Mathieu Mahamoud-Issa

Promote bird conservation in Djibouti

​

Djibouti, situated in the Horn of Africa, is home to approximately 390 bird species. However, projects focused on birds, whether for research or conservation, are limited due to the scarcity of local individuals with expertise in ornithology. The absence of a bird club and opportunities for bird identification and survey training further compound this issue.

​

To address these gaps, the Association Decan has created different activities and training dedicated to public visiting the protected areas as well as University students of Djibouti. Different workshops have been conducted in the field with the financial support of African Birds Club. These workshops will impart skills in ornithology, covering bird identification, survey techniques, data reporting, and data archiving. Additionally, participants will receive training in passive acoustic monitoring. This initiative seeks to enhance the local community's and the youth`s practical knowledge in ornithology, potentially fostering community-driven conservation projects for birds and their habitats.

​

The association Decan also collaborates since 2024 with the Swiss Ornithological Institute Vogelwarte to monitor the bird migration in Djibouti each spring and autumn, especially to study bird’s diet. The aim is to better understand the importance of Djibouti as a stopover during bird migration and promote the preservation of their habitats and natural resources in the country.