Wildlife of
Djibouti

Primary Threats

• Rising temperatures and more intense/variable drought amplify water scarcity, reduce vegetation cover in already fragile rangelands, and increase wildlife mortality during prolonged dry spells. In the marine realm, warming and heatwaves raise coral bleaching risk in the Gulf of Tadjoura and stress fisheries and seabird foraging conditions; sea-level rise threatens low-lying coastal habitats used by nesting and migratory birds.
• Most habitat loss is highly localized but impactful: urban/port expansion around Djibouti City and along key transport corridors (to Ethiopia) converts coastal flats and disrupts shoreline habitats. In upland refuges such as the Day Forest area, long-term decline in native forest cover is driven by drought stress combined with human use and grazing pressure, reducing habitat for endemic/regionally important flora and fauna.
• Overgrazing near settlements and water points depletes palatable shrubs and grasses, leading to soil exposure and reduced carrying capacity for both wildlife and pastoral livelihoods. Wood collection for household energy in some areas adds pressure on scarce woody vegetation. Water extraction (wells/boreholes) concentrates livestock and people, intensifying local degradation.
• Artisanal fisheries are important for livelihoods, but nearshore stocks can be strained by concentrated fishing around accessible coastal sites. Regional illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the wider Red Sea/Gulf of Aden can undermine management efforts, affecting Djibouti's coastal fish populations and food webs that support seabirds and marine megafauna.
• Port activity, shipping traffic, and coastal urbanization increase risks of oil/chemical spills, ballast-water discharge, and chronic marine debris (plastics) along beaches and reefs. Untreated or partially treated wastewater near urban centers can degrade nearshore water quality, affecting coral/seagrass habitats and coastal fisheries.
• Djibouti's strategic role as a logistics hub drives expansion of ports, roads, rail, and energy infrastructure. These developments can fragment terrestrial habitats along corridors, increase disturbance in sensitive coastal zones, and elevate spill and sedimentation risks during construction near reefs and shorelines.
• Coastal recreation, fishing activity, and increased boat traffic can disturb seabird nesting/roosting sites on offshore islets and along quiet stretches of coast. In desert landscapes, off-road travel and expanding settlements around key water points can displace wildlife from scarce refuge areas.
• In drought years, wildlife and livestock concentrate around the same scarce water and forage resources, increasing competition and the likelihood of retaliatory actions against predators or perceived competitors. Conflict risk is highest near pastoral communities where livestock losses or resource scarcity are acute.
• Opportunistic hunting can impact desert-adapted wildlife where enforcement capacity is limited and access improves via roads. Even low levels of offtake can be significant in arid ecosystems with naturally low population densities.
• Rangeland alteration through repeated heavy grazing and the creation of new/expanded watering points changes vegetation composition and encourages soil erosion. Coastal engineering (shoreline hardening, dredging associated with port works) can modify currents and sediment dynamics, affecting nearshore habitats.
• Maritime trade and shipping raise the risk of marine introductions via ballast water and hull fouling. On land, invasive or weedy species can establish around disturbed urban/peri-urban sites and along corridors, outcompeting native desert flora in localized areas.