Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve

The Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserve was established in 1988 in the state of Niger since 1991 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to civil unrest and political conflicts it was in 1992 placed on the Red List of World Heritage in Danger. With an area of ​​7.7 million ha, it represents the largest protected area in Africa

The reserve comprises many dry landforms that are shaped by the sandy Ténéré desert and the rocky Aïr Mountains. One sixth of the reserve is primarily used for the protection of rare Addax ( Addax Reserve ). Just over 100 of these endangered antelopes keep in the southeast of the area. Other large mammal species that survive in the reserve are the Dorcas gazelle, whose existence is given as 12,000 animals and the Barbary sheep, which is estimated at around 3500 animals. The Dama Gazelle is not equal rare with only about 170 copies. The scimitar-horned oryx was last detected in 1983, the dunes Gazelle has been spotted in the area first. Most large carnivores, like lions and wild dogs were eradicated at the beginning of the 20th century. Some cheetahs and striped hyenas hold, however, until today and feed mainly by feral donkeys. In addition, smaller predators like jackals gold, Fenneks, Rüppellfüchse, caracal and sand cats occur in larger flocks. Also Bandiltisse are detected. About 70 Green baboons and 500 hussars monkeys are found in the reserve. Other notable mammals are rock hyrax, porcupines and desert hedgehogs. The once domestic ostriches, whose stock was estimated at 1990 800-2000 animals seem to have been eradicated in recent years due to poaching. It was the last major population of the North African subspecies Struthio camelus camelus. Typical birds of the area include crown Sandgrouse, pigeons, barbets and larks. The Nubiertrappe and the owl also occur. A total of about 40 species of mammals, 165 species of birds and 18 species of reptiles live in the reserve. An amphibian species, but not a single species has been demonstrated.