Data Zone
Country/territory: Sierra Leone
IBA criteria met: A3 (2001)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 8,072 hectares (80.72 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2001 baseline)
Lake Sonfon (5,180 ha) is situated in a remote area in the mountainous north-east of the country. The nearest large town is Kabala, 60 km to the north. The lake is surrounded by hills, the vegetation of which comprises open grassland and wooded savanna, with fringing forest and, in some places, farmbush. Several small streams flow into the lake and these provide the main source of water for local communities. The lake is a centre of traditional beliefs and ceremonies for the local people.
Key biodiversity
See Box and Table 3 for key species. A total of 105 species have so far been recorded from this poorly surveyed area. More species of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome than currently recorded are expected to occur; among those which are known to be present is Coccycolius iris.
Non-bird biodiversity: Among mammals, Cephalophus niger (LR/nt), C. maxwelli (LR/nt) and Hexaprotodon liberiensis (VU) have all been recorded.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Sonfon and environs (Sierra Leone). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-sonfon-and-environs-iba-sierra-leone on 23/12/2024.