On the Edge of El Feija's Deep Forest in Ghardimaou, a Herd of Barbary Deer Suddenly Appears
In a carefully designed clearing, visitors hold their breath at the sight of a spectacle that seemed impossible just a few decades ago. The mythical Barbary deer, also known as the Atlas deer, was considered extinct in the Maghreb region, a victim of deforestation, climate change, and uncontrolled hunting. In the 1960s, its territory had been reduced to a thin forest rectangle between Ghardimaou, Tabarka, Annaba, and Souk-Ahras in Algeria.
Tunisia, a Pioneer in the Restoration of the Atlas Deer
Today, thanks to coordinated efforts since independence, the species is reappearing in its original habitat. In 2016, Tunisia welcomed 23 deer and does from Spain as part of an ambitious reintroduction program. This ecological project, led by the General Directorate of Forests and supported by several international partners, has enabled the creation of specialized parks, including El Feija (Ghardimaou) and Aïn Baccouche (Tabarka).
Forest Authorities Estimate Progress
Forest authorities estimate that captive populations are progressing regularly, placing Tunisia at the forefront of Maghreb countries in terms of protecting the Barbary deer. Classified as "low risk" by the IUCN in 2000, the species remains fragile, requiring rigorous monitoring.
A Training Session in the Heart of El Feija Forest
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the silence of the forest gave way to the murmur of exchanges between journalists, forestry officials, workers, and conservators of the El Feija National Park. Their visit was part of a training session on biodiversity and natural resource governance, organized by the Tunisian Media Support Program (PAMT2), GIZ Tunisia via its PAGECTE program, the Ministry of Environment, and Tunisian Campers.
A Cervid with Multiple Secrets
The Barbary deer fascinates with its stature as well as its subtle adaptations. Its coat changes with the seasons, oscillating between a bright reddish-brown in summer and a gray-brown woven with shadows in winter. Fawns have white spots, sometimes persistent into adulthood, a unique signature that distinguishes it from its European cousin.
According to expert Faouzi Maâmouri, "the antlers of males fall every year, regrow, branch out, and tell the age, health, and living conditions of the animal." During the rutting season, the forest becomes a stage where rough calls, rivalries, and conquests intertwine. The dominant male forms a harem and mates with eight to ten does. After eight months of gestation, the fawns spend their first weeks motionless, camouflaged in the vegetation to escape predators.
Deer Antlers: An Undervalued Natural Resource
At the El Feija Forest House, built in 1908, a remarkable collection of deer antlers testifies to this living heritage. The General Directorate of Forests also holds a unique stock worldwide, which remains unexploited. However, these naturally fallen antlers are a mine of scientific information: the age of the animals, the state of the environment, and climate pressures.
They could also support a sustainable artisanal industry: knife handles, jewelry, sculptures, decorative objects. Their decomposition enriches the soil and participates in the mineral cycle of the forest.
However, access to this resource remains limited by the 1988 Forest Code, which prohibits families living in the heart of El Feija from benefiting from it. Foresters and inhabitants are now calling for reform to align the law with the country's ecological ambitions.
A Forest that Watches Over its Inhabitants
In El Feija, foresters, workers, and inhabitants work together to preserve this natural sanctuary. Their attachment is almost ritualistic. "Cooking deer? Never. It's forbidden, and prison awaits us," says "Nakhla," a 70-year-old villager, jokingly responding to a visitor's joke.
Despite persistent threats, the Barbary deer continues to regenerate in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. A living proof of the resilience of ecosystems when protection, political will, and science move in the same direction.
