Abuko Nature Reserve
The Abuko Nature Reserve ( German Abuko nature reserve) with a size of about 102 acres of the most famous nature reserve in The Gambia.
Topography
The in the year 1968 nature reserve is located about two miles south of metropolitan Kombo-St. Mary Area in the West Coast region and is on the South Bank Road, which continues on to Brikama in the south, to reach out. It is located about twenty kilometers south of the center Serekunda removed in the place Abuko. The site has nearly a rectangular base and runs, as seen from the entrance, to the southwest to near the airport Banjul International Airport.
The approximately one hundred acres ( the figures vary ) large nature reserve lies on both sides on the banks of the small river Lamin Bolong, which is a tributary of the Gambia River. Through several smaller dams, thereby forming the ponds, it flows in a northeasterly direction to the mangrove forests. Through the periods within the year, between rainy season and dry season, the size of the Lamin is wavering. In the dry season the river bed dries completely out and the pond, the Bambo Pool ( Bambo is called in the language of Mandinkas crocodile ), had clearly lost face.
The nature reserve is only to explore on foot; on the signposted walking tour, which is about three kilometers long, are a few observation points, where you can hide and take pictures of the animals in peace.
History
The nature reserve was created at the source of Abuko, which is later to the small river Lamin. Through the fence for water collection in 1916, the gallery forest and the stock of game compressed enlarged markedly. Residents took advantage of the terrain and secretly procured through the fence access. They let their cattle graze, won palm wine and poached. In 1967 when a cat also joined in the hunt, the residents hoped the help of forest officials Eddie Brewer. The officer made a first-hand picture of the site and was thrilled to find this piece of tropical rainforest in the surrounding savannah landscape.
With the support of Brewer, who was appointed Conservation Director later, was actually classified in March 1968 by the Government of the Gambia the site as a nature reserve. In 1978, the site of 73 acres has been expanded to 102 acres and with the help of the international conservation organization World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the park was protected by up to three meters high fence.
The fence was renewed in 2007 with a 8.9 million Dalasi ( approximately 254,000 euros ) expensive investment. In the past, animals fled from the area and have been spotted in the nearby towns.
Flora
The flora consists of a typical savanna and gallery forest, and this accounts for a third of the area. The nature reserve is the most extensive botanical example throughout the country. Typical trees that are up to thirty meters high, are: African oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), African mahogany ( Khaya senegalensis ), Tali ( Erythrophleum guineense ), Iroko ( Chlorophora regia) and Anthocleista djalonensis. A dense green carpet over dead trees has covered the liana ( Saba senegalensis ). The Mandinkas they call Kaba and its fruits are edible.
Fauna
At one end of the grounds are several enclosures, these serve as an orphanage for needy animals. Among them is an enclosure in which a pack of hyenas (Crocuta crocuta ) is held. For the visitor, they are fed, in which case they have to fight over the spoils with the vultures themselves. In another enclosure you can see lions up close, they no longer come in Gambia in the wild but before. Chimpanzees, which have previously been reared in the reserve are now reintroduced to the Baboon Iceland. In addition, you can watch bushbuck, several species of monkeys and tortoises.
In the reserve itself you are likely to monkeys, for example, vervet monkeys and hussars, encounter. In addition, porcupines find bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus ), duikers, galagos ( Galago senegalensis ) and Nile crocodiles ( Crocodylus niloticus ) and several species of snakes.
The West African region of Senegal and Gambia is known for a very species-rich deposits of many luxurious birds. Approximately 270 different species can be observed here good, the BirdLife International lists the following birds for this habitat:
- Rotschenkelsperber (Accipiter erythropus ) Ahantafrankolin ( Francolinus ahantensis ), White spot Rail ( Sarothrura pulchra ), Guineaturako ( Tauraco persa ), Elstertoko ( Tockus fasciatus ), termites Woodpecker ( Campethera nivosa ), scissors tail swallow ( Psalidoprocne obscura ), swamp Greenbul ( Thescelocichla leucopleura ) Uferbülbül ( Pyrrhurus scandens ), Graukopfbleda ( Bleda canicapillus ), Grey -throated Nicator ( Nicator chloris ) olivine - Camaroptera ( Camaroptera chloronota ), green jacket Sylvietta ( Sylvietta virens), Grünhylia ( Hylia prasina ) Schäpperwürger ( Megabyas flammulatus ) Senegalparadiesschnäpper ( Terpsiphone rufiventer ), Red-bellied sunbird ( Nectarinia coccinigaster ) Zweifarbenschwärzling ( Nigrita bicolor), red-breast - Samenknacker ( Spermophaga haematina ) and Rotkehlweber ( Malimbus nitens ).
Tourism
The Abuko Nature Reserve is a great attraction for tourists. Of the more than 100,000 tourists enter the country annually in the country, about one-third also visit this nature reserve. For entry into the protected area, a moderate entrance fee is required, where there is still a significant discount for the local population.
In the Darwin Field Station, about 300 meters from the entrance, is located in the reserve, a small natural history exhibition. The building was thoroughly renovated in 2004, after the 30 -year-old had numerous repairs needed. The building is also the headquarters of the Makasutu Wildlife Trust.
The reserve with the Darwin Field Station is also the destination of many local schools. This Gambian youth will learn how important is conservation.
The BBC documentary from 1989 Jewel in the Sun ( German title: The Jewel in the Savannah ) focus on the 30-minute compilation of the flora and fauna of the Gambia and to a large extent the Abuko Nature Reserve.