Algeria adopts tougher laws to protect endangered species

2006-10-27

Algerian officials are increasingly understanding the need to offer more effective protection for endangered species. New laws are being made to avoid the irreversible loss of the country's rich diversity in flora and fauna.

By Mohand Ouali for Magharebia in Algiers – 27/10/06

[File] The new laws may help protect gazelles, which are an endangered species in Algeria.

The Algerian government has recently been issuing new legal protections to protect endangered species in Algeria. The action is a response to months-long national press campaign, denouncing the authorisation given to emirs in the Gulf to hunt wild bustard and gazelle. The animals are threatened with extinction and are supposed to be protected by law. Other species, such as the goldfinch, a songbird native to Algeria, are also being hunted excessively without much protest.

Agriculture Minister Saïd Barkat presented a new draft law for protection of endangered species on 19 October to the National Council.

The new law classifies species according to the threat of extinction and includes a list of 23 species (13 mammals, seven birds and three reptiles). The classification was agreed upon in light of the "growing threat of extinction facing wild animals in Algeria." The law provides for "severe sanctions against hunting, trapping, transporting and trading in species", but under exceptional circumstances, allows some of them to be used for scientific purposes, to facilitate breeding or for nature parks.

Barkat had previously announced to the People's National Assembly that a national commission for the protection of threatened animal species would be created in conjunction with the law.

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The commission will ensure "the protection of certain animal species threatened with extinction". It will include animal health and wild animal specialists, whose stated task is to "examine measures to protect these species and to define the areas in which they live and the environments in which they breed".

On the same day the commission was announced, parliamentarians passed the draft order setting out the procedures for the protection of endangered animal species.

Barkat declared that the new system "ensures general protection for all the species concerned without setting out special measures according to the severity of the threat of extinction".

Barkat has also recognised the need for a law to protect the most-threatened species. The minister is planning an agreement on international trade in endangered animal and plant species, which will set out three lists and three levels of protection. He has also said that a law to protect plant life is being prepared to "protect the rich diversity found in Algeria and to respect the international commitments which the country has signed".

This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.
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comments

amina Posted 2007-05-20

After reading Magharebia, I understand that I am able to talk about any subject. That is why I want to discuss politics and art, especially in Algeria.

amine achouitar Posted 2007-05-24

nice

nisa Posted 2007-09-26

Thats good good

HARZALLAOUI JAMEL Posted 2007-10-27

I would like to know all the types of animals that have gone extinct in Algeria. This would help me in what I am working on for work. Thank you for you help.

نوال Posted 2007-11-08

Something great.

babi Posted 2007-11-11

We are an organisation working for the protection of animals in Algeria. We go by the name of El RIFK. We would be extremely delighted to take any suggestion you may have on anything concerning the animal rights in Algeria. We welcome you to our blog.

URL removed by the editor.

OUADFEL Djillali Posted 2007-12-02

As far as agriculture and development go, all that I can say is that, even if Algeria is doing 5 times as much as France and 50 times as much as Morocco, it is still far far behind in its annual production of fruits and vegetables. According to a study I have been preparing via daily analysis since December 20, 2006, Algeria alone could provide for the world demand in strawberries. If this is the case, then it could do much more with other fruits and vegetables. If you want, I will provide you with my study. I can fax or email it to you. –Mr. Ouadfel Djillali

dana Posted 2007-12-31

I love what I just read. I would really like for us to pay more attention to our flora and fauna. I would really like more information on what kinds of animals have disappeared and what species need protection in Algeria. -Thank you

brahim Posted 2008-02-11

I want a report about endangered species in Algeria with pictures.

bilal Posted 2008-02-16

I would like to know what laws protect endangered species in Algeria.

boulares Posted 2008-02-16

This article is well organised.

Djiha Posted 2008-03-06

To Babi: You web address was taken down. Is there another way to contact your organisation? Thank you

cherdant Posted 2008-03-07

We need to act faster to protect nature.

Anonymous Posted 2008-03-09

Very nice.

arbi Posted 2008-03-17

Why are the animals endangered? Please, a new topic. Thank you my brother. Thank you very much.

Benfetima Tamoud Posted 2008-04-02

Hello, Please, I would really like to know what endangered, rare, etc. reptilian species there are in Algeria, or to have the decree talking about this. I am waiting for your response ASAP. -Sincerely

sigaa Posted 2008-05-01

I am proud of being Algerian.

hakima Posted 2008-05-11

There is a virus by the name of Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) that has led to the death of almost the entire local population of rabbits in conservation at the Babi ali Algiers farming institute. The animals that survived were slaughtered and their carcasses were consumed. This decision was made by a veterinarian who unfortunately ignored the MRC’s regulations. VHD is as serious for rabbits as Newcastle is for birds. What is funny is that no one is talking about it.

Hakima Posted 2008-05-13

VHD, deadly to rabbits, was publicised on ITELV in Baba Ali, Algiers. It led to the death of the entire local population of rabbits in captivity. Nobody is speaking about this. Knowing that we do not vaccinate against VHD, I hope there will be an investigation and that measures will be taken to prevent its spread.

LYNDA Posted 2008-06-06

I am looking for an Algerian animal-protection organisation that can get things moving. Thank you

farah Posted 2008-06-14

I am very interested in what you are doing. I would like to work in an association as a volunteer. I am a student in the arts and graphic industry, I am 19 years old, I live in Hydra, and, obviously, I love animals.

linada l'animal Posted 2008-09-15

I am a wildlife painter and I am looking for a wildlife organisation to help. Here in Algeria, there is far too much massacring.

Ghanem Posted 2008-11-12

Hello and SOS!- I want to notify you of something and I hope that those concerned will react: there is an animal dealer who has opened shop. He is in “les Sources” district in Kouba, Algiers, residing on a little dead-end alley that ends in stairs going up to the villas just behind the shops that line the road to Diar Laafia Annassers. This dealer sells birds and squirrels in captivity. God bless your parents, since when are squirrels caged animals? Their place is in the trees. Oh wise ones, if you even exist in this country, then make this carnage, which is on the verge of insanity, stop. I hope that the people concerned will react, because I have asked all around and no one seems to be bothered by this situation. I do not know whom to address, so I have seized this chance to denounce what is going on. Help the poor animals and God will repay you.

عبد الكريم Posted 2008-12-21

Salam alikum. I am from the region of the East. I want more explanation and assistance about how to bring and breed a rare animal in Algeria. I am an agricultural investor. I thank you for this site.

juvntus@live.fr (haroun) Posted 2009-01-03

that good thank you

medjouel Posted 2009-01-20

Thank you.

منال Posted 2009-01-21

We learn a lot from you and we benefit a lot.

عمار Posted 2009-01-25

I want to know how to protect animals in my country Algeria, may God reward you with good.

me Posted 2009-02-14

thanks.....

ايمان Posted 2009-02-23

I am looking for extinct animals in Algeria in general but I haven't found anything yet. Can you provide me some information please.

deamboy Posted 2009-03-09

I am looking for a list of protected animal and plant species in Algeria. Can anyone offer me some help?

هشام Posted 2009-04-08

This is a great site.

Anonymous Posted 2009-04-08

Thank you Moroccans.

عقاف Posted 2009-05-03

Very great. I want to be a member in an association for the protection of animals.

nacer Posted 2009-05-08

Salam alikum. I am a veterinarian. I love animals so much. I thank you for this site. I hope that through it people will care about the protection of animals. Therefore, we must inculcate these ideas in children at a young age so that they grow up inside them and we make a developed society. Thank you.

baya Posted 2009-05-17

I would like to denounce the horrible site I saw yesterday, 16 may 2009 at the Ben Anoun Zoo. The elephants are dying of hunger, the camels are sick from lack of food to eat, and both have no water to rehydrate. They walk around in circles in the scorching heat. I asked a guy working there why the elephants have no water. His only answer was that they live in Africa and like the heat. If no one does anything, all of these animals are going to die under atrocious conditions. Ever since yesterday, this vision has not left my mind. It makes me sick. Please, do something to help them.

خديجة Posted 2009-07-18

I think that the topic is very, very great.

linda Posted 2009-07-28

Hello- Please, I would like the telephone number or address of Algiers' SPA/ I am a biologist and I am looking for work in this field. -Thank you

كمال Posted 2009-08-18

Salam. I want to set up an association for the protection of endangered species. Does any one know there is a sea seal in Algeria? Does anyone know that there is the panther in the south? Do you know there are squirrels in Jbalchouna, many species of gazelles, wild goats in Hoggar, foxes, wolves, fennec? Do you know that some residents in marine cities killed the sea seal because it cuts their ropes? Some eat the fennec because they think this will make them live longer? Some bring princes to hunt gazelles in the desert with Algerians? My heart is broken with sorrow for these animals that cannot speak and say enough backwardness in our minds.

FERNANDE Posted 2009-08-24

Hello- I spent my vacation in Jijel, Algeria. I saw the suffering of the cats who wandered the streets looking for food. I fed quite a few cats, including a very affectionate little kitten. Unfortunately, vacation passed quite quickly. I left quite a few boxes with a neighbour whom I trust, but I think she turned them back out. I was then told that the she was damned and that there was a centre for animal protection. Meanwhile, I am preparing the documents to bring this kitten here. -Sincerely

Lydia Posted 2009-09-17

It is quite simple: in my humble opinion, the species of animals that are the most endangered in Algeria are those of falcons and other such birds as well as monkeys, which are frequently sold on the streets. We are not yet at Morocco's standing, but we are getting there! This makes twenty or so years now that I have hoped to make a charitable organisation in Algeria to this regard. (I am now 26 years old, so that should give you an idea.) But, my increasing lack of confidence in humans has pushed me further and further from this cause for animals. To be honest, the animals do not have the means to protect themselves and are not responsible for their precarious situation, as men are pushing them further and further from their habitats or even hunting them. My question boils down to a quest for information on what the necessary steps are to get this project going. Thank you in advance. Thank you also for building my morale back up, proving to me that the Algerians too have big hearts and are concerned by this cause. As for the street cats and dogs, it is unfortunately not very probably that this problem will be resolved, as "Arab" culture does not include domestic animals as full members of the family. The result is a lack of awareness and care in castrating the animals in order to avoid the multiplication of cats, which, even though they are domestic, are not kept indoors and are thus subject to reproducing at level I would even say are dangerous to the females. As for dogs, after a few years go by and there is a lack of means to feed them, the solution is often to just open the door. Let us hope that all this will change.

el erifek Posted 2009-10-10

So, prove your conscience and help us, because this would be helping them!

said Posted 18 days ago

Praise be to God. Peace and prayer be upon the messenger of God. Peace be upon all Muslim brothers. I am a young Algerian man. I want to nurture animals which cannot protect themselves from their enemies (such as rabbits, birds…). As to the statements of some brothers about dogs and cats: These animals can find their food in dustbins without getting hurt. Despite this, they must be protected and we must protect ourselves from them, especially from street dogs which nearly eat humans in many cases, especially people who go out in the early morning (for dawn prayers, for example). Dogs once nearly ate an old man. Finally, I would like to know where cages and rabbit food are sold, because I love raising them. Thank you, everyone. God bless you. I ask God to take us back to Islam nicely, because we will find everything in religion. Yes, everything, even compassion for animals. Don’t forget us in your prayers. Don’t forget while performing dawn prayers and other prayers. Our last prayer is praise be to God, the Lord of all creatures. Salam alikum.

nawel Posted 18 days ago

Hello- I love what you do. I do not know how to express myself. I am a young girl, age 16. I love animals of all sorts. It makes me very unhappy to see that some species are disappearing because of us. I am so concerned about this that I want to make people aware by whatever means I can. My dream is to become a veterinarian and help animals. I would like to work with an organisation in spite of my young age. Thank you and stay strong!

Anonymous Posted 14 days ago

May God guide you. I said, "What kind of animals live in Algeria?"

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