Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This site, also spelt Las Anod–Taleh–El Chebet, is a complex of proposed protected areas in north-central Somalia, to the north of the town of Garoowe. It includes a part of the Nugaal valley, through which runs a large seasonal watercourse that drains an extensive area of the northern plateau south-eastwards to the Indian Ocean. The area is principally semi-desert grassland and shrubland (c.600,000 ha) with some
Acacia–
Commiphora bushland and thicket (c.200,000 ha). There are some semi-permanent pools along the Nugaal valley. The site is rich in succulents.
See Box and Table 3 for key species. Of the Somali–Masai biome species some, including
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus,
Alaemon hamertoni,
Calandrella somalica,
Pseudalaemon fremantlii,
Pseudonigrita cabanisi and
Onychognathus blythii, have been recorded from few other IBAs nationally.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals of conservation concern that occur, or which used to do so, include Acinonyx jubatus (VU), Equus africanus somalicus (CR), Oryx beisa (LR/cd), Gazella soemmerringii (VU) and Gazella spekei (VU).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area comprises a proposed complex of National Park (Lascanood), Wildlife Reserve (Ceel Chebet) and Grazing Reserve (Taleex). The area suffers from excessive grazing pressure from domestic stock, particularly around the few semi-permanent pools in the area. Woodland remnants are under threat from conversion to charcoal.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lascaanod - Taleex - Ceel Chebet (Somalia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lascaanod--taleex--ceel-chebet-iba-somalia on 23/11/2024.