Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
The site contains rocky hills with wooded slopes within the Irano-Turanian and Sahara-Sindian Desert biomes and includes both the Makhool foothills that extend from the western borders of Al-Fattha (SD6) toward Asherkat and the steppe situated on the eastern side of the main highway linking Baiji and Asherkat. Two habitat types were surveyed: desert shrubs vegetation and steppe-herbaceous vegetation. The geology consists of marls, siltstones, sandstone, limestone, and gypsum; and the soil is clay.
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys, 35 bird species were seen. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and European Roller Coracias garrulus (both Near Threatened) were recorded on passage, and three Irano-Turanian and eight Sahara-Sindian biome-restricted species were breeding, but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3.
Other Important Fauna: Local hunters and farmers have reported large packs of Grey Wolf Canis lupus near Makhool that attacked sheep at night, and they successfully hunted several during 2009 and 2010. Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena have been killed by locals. Hunters have also reported Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (Vulnerable). A Wild Cat Felis silvestris was killed by a farmer near Baiji.
The site is rich in different reptile species, including many Lacertidae species such as, Arnold's Fringe-fingered Lizard Acanthodactylus opheodurus. The Levant Skink Trachylepis aurata wasobserved near the vegetated slopes of Al–Mussahag. The following important snakes were recorded: Large Whip Snake Dolichophisjugularis, Collared Dwarf Snake Eirenis collaris, Persian Horned Viper Pseudocerastes persicus, and Desert Cobra Walterinnesia morgani.
The northeastern edge of the site borders the Tigris River and steppes that are situated in Kirkuk. A former presidential palace (Al-Abid) is situated at the top of Jabal Makhool. The site provided breeding habitat for the globally threatened Saker Falcon Falco churrug in the early 1990s (Allouse, 1960), and it was a traditional site for trapping species for Arabian falconry. It is also a suitable habitat for other birds of prey (Al-Sheikhly, 2011, 2012).
This site includes an area called Al-Fattha “the Opening”, which is a narrow gap between the Himreen foothills that extend from the eastern edge of Jabal Makhool. Crossing the western ridge of Makhool the habitat changes frequently between the two biomes. Dry steppe and arid land is the dominant habitat of the site as viewed from the Himreen foothills on the highway road entering Kirkuk Governorate. The Baiji Oil and Gas Field Development Station, one of the largest oil and gas facilities in the northern part of Iraq is situated to the south of the site.
Zewiya Village is located on the western ridge and this area features dry grasslands and arid country extending along the Makhool foothills on their northern and southern fronts. Several archeological sites, dating from the Assyrian to the Ottoman eras near Zewiya attract local visitors.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site was exposed to coalition bombing during 2003, and the remains of rockets and destroyed weapons are still present, including many unexploded mines and missiles. This was considered a high threat and future survey teams should proceed cautiously, especially at higher elevations. Despite the presence of munitions, the remains of Al-Abid Palace are a popular and crowded tourist site, especially during holidays. Scattered new settlements and human development were observed near Zewiya Village on the western slope and any large sheep herds graze on the steppes. Pollution from the Baiji Oil and Gas Field, which is situated close to the western edge of the site, is a very high threat to the site. Garbage left by local tourists was observed along the road toward Al-Abid Palace. Hunting and trapping of wildlife is practiced especially focused on birds of prey and carnivores and was considered a high threat.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jabal Makhool (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jabal-makhool-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.
