When visiting Algeria, don’t be surprised to see wild animals near the cities. Many of the wild animals in Algeria live in close proximity to urban areas. Read our guide for more facts and information…
The most common animals in Algeria include wild boars, jackals and gazelles. You may also spot the national animal, the fennecs (foxes). Jerboas are also common sites.
There also panthers, leopards and cheetahs, but these are seldom seen. The only monkey native to Algeria is the Barbary madaques, also seen seldomly. There is an abundance of snakes, monitor lizards and other reptiles.
Exotic Birds
If bird watching is among your interests, you will find that Algeria is a haven for this activity.
There are some 400 known species of birds in Algeria, including 13 globally threatened species. There are 34 types of duck, swans and geese found here. There are 25 different types of hawks, 22 species of gulls and many types of loons, owls, shearwater bird, pelicans and larks. Algeria is also home to the ostrich and flamingo.
Endangered Species
Algeria is home to a number of endangered species. These are currently protected under Algerian law. Perhaps the most endangered species of them all is the serval. This is a beautiful wild feline that is larger than a domestic cat but smaller than a leopard. This feline has the longest legs in the cat family and has leopard like spots. There are only a few of these creatures that still exist in the northern part of Algeria.
Another greatly endangered species is the Mediterranean monk seal. These animals inhabit caves and live in rocky outcrops along the coast of Algeria. Their numbers have been decimated by over fishing in the area and by pollution. Attempts to increase the monk seal population have been slow. This is because monk seals do not give birth very often and when they do they usually have only one pup.
Barbary madaques, Algerian wild dogs and a few species of bats are also on the endangered list.
Extinct Species
Although Algerian wildlife protection programs are in effect, they have come too late for some species. The Barbary lion is an example of one of these. The Preservation Station in Algeria is dedicated to the captive breeding of tamed captive felines and reintroduction of their offspring into the wild. This is now being done with the Barbary lion which has not been seen in the wild since 1922.
Other animals not seen in the wild for over ten years include the scimitar orys and the dama gazelle. Attempts are being made to use captive animals in these species to repopulate the wild population.
