Ras Mohammed National Park (6219)
Egypt, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Ras Mohammed National Park

Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.7333, Longitude: 34.2500

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 73

Area of KBA (km²): 124.3054

Protected area coverage (%): 99.76

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Ras Mohammed is a headland at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, overlooking the juncture of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. It is composed of uplifted coral reefs, which in places rise steeply from the sea forming high cliffs. These are interspersed with sandy bays and some intertidal flats. A stand of mangrove Avicennia is found at the southern end of Ras Mohammed. Coral reefs fringe the headland in almost all directions. Although Ras Mohammed is primarily a marine park, its boundaries encompass a considerable diversity of desert habitats, including sandstone mountains, gravel-plains, wadis, and sand-dunes.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. Ras Mohammed’s primary importance is as a bottleneck for migratory soaring birds, which concentrate in the area in large numbers and regularly stop to rest. Ciconia ciconia is the most numerous and prominent soaring bird occurring at Ras Mohammed. In autumn, birds of this species tend to concentrate in southern Sinai, where huge flocks build up at Ras Mohammed. A total of 275,743 individuals was counted over 27 days in August and September 1998, but the actual number of birds passing through was estimated to be 390,000–470,000. Many of the birds congregating in the area descend to rest on the sandy beaches, particularly on the western side of the peninsula, overlooking the Gulf of Suez. Smaller numbers also rest on higher ground in the surrounding desert. An estimated daily average of 12,000 birds rests at Ras Mohammed during peak autumn migration. After resting for some hours, the birds attempt to make the crossing to the western side of the Gulf of Suez. However, it appears that most of the birds seen at Ras Mohammed cross the Gulf further north near El Tor. Other prominent migrants concentrating at Ras Mohammed regularly include Pelecanus onocrotalus, Ciconia nigra, Milvus migrans, Buteo buteo and Accipiter brevipes. Spring migration is much less pronounced and no significant concentrations have been noted. Notable breeding species include Egretta gularis, Falco concolor, Pandion haliaetus and Charadrius alexandrinus. Non-bird biodiversity: Marine life: Ras Mohammed is primarily important for its marine life and unique coral reefs that are considered to be some of the most spectacular in the world. Reptiles: both Chelonia mydas (EN) and Eretmochelys imbricata (CR) occur off Ras Mohammed regularly, and the latter breeds locally.

Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ras Mohammed was declared a National Park by Prime Ministerial Decree 1068/1983, adjusted by Prime Ministerial Decree 2035/1996. This is Egypt’s oldest protected area. Since 1989, the EEAA, with support from the EU, has been developing the park management and infrastructure, making it the country’s most famous and best-managed protectorate. Storks have been colliding with the wires of the communication tower in the park. The main threat to migrating birds is to the east, at Sharm El Sheikh, a rapidly expanding tourism resort along the southern Sinai coast. Garbage, waste-water and green areas are attracting birds from the main migration route to land at Sharm El Sheikh, where they are subject to a variety of man-made threats. Thousands of storks die at Sharm and others may die while migrating further south, from injuries or illness sustained while in the vicinity of this site.

Additional information