North African ostrich

A century ago, this ostrich inhabited the entire periphery of the Sahara, both North and South, over a total of 18 countries. Today, its wild range has been reduced to only four countries.

The North African ostrich is one of four recognized subspecies of ostrich. Reaching 2.75 m (9 ft) in height and weighing 150 kg (330 lbs), it is the largest and tallest living bird.

Because they are unable to fly, their wings, with their huge feathers, are only used for parading, fanning, or protecting their young.

Remarkable for its ability to adapt to the desert environment, the North African ostrich once inhabited the arid environment of the Sahara, the neighbouring Sahel, and the savanna habitats of southern Chad and probably even further south into Central African Republic, Cameroun, etc.

ID card

Scientific name:

Struthio camelus camelus

IUCN Red list status :

Vulnerable

Left in the wild:

Not evaluated

Distribution:

A century ago, the North African ostrich inhabited the entire periphery of the Sahara, over 18 countries. Today, its wild range has been reduced to only four countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, and Senegal) due to various threats. It has been reintroduced to Morocco and Tunisia.

North African ostrich conservation strategy in Niger

North African ostrich and ten new born chicks in Ouadi Rimé – Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, Chad. © Tim Wacher, ZSL

North African ostrich chicks in Iférouane facility, Niger.
© Sahara Conservation

Threats and challenges

The North African is facing a rapid ongoing decline over the past 50 years due to hunting for feathers and food, egg collection and habitat loss.

In the absence of urgent conservation measures, the North African ostrich could soon follow its cousin, the Arabian ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) to extinction.

Furthermore, the North African ostrich is certainly not a domestic bird and does not breed easily in captivity. Over the last decade, we have faced a series of issues in our breeding facilities in Niger, like egg fertility, chick survival, predation by crows, etc.

Sahara Conservation’s North African Ostrich Recovery Project aims to provide the framework, resources and technical support to restore to the wild this highly-adapted desert race of ostrich in Niger and Chad.