In agreement with Tunisian authorities,
Jebel Serj NP was selected as the appropriate area
to begin this reintroduction project
Jebel Serj National Park
The National Park is in North-West Tunisia, in Jebel Serj delegations Siliana-South and the governorates of Oueslatia Siliana and Kairouan. It is part of the mountain range named Dorsal that ranges from the Southwest to Northeast. It was established in March 2010 on an area of 1,720 ha. , and represents an extension of the Natural Reserve of Jebel Serj that extends over 100 hectares. This Natural Reserve was created in 1993 to primarily protect a relict population of Montpellier Maple (Acer monspessulanum), a very threatened tree species in Tunisia.
The highest point of the park rises to 1,357m a.s.l. The countless cliffs provide excellent refuges for many birds of prey, mainly in spring.
Fauna
In Tunisia, …in recent years we have seen it [the Cuvier’s gazelle] in the forest of Gafour near Sidi Ayed and the Jebel Harraba, the Ouenza in the forest of Kessera at Jebel Serj and in the chain of Byzacène
Monchicourt, 1918
The establishment of the Reserve and the National Park of Serj has brought both a specific enrichment and a quantity of wildlife.
We can meet especially mammals such as
- Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), a very rare species
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa),
- African Golden wolf (Canis anthus),
- Fox (Vulpes vulpes),
- Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon),
- Hare (Lepus capensis),
- Hedgehog (Erinaceus algirus),
birds such as the
- Shoed eagle (Hieraetus pennatus),
- Ferocious nozzle (Buteo rufinus),
- Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus),
- Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus),
- Short-toed snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus),
- Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara),
- European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur)
There are also reptiles like the Montpellier’s snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). A large population of bats seems also to occupy Jebel caves.
Flora
The vegetation is particularly rich in Jebel Serj. An extremely dense Mediterranean forest occupy the area with:
- Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis)
- Evergreen oak (Quercus ilex)
- Cork oak (Quercus suber)
- Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua)
- Olive silvestry (Olea europaea var sylvestris)
- Green olive tree (Phyllirea latifolia)
- Spiny broom (Calicotome villosa)
- Prickly juniper (Juniperus oxicedrus)
- Mastic (Pistacea lentiscus)
among others tree species, including the Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum)
On the other hand, plant species like:
- White stonecrop (Sedum album)
- Corsican stonecrop (Sedum dasyphyllum)
- Black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum‐nigrum)
- Polypody (Polypodium vulgare)
comprise a perennial herbaceous layer influencing most the ecosystem as both food providers and organic contributors to the soil.
Eco Museum
An Ecomuseum has been built to showcase important elements of Jebel Serj natural heritage. There the visitor can learn about its environment, flora and fauna.
Some observation towers have been built to enhance visitors’ experiences with the gazelle’s way of life as well as to provide them with a fascinating view of the canopy and a great part of the National Park
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You can send any comment or question about the gazella cuvier's reintroduction project in Tunisia to the following email emoreno@eeza.csic.es or in the following contact direction:
Estación Experimental de Zonas Aridas
Ctra. de Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería (Spain)
Tel: (+34) 950951120
Tel: (+34) 950281045
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