Such a diverse fauna
As in many African countries, the Atlas lion, cheetah, oryx and elephant are now extinct in Morocco, but there are still some felines to be seen, such as the Barbary leopard, the caracal lynx and the sand cat, which are also on the verge of extinction. However, as you travel around the country, you are sure to come across mules, goats, sheep, horses and camels, often roaming freely, sometimes on the roadside, sometimes in the middle of the city. In the High Atlas and Middle Atlas, you will have to go out at night to observe foxes, jackals, weasels, porcupines and more rarely hyenas. Nevertheless, during the day, it is possible to see many species, including the easily observable Gétulie squirrel, and the mouflon, at more than 2,000 metres above sea level. The only macaque living outside Asia, the Barbary ape, also known as the Barbary ape, is one of the country's flagship species, now threatened with extinction. It can be found in the forests of Ifrane and Rif, in the wild, and on the Jamaâ El Fna square in Marrakech, where they sadly serve as photo accessories for tourists.
The camel, king of the desert
Nicknamed the Arabian camel, the dromedary is the emblematic animal of the Sahara, with nearly 70,000 individuals listed on its territory. It was introduced into Morocco around the 4th century and upset the nomadic habits of the Berber tribes as soon as it arrived. With a stronger bone structure than its Saharan counterpart, resistant to the burning heat and long camel rides, it enabled these peoples to develop their conquest project and to promote trade with the populations. Although still used in the Souss and in the South as a means of locomotion, it is mainly used today to take tourists for a ride, on the beaches of Tangier, in the Moroccan desert or in the valleys of Drâa and Dadès. With the Moroccan camel, everything is the object of a real respect that borders on worship. Its long hair provides, during its annual moult, the elements for making solid carpets and clothes; its milk, richer than that of cows and goats, is a prized food; its proverbial sobriety allows it to remain up to four days without drinking (its hump is noticeably smaller); its nostrils close when the wind rises, which allows this desert vessel not to stop when the simoun blows; its feet, equipped with round pads, prevent it from getting stuck where even the most modern 4x4 drivers take out their sand shovels; its excrements themselves prove to be salvific in case of snake bite! These are certainly advantages that compensate for its irascible character, its appalling breath and its insatiable appetite for everything that drags (grasses, clothes, hats, wire...).
In addition to the famous camelid, the desert is home to many animal species, some of which will give you the shivers. This is the case of the horned viper or its cousin, the Erg viper, which can be found in the regions of the Tighmert oasis, Tarfaya, Merzouga and Laâyoune. But don't worry, they only come out at night! While walking through these long stretches of golden sand, you can also see the largest mongoose in Africa, called the Ichneumon, the desert hedgehog or the fennec.
The most varied herpetofauna in North Africa
As for reptiles and amphibians, Morocco has an astonishing herpetofauna, which includes no less than 125 species and subspecies, among which 22 are endemic. It is also one of the most threatened categories of animals with 18 species at risk, due in particular to animal trafficking or their use in traditional pharmacopoeia. We can quote for example the Greek turtle, the common chameleon, the cobra and the striking viper, which we find for some prisoners in cages for commercial purposes. A practice that is totally illegal since a law dating from July 2011, aiming at the protection of wild species, both fauna and flora. Between the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, the marine fauna is just as diverse, comprising no less than 7,100 species identified to date. In addition to micro-organisms and invertebrates, the waters contain nearly 1,200 fish and marine mammals, 236 of which are endemic. One notable species is the critically endangered monk seal, a small colony of which survives in the Dakhla National Park, south of the Western Sahara. As for the sardine, grouper, red mullet and tuna, these fish are directly threatened by overfishing. But measures have been put in place to impose a biological rest for some of these species.
An exceptional avifauna
Between resident and migratory birds, Morocco is a delight for ornithologists, with nearly 500 species recorded. You will easily meet several individuals of gangas, these birds with colourful plumage living among others in the desert areas, sparrows on the Ourika and Ouzoud side, various varieties of traps in the hamadas and regs as well as redtails of Moussier, between Essaouira and Agadir, and in the argan grove of Souss. Not to mention the large number of egrets and heron-guards that populate the territory, and storks, perched atop minarets or on the ramparts of the kasbahs. The most remarkable bird in Morocco? Without a doubt, the bald ibis with its black crest and long red beak. Of this endangered species, there are only around 500 individuals left on Moroccan territory, which have been spotted among others in the Souss Massa Park, near Agadir and in the hollow of the cliffs of Tamrit, where new breeding sites were discovered in 2017. This is good news for ornithologists, who see a steady increase in its population. Another surprising species to be discovered on the Atlantic coast of Morocco: the little penguins, the last living species of the Alcidae family! In addition to the bald ibis, there are nearly thirty endangered species on Moroccan territory, such as the bearded vulture, the great bustard, the crested cormorant and the marbled teal. However, other species have appeared in Morocco or have expanded their breeding grounds. This is the case of the kestrel, the jackdaw, the pale swift and the falcinella ibis. To have the chance to observe a maximum of birds, there are some strategic points not to be missed: the ornithological reserve of the island of Mogador, facing Essaouira, the Valley of the Birds, south of Boumalne, the reserve of Moulay Bousselham or the National Park of Souss-Massa, an important passage for migratory birds.
An eclectic vegetation
Essentially of Mediterranean type, the vegetation varies from one region to another, influenced by the varied climates of Morocco. It is then a real succession of landscapes, covered with olive trees, vines, oaks, pines, junipers, cedars and thuyas, which parade through the country. If the vegetation is mainly observed in spring and autumn, poppy fields and saffron fields brighten up the ochre paintings of the South while lavender perfumes the undergrowth. There are a large number of irises, hyacinths and also roses, of which a valley is named at the foot of the High Atlas. Occurring near the mountains or in the middle of the desert, oases are spontaneous plant formations nestling in the hollow of a wadi. From Figuig to Missour, via the oases of Skoura and Finnt, they cover 15% of the country's surface and generally follow the rivers, becoming veritable green flows in the middle of arid landscapes. The palm grove is the other essential figure of the Moroccan desert, with its ingenious irrigation system that allows the expansion of the fields. It is in the Dades and Draa valleys that the best dates are produced.
Argan and olive trees: two well adapted species
Endemic to Morocco, the argan tree grows naturally in the wild in southwest Morocco, between Agadir, Taroudant, Tiznit and Essaouira. It has only been cultivated for over 20 years to produce the finest argan oil, known for its many cosmetic virtues. Its often gnarled trunk is reminiscent of the olive tree, but unlike the latter, it has large, short thorns (2 or 3 cm) and produces a fruit the size of a walnut, a favorite treat for goats who, like true acrobats, climb the branches to feast as they should. Inside is a nut containing up to three kernels, from which argan oil is extracted. Another species traditionally grown in the region is the olive tree. A great inhabitant of the Mediterranean climate, it's only natural to find it in Morocco, where its fields cover a surface area of over one million hectares. It is found in the irrigated areas of Oudja, around Fès and Marrakech, in the mountainous areas of Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima and Tétouan, and in the Safi region, near the Atlantic coast. With an annual production of almost 217 million tonnes of olives, Morocco produces a quality oil and ranks 9th worldwide.
A threatened biodiversity
From the fauna to the flora, Morocco surprises by its great diversity, varying with the landscapes. But this biodiversity remains, as everywhere else, fragile, due to climate change, degrading ecosystems, and poaching of which many animals are victims. In addition to the creation of national parks and the publication of new laws protecting species, the country will have to focus, among other things, on the protection of its natural environments, real treasures of nature.
