Hassi Messaoud

Unlike other migratory birds, storks stop each night to feed and rest. This explains their presence near water points south of Hassi Messaoud in the Sahara. They do stop and find refuge in the oasis before continuing their long journey. They left Europe in August before the bad season to join the hot African countries. The juveniles remain there three years and reached sexual maturity, leaving Africa to join their region of origin. Adult storks, for their return to Europe every spring. The goal of this migration is essentially food because in the temperate latitudes, food is less abundant in winter. Every day, they can travel nearly 400 kilometers, using updrafts. These waders are protected in Europe but in the case of a migratory bird species conservation requires that they are also protected during their wintering in Africa. Protection of nature organizations, authorities and researchers from European and African countries work together particularly with the association SOS Stork following through satellite movements of storks.