The camel, king of the desert
In the past, the dromedary was the most valuable asset of nomadic peoples, their sign of wealth. It is an undemanding animal and could not be more useful. It provided transport, milk and even meat in cases of extreme poverty. Despite the sedentarization of the population, and the progressive disappearance of the salt caravans, replaced by trucks, more profitable, the dromedary remains very present. Every year, after the rainy season (during which it may not rain), the dromedaries rush to the freshly grown leaves and plants. The well-fed male camels enter a spectacular rut. Their obsession is unique: to impregnate as many females as possible. They devote themselves only to this quest and forget to feed themselves for sometimes two months! To calm their ardour, the shepherds must either tie them up or load them up to the maximum to "channel" their energy.
No large wild mammals
The time is long gone when the inhabitants of the region used to engrave on the rocks the silhouettes of giraffes, lions, elephants or other species of large mammals so representative of Africa in the European imagination. However, stories from the end of the 19th century still praise the richness of the local fauna. Although hunting is no longer practiced, the climate has changed and the aridity has forced many of these species to move to other areas. Djibouti still has some very interesting species, easy to approach (if they are diurnal) because they have not been hunted for a long time. Although they are not shy, these animals are quite discreet, especially during the day when it is very hot. Hyenas (striped or spotted), jackals (common or black-backed) and small fennecs are the most important predators. They can be found everywhere, on the Great Bara, around Lake Abbe for example. They feed on rodents, gazelles and warthogs. Cheetahs and panthers, once numerous around Moussa Ali, in the Mablas, have disappeared.
Birds of a feather
More than 340 species live in or through Djibouti. The journeys and hikes in the semi-desert areas allow you to see some passerines, turtle-doves or running birds. Birds are even more numerous in the forests and gardens of the north of the country (Goda, Mablas, le Day). You will see many birds of prey, colourful passerines, weaverbirds, noisy hornbills. Let's also mention some very poetic names such as the Bruce's pigeon, the Paradise flycatcher, the yellow-sided zosterops, the cardinal woodpecker, the Arabian bustard, the black-headed barbican, the gonolek... The few wetlands constitute very frequented meeting points. The richest area is undoubtedly the plain of Doda in the north. Its pastures meet the food needs of many species. Djibouti also sees the transit of migratory flows of birds which each year link Eurasia to Africa. Finally, two endemic species of birds have noble names: the Djibouti francolin and the Djibouti beaumarquet. The first is a forest species also known as the Day chicken, or Day francolin, which has become a national symbol since it adorns the 250 franc coins. The Afars call it koukaéyta. The francolin lives in the Day and Mablas forests. However, the species is highly threatened by the disappearance of the vegetation cover, which makes it vulnerable to predators such as the caracal, the eagle or the varan, which is fond of its eggs. Another bird name unique to Djibouti: the Djibouti beaumarquet, also known as the beaumarquet melba, is a passerine bird of the estridae family. It can be found in the Mablas mountains in particular.
Desert areas: thorns and opportunism
"The Little Prince asked, 'What are the thorns for? ». The lost pilot, who was too busy, replied at first: "Thorns are of no use, that's pure malice on the part of the flowers. " The Little Prince did not believe him, and he was quite right. "I don't believe you! Flowers are weak. They are naive. They reassure themselves as best they can. They think they are terrible with their thorns... »". (The Little Prince
, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1943). Here, living conditions are extreme and the flora, like the animals and men, must adapt to them. Because of the heat, the plants defend themselves against evaporation of the meagre water resources. Thorns, which have a smaller surface area, replace the leaves. This is one of their weapons. The mimosaceae, which constitute a large part of the trees of Djibouti, defend themselves in this way, with thorns of all sizes, tiny or long, varnished or rough. Acacias, mimosas and gum trees are the main thorns of the country. The acacia, a true symbol of this so-called extreme environment, is found throughout the territory. Its shape (which varies according to the species), its thorns, its "alliance" with insects and bacteria which, it is said, ensure its protection against herbivores, testify to its ability to adapt. Grasses grow in the same stony areas as thorny plants. One can also see tamarisk, euphorbia, ricinus and a unique and very rare species of orchid (region of Ali Sabieh). Djibouti is also characterized by areas where vegetation is totally absent: salt of Lake Assal, clay of Grand Bara. Other areas of desert appearance are on the other hand waiting; many plants live there in the state of seeds... which wait for the slightest rain or dew to germinate.The Day, an exceptional forest
The Day is a primary forest (also called "fossil") that allows us to imagine the flora that covered the region but also the mountains of Arabia or the Sahara ... 4,000 years ago. More than 360 species of the most varied plants have been recorded here, which thrive in the coolness and humidity retained by the relief. Of course, we are not talking about an equatorial forest, but about green landscapes that contrast strongly with the rest of the country. Here abound jujube trees, ficus, wild olive trees, giant juniper trees (the Day juniper), strangler fig trees or dragon trees with a very particular look (also visible around Mount Arrey near Ali Sabieh). The rare Bankoualé palm(Livistona carinensis), visible at the bottom of the wadis that wind around this village in the Goda Mountains, is a species as rare as it is spectacular. Walking around this area, you can't miss this 20m tall tree, straight as an i, with a thin trunk and only a tuft of dishevelled leaves on top. It was only found in three sites around the world: El Mintaq in Hadramaut (Yemen), Carin (Northern Somalia) and Bankoualé. Now that it has disappeared from the first two sites, the Goda Mountains are its last refuge. There are a few hundred specimens.
Oasis of life
The marshy areas around Lake Abbe, the Kalo marsh, the Allols, and the Doda plain are oases of life for wildlife (birds in large numbers) and livestock. These areas are flooded for varying periods of time and are used as pastures for herds of goats and camels. In the Allols, the Hyphaena thebaica shrub (doum palm) is used to make toukoul (nomad huts) and palm wine.
In the cultivated areas of the country, one can admire plants whose names make Europeans dream. In the gardens of the small oases of the Goda Mountains, bananas, papayas, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers, limes and palm trees grow. Ambouli, on the outskirts of Djibouti City, is a sort of market garden area for the capital. There are colorful and fragrant flowers (jasmine, khadi, hibiscus...). In squares of earth, fruits and vegetables grow under the palm trees.
Do not expect in Djibouti vast palm groves like in Tunisia or Yemen. But you can enjoy the shade of the palm trees in Dikhil (a very old palm grove) or Loyada (by the sea). Half of the country's total arable land is located to the east and north of Obock, in a region that is unfortunately difficult to access and not very developed.
Mangroves, fragile areas
It is a grouping of mainly woody plants, which develop in the tidal zone of the low-lying coasts of tropical regions. The four main areas of mangroves in Djibouti are located west of Djibouti-City, along the coast, around the Musha Islands, at Godoria (25 km north of Obock), considered the most beautiful, at Khor Angar and Ras Siyan (between Obock and the Eritrean border). These half-air and half-amphibious forests are essential for the underwater and island fauna (birds, crabs, rats, insects). The intertwining roots of the various mangrove species are an inexhaustible source of food, a popular habitat and breeding ground. These fragile areas must absolutely be protected, because here a good part of the underwater species are perpetuated (just like the coral reefs).
Marine biodiversity: a treasure to be protected
With nearly 890 animal species and 17 plant species, the seabed is exceptionally rich. But Djibouti, although relatively unaffected compared to other regions of the world, is not immune to the general trend. Approximately 40% of the oceans and seas are directly impacted by human or human-induced activities (coral bleaching, ocean warming and acidification, depletion of marine resources, pollution, etc.). Aware of the richness of its marine waters, the Government of Djibouti has been working for several years with development partners (notably UNDP) to implement policies and programmes to protect its marine biodiversity.
