IUCN Species of the Day: Djibouti Francolin

 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

 

Photo credit: Houssein Rayaleh

 

The Djibouti Francolin, Francolinus ochropectus, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.  It prefers the cover of dense vegetation found in the woodlands of Forêt du Day and the Mabla Mountain, Djibouti.

Djibouti Francolins are strugging to survive in Forêt du Day where the trees are dying if not already dead.  This may be a result of high levels of grazing (the forest suddenly had to contend with year-round grazing once the previously nomadic Afars settled in the area) possibly exacerbated by acid rain and climate change.  At mabla, the remaining stands of woodland have been heavily exploited for firewood and grazing.

Work is now underway to protect Forêt du Day.  To raise local awareness, brochures have been produced and distributed widely within schools, tourist centres, and government departments.  Plans for a community-based juniper forest restoration project are also underway.

 

Geographic Range of the Djibouti Francolin.Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

 

 To learn more about the Djibouti Francolin, please click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species by clicking their logo below.

 

 

Bookmark    and Share

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedin