east from the town of Toliara, about 2 km north of the Tropic of Capricorn and 3 km from the waters of the Mozambique Channel. The initial area acquired was a few plots of land composed of degraded limestone and red calcium sand. Also at Antsoakay there is a small hamlet where limestone is extracted to make quick lime. The area of 40ha is surrounded by hedges. Here, Petignat, busied himself, initially, with the most threatened species, by taking cuttings and seeds and trying his hand at propogation. Also there were numerous collecting expeditions into the surrounding habitat to collect plants and seeds. Study, identification and descriptions of new species are an integral part of the reserve. The Antsokay Arboretum is entirely devoted to the conservation of plants from the arid southwestern part of Madagascar. There is close collaboration with many institutions devoted to environmental conservation, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, WWF, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, etc. Currently, after more than 25 years of dedication, protection and care, the Arboretum offers visitors a condensed vegetation experience, presenting a typical spiny thicket biome. Part of the area (4ha) is open to the public and is arranged as a botanical garden with name plates identifying species. More than 900 species are represented here, of which 90% are endemic to the region and 80% are of medicinal value. Among them, many succulent species are also recognized as being highly threatened from constant deforestation and bush fires. Entry fee to the Arboretum is Ariary 7.000 (USD3.50) per person, including guide fees. A small restaurant serves meals and refreshments.