First the bad news. Five years after the first inventory on the occurrence of antelopes and gazelles of six Northern African species listed as “endangered” in Appendix I of CMS, it has become evident that the numbers of animals in the wild are in further dramatic decline. However, there is some good news, too. At the recent CMS Seminar of Range States, IGOs, NGOs and individual experts, it was found that a stable number of animals of most of the species are held in captivity in zoos and private parks all over Europe and North America.

At the meeting, which was held in Agadir, Morocco from 1-5 May 2003, the status reports for the respective species were updated, and the Djerba Action Plan was updated and amended. The participants received information on the status of the development and carrying out of projects to implement the Action Plan and collected proposals on what further projects or identified species, habitats and regions should be developed.

In a brief excursion to the Souss-Massa National Park, 30 kilometres south of Agadir, experts from zoos and aquaria in Europe and North America established in that a third of the world’s resources of addax (Addax nasomaculatus) are found in this park. They informed the Moroccan authorities and the participants of the meeting that the value of this captive population is extremely high: The animals are in their natural surroundings, stay together in a few herds in the same place, can develop in natural surroundings and do not require transport from one continent to another. Moreover, at least the European scattered small stocks are at risk of catching diseases such as foot-and-mouth and BSE which, if transferred to Northern Africa, could cause a major disaster..

Representing the Host Government, Mr. M. Anechoum, the Head of the Moroccan Department for Waters, Forests and Combat against Desertification, welcomed the participants of the meeting and promised to provide all assistance to make the it a success. He achieved this by providing excellent conference facilities as well as a group of experienced and dedicated staff members such as Director General of the same Department Dr. M. Ankouz, the CMS Scientific Councillor, Dr. H. El Mastour, and almost the entire staff of the Souss-Massa National Park administration headed by Dr. M. Ribi. The team of the Belgian Royal Institute for Natural Sciences (IRSNB) saw to the technical organisation. The meeting was followed by the 5th Meeting of the SSIG (Sahelo-Saharan Antelope Interest Group).

picture above:
from left to right M. Anechoum, M.Haffane, A. Müller-Helmbrecht, Dr. M.R. Gouin (Agence Française de Developpement)

picture below: Dr. R. Beudels-Jamar de Bolsee (IRSNB), Scientific Councillor Belgium