IUCN Management Category IV (Managed Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 3.12.07 (Western Sahel)

Geographical Location 76km north of Dakoro in Maradi Départment. 14°59'-15°21'N, 7°01'-7°19 E.

Date and History of Establishment 25 April 1955, by Law No. 3120/S.E. Also a 'fôret classée'

Area 76,000ha

Land Tenure Government, with limited public rights

Altitude 405-478m

Physical Features The area comprises fixed dunes with intermediate plains between dunes and a drainage system of wadis, run-off channels, pans and temporarily flooded pools. There is no permanent surface water. Wadis include Tafassaoua, Tougoutou and Aza. Major temporary pools are Mecca Rakouma, Altema and Tchigira. Soils are mostly soft to compact sands, with a mud admixture in the depression, and temporarily inundated pools and pans. Mean annual rainfall is 327mm (118-507mm), with the rainy season occuring between May and September, August being the wettest month.

Climate No information

Vegetation North Sahelian wooded steppe and grassland predominates. Grassland species are mostly annuals including Aristida mutabilis, Cenchrus biflorus, Brachiaria spp., with perennials including Panicum turgidum and Chrozophora. Wooded steppe species include Balanites aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis, A. senegal, and Sclerocarya birrea. Wooded depressions and run-off channels comprise species such as Bauhinia reticulata, Guiera senegalensis, Combretum glutinosum, and Acacia nilotica. Grasses and annual forbes are economically important to the region's nomadic population.

Fauna A number of threatened species have been recorded including cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (T) (very rare within the reserve, probably not resident), Dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas, and red-fronted gazelle G. rufifrons. Scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah (T) and dama gazelle Gazella dama (T) are already extinct in this area and giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis has disappeared since 1970. Predators include jackal Canis aureus, striped hyena Hyaena hyaena (very rare within the park, probably not resident), and sand fox Vulpes pallida. Patas monkey Erythrocebus patas is also present. Smaller more common species include honey badger Mellivora capensis, zorilla Ictonyx striatus, and aardvark Orycteropus afer. Bustards, especially Saville's pygmy bustard Lophotis ruficrista and white-bellied bustard E. senegalensis, are not uncommon. The ostrich Struthio camelus totally disappeared from the reserve about 1972-1973, but is now returning in small numbers.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities There are no visitors or facilities and the reserve is currently closed to the public. It has a very small potential for tourism until wildlife is reconstituted.

Scientific Research and Facilities A programme of ecological monitoring was initiated in 1981 (IUCN/WWF Project 1624).

None

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management No information

None

Management Constraints There is poaching and intensive livestock rearing. Both activities are not only specifically forbidden within the reserve in accordance with its decree, but the former is also banned nationally. Some cutting of large trees for livestock browsing and also local consumption of wood products is evident. Lack of funds and manpower make permanent or effective control of the reserve impossible.

Staff None specifically employed within the reserve, but some surveillance and repression.

Budget None

Local Addresses

Station des Eaux et Forêts at Dakoro

References

Avant-Projet de Classement - drawn up 30 September 1954.

IUCN/WWF Project 1624. Niger, Addax and Oryx.

Rapport de Mission Eaux et Forêts - August, 1979.

Date April 1985