Mauritania: its wildlife and a coastal park

Most of Mauritania's populations of large mammals have been exterminated or severely depleted by hunting. The Mauritanians usually do not hunt birds, however, and as a result the avifauna are protected, albeit somewhat passively. The Parc National du Bane d'Arguin is an exceptionally rich coastal area, attracting huge concentrations of waders in the European winter and impressive nesting colonies of birds in the summer, including eastern white pelicans, greater flamingos and royal terns. Although the birds are probably safe, the Park's mammals are not, and the last few dorcas gazelles need urgent protection from poachers.