SCF is helping implement Senegal’s strategy to conserve and restore its Sahelo-Saharan wildlife. Our program is carried out in partnership with:
- Senegal’s Direction des Parcs Nationaux
- Parque de Rescate de la Fauna Sahariana (Almeria, Spain)
- Exotic Wildlife Association (USA)
Funding support for SCF inputs comes from:
- Exotic Wildlife Association
- Second Ark Foundation
Two protected areas are currently the focus of Senegal’s strategy: the Réserve Spéciale de Faune de Guembeul (720 ha), which was established in 1983 in coastal Acacia woodland some 15 km south of St Louis, and the Réserve de Faune du Ferlo Nord (287,000 ha), established in 1972 in south Sahelian wooded grassland in the centre of the country.
In 1984, seven dama gazelles were brought to Guembeul from Almeria to establish a founder population. In 1999, Guembeul received 8 scimitar-horned oryx from the Hai Bar Zoo Reserve in Israel, followed in 2002 by a further four in two groups from Vincennes Zoo in Paris. In early 2007, the European EEP under Spanish coordination sent 20 “Saharawi” dorcas gazelles to Guembeul. These were followed in 2009 by another group from Spain.
Guembeul functions primarily as a holding and captive-breeding facility but because of space and land-use constraints is not suitable for more extensive breeding and release work To complement Guembeul a second facility was developed in 2002 at Katané in the Ferlo North Game Reserve. It is at Katané that SCF is currently focusing its efforts.
Since 2002, the original Katané enclosure (440 ha) has received oryx and dama gazelle from Guembeul. And in early 2009, dorcas gazelles from Guembeul were also released into the pen. In May, 2009, SCF helped increase the area of land under protection to over 600 ha by installing a new adjoining fence 4 km in length. Materials were generously provided by the Exotic Wildlife Association. The new enclosure will have an immediate impact on habitat regeneration and increase capacity to hold and mange the captive wildlife more efficiently. Next steps are under consideration and could include the import of new dama gazelle and oryx stock from the United States to bolster the genetic pool.
In addition to the fencing project, SCF is keen to help Senegal develop a solid strategy for its Sahelo-Saharan wildlife conservation programme, including supporting efforts to protect Ferlo’s remaining relict populations of the vulnerable red-fronted gazelle and ostrich.
With many species at the brink of extinction, SCF’s top priority is saving what remains. It is vital to get resources into the field and create positive incentives to conserve. Campaigning vigorously against unsustainable use, SCF strives to find solutions that will allow people to draw benefit from their natural resources without compromising their long-term survival.
Thanks to zoos and private collections, the scimitar-horned oryx would be extinct. In an environment of growing commitment, and with an impressive number of dedicated partners, SCF is actively involved in the restoration of desert wildlife to places from which it disappeared long ago. In all its work, SCF adopts a science-based approach based on the best available information and expertise.
Deserts are not barren wastelands. They are geographically spectacular, culturally rich, and home to an amazing array of exquisitely-adapted plants and animals, many of which require urgent attention. SCF works to dispel the ignorance surrounding deserts, to raise awareness of the extinction crisis facing many species, and to mobilize support for desert conservation.