Posted on October, 17 2002

Tunis, Tunisia – Recent preliminary studies by WWF show the presence of barbary deer outside fenced nature reserves in the Kroumerie-Mogod forests of Tunisia. This indicates the need for monitoring the status of the species in all the Kroumerie-Mogod region, and not just within the reserves as done previously. WWF carried out two studies, in June and September this year, to understand the status of barbary deer in the country. The studies, carried out in partnership with the local offices of the ministry responsible for the environment (Direction Générale des Forêts) in four areas in the Kroumerie forests, suggest that the deer are faring badly in the area. However, these are preliminary results and are only the first step in a series to monitor the barbary deer, to better understand its habitat and threats. “The barbary deer is the symbol of the Maghreb. Its status has attracted the interest of experts and scientists from all over the Mediterranean. The general consensus is that creation of new protected areas and better management of the forests in the Kroumerie-Mogod are needed for the continued survival of this majestic animal, ” says Faouzi Maamouri, the head of the WWF Tunis office. Barbary deer were once widespread in the Maghreb forests of North Africa, but have seen a dramatic reduction in recent years, mainly due to loss and degradation of their habitat. The only two locations where they are found in the wild are in the Kroumerie-Mogod forests of northwest Tunisia and in an extension of the forest in Algeria near the Tunisian border. Protection measures for the barbary deer in Tunisia started with the ban on hunting in 1963 and the creation of a barbary deer reserve of 417ha in 1966 in El Feija forest, which was subsequently declared a national park. Between 1978 and 1992 a reintroduction programme was put in place in the reserves of Ain Baccouche and Mhebès in the Kroumerie-Mogod region. The Tunisian region of El Feija has been twinned with Monte Arcuso in Sardinia, where, due to a good conservation policy, the population of rare Sardinian deer has increased from 80 to 900 in less than 15 years. Conservationists hope populations of the barbary deer can be similarly increased. The Kroumerie-Mogod region is amongst the richest ecosystems in the Mediterranean. Its forests are home to the extremely rare zen oak and the barbary deer, while corals, posidonia meadows, and sand dune habitats enrich its marine and coastal areas. The protection of this northern forest region is a key element of a WWF strategy to combat desertification in Tunisia and the Mediterranean. For further information: Sampreethi Aipanjiguly Communications Officer, WWF Mediterranean Programme Office Tel.: + 39 06 844 97 224 E-mail: saipanjiguly@wwfmedpo.org Faouzi Maamouri Head of Tunis Office, WWF Mediterranean Programme Office Tel.: + 216 71 707 238 E-mail: mfaouzi.wwf@gnet.tn