Flora and Fauna
The Gambia
The Lamin Stream, which flows through the forest, was first given protection in 1916 when it was fenced off to create a water collection point. This enclosure led to a noticeable increase in wildlife and plant life within the forest. It became the first nature park among six protected wildlife management areas in The Gambia. The park’s flora features a classic mix of savanna, grassland, and forest landscapes.
Among its diverse fauna are three primate species: Red monkeys, Velvet monkeys, and Patas monkeys. Other mammals include squirrels, antelopes, porcupines, African palm civets, mongooses, galagos, and various rodents like cane rats. The park is also home to a range of reptiles, including monitor lizards, Nile and dwarf crocodiles, spitting cobra, black cobra, python, puff adder, and green mamba. With more than 270 bird species, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. At one end of the park are several enclosures serving as an orphanage for needy animals, including one housing a pack of hyenas.
Quick Facts
- Abuko National Park
Abuko National Park
Abuko National Park was the country's first designated wildlife reserve.
Flora at Abuko Nature Reserve
The flora consists of a typical savanna and gallery forest landscape. Typical trees, up to thirty feet high, are: oil palm, mahogany, iroko and anthocleista procera.
Fauna at Abuko Nature Reserve
There are a three primate species: vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys and patas monkeys Other mammals include antelope, squirrel, porcupine, African palm civets, mongooses, galagos and several types of rodents.
- Abuko Nature Reserved
Gambia's Eco park