Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A1 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 89,558 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | medium | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
The site is situated c. 60 km to the north of Rutba in northwestern Anbar province. The site is a natural depression in the western desert of Iraq and it surrounded on its southern and eastern parts by elevated rocky ground and cliffs (called Al-Afaeif), which form one of the main landmarks of Al-Ga'ara
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys, a total of 24 species were recorded. In addition the site had breeding populations of six Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3.
Other Important Fauna: Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena (Near Threatened) has been reported by locals. Gray Wolf Canis lupus attacks on local animal herds have been reported and considering the desert landscape this suggests the Arabian race arabs. Reptiles observed included Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard Uromastyx aegyptia; Blanford's Short-nosed Desert Lizard Mesalina brevirostris, and Arabian Horned Viper Cerastes gasperettii.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ga'ara (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gaara-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.