Souss-Massa National Park

The Souss Massa National Park (Arabic منتزه وطني سوس ماسة, DMG Muntazah Watani Suss Massa) was founded in 1991. This includes the mouth of the Oued Sous and Oued Massa, which open the here in the Atlantic. The National Park is 340 km ². It is located on the Atlantic coast in south-west Morocco. To the north lies Agadir, south of Tiznit.

Fauna

Mammals

In the north of the conservation area were in a large fenced area Mhorrgazellen ( Nanger then mhorr ), a subspecies of Dama gazelle, scimitar-horned oryx and Addax, and the North African ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus ), which forms a subspecies of the African ostrich, settled again. Although The Addax was in historical times not native to the area, but live in large outdoor enclosures now (2007) over 500 animals. This home Sous -Massa the largest semi- wild herd of this endangered species, from where the animals are reintroduced in parts of their former distribution area, such as in Dakhla National Park. Also for the Mhorrgazelle provide the bulk of the reserve, reserve an important population center represents the Mhorrgazelle applies since 1968 as extinct in the wild. However survived seven copies in a private collection. From a breeding station in Almeria from these were then distributed to various zoos, for example, to Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin. Captive-bred Mhorrgazellen came as 1994 from the Munich Hellabrunn back Souss- Massa.

But even outside this fenced area occur several mammalian species, such as honey badger, wild cat, mongoose ( a Mangustenart ) Usual round leaf-nosed, Atlashörnchen, North African elephant shrew, Hoogstraal - gerbil and Berber stripes grass mouse. All along the banks of the Oued Massa, you encounter the traces of the wild boar, which ransacked the ground for food. Even the otter has been spotted, but this is unusual. Once the Cuviergazelle was at home here.

In Souss- Massa 275 different bird species were recorded, site fidelity, as well as migratory birds. Typical species found on the coast, include White Stork, the three species of herons ( egrets, herons and Rallenreiher ), terns, European Roller, Bee-eater and Barn Swallow. Huge flocks of migratory birds from Europe appear in the winter at the mouth of the Oued Massa. Up to 4,000 ducks, particularly Pintail, Shoveler and Pochard are attracted to the wetlands. However, Coot, Oystercatcher, Crane, Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Marbled Teal and Shelduck.

In the unused salt pans you meet on stilts, avocets and occasionally black stork and brown glossy ibis. 1980 discovered the subspecies Phalacrocorax carbo maroccanus of the cormorant in the Souss- Massa region. At the mouth of the Oued Souss you could even watch the endangered Slender-billed Curlew. Here also overwinter in the Netherlands originating Löffler and the Pink Flamingo. Likewise, Audouin and osprey were observed on the marsh.

In the steppes of Mediterranean Grey Shrike, Rotkopfwürger, Senegaltschagra, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Diademrotschwanz, Owl, Magpie, Palm Dove, Häherkuckuck and the widespread Bulbul occur.

The driest inhabited areas Rennvogel, stone curlew, little bustard and houbara bustard. Also double spur francolin and Arabs Trappe were already observed. The rocky coast is the refuge of Brown -throated Sand Martin, Eleonora's Falcon and Lanner Falcon. Here is also one of the last occurrence to find the forest Rapp, which breeds from March to September in three breeding colonies. Because of their rarity and threat of forest Rapp is still run by the IUCN as threatened with extinction. However, in zoos around 2,000 animals are kept and reintroduction programs in Austria, Spain and Morocco to run.

Flora

The low-lying coastal area consists of several isolated water lagoons and spits, which are mainly covered by Schmalblättrigem cattails, rushes and foxtail plants. On the elongated dunes you meet Zypergräser and Yellow restharrow. Inland, there are eucalyptus, savanna trees and argan tree, which, for example, go into spurge. A large area is also covered by succulents, which only occur on the Atlantic coast of Morocco and Mauritania, for example, Mesembryanthemum plants, euphorbia, kalanchoe, old man herbs and beans like Jochblatt. The vegetation of large parts of the steppe-like garrigue consists of Hauhecheln, beach and lilac -breasted beaks.