Safeguarding Morocco’s Avian Treasures: Conservation Challenges and Triumphs

Sidi Imad Cherkaoui is an Associate Professor at the Scientific Institute in Rabat, Mohammed V University, Morocco, and an ornithologist with a strong focus on landscape ecology and waterbirds. He has extensive experience in nature conservation, having worked with international organizations like BirdLife International and WWF, and has led projects aimed at protecting endangered species of Birds and Mammals. He is also member of several technical commissions of AEWA, Raptors MoU and IUCN.

His talk will delve into the critical conservation efforts underway in Morocco to protect some of its most imperilled avian species. We will explore the precarious status of the Great Bustard, a globally endangered bird facing threats like habitat loss and infrastructure collisions, and the Northern Bald Ibis, whose last wild populations are found on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, a testament to dedicated protection programs. The session will also highlight the urgent plight of Morocco’s vulture species, including the griffon, Bearded and Egyptian Vulture, which have suffered severe declines due to poisoning and disturbance. Finally, we will discuss the remarkable reintroduction initiatives for the Red-necked Ostrich, a subspecies once extinct in Morocco, showcasing successful breeding and natural nesting within protected reserves. Understanding these challenges and successes is vital for the future of Morocco’s unique biodiversity.