Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site lies to the north of the coastal town of Hobyo (Obbia), a little way inland from the Indian Ocean, and consists principally of semi-desert grassland and shrubland. It also includes some areas of coastal dunes which are fixed, vegetated and mostly 20–60 m high.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The site incorporates the type-locality of
Spizocorys obbiensis. Although, to date, only a relatively small number of Somali–Masai biome species has been recorded, these include some, such as
Mirafra collaris, which occur at few other IBAs in Somalia; and the list is undoubtedly incomplete.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of conservation concern that occur, or which used to do so, include Panthera leo (VU), Acinonyx jubatus (VU), Hyaena hyaena (LR/nt), Oryx beisa (LR/cd), Ammodorcas clarkei (VU), Madoqua piacentinii (VU), Gazella soemmerringii (VU) and G. spekei (VU). The area is also important for a number of the plants endemic to the coastal strip.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site has been proposed as a Wildlife Reserve. The area is subject to heavy seasonal grazing by domestic stock. Fuelwood-cutting is also a threat to woody vegetation.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hobyo (Somalia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hobyo-iba-somalia on 22/11/2024.
