Jebel Zaghdoud

Jebel Zaghdoud National Park is located in Kasserine Governorate in west-central Tunisia, protecting a limestone mountain massif adjacent to the better-known Jebel Chambi. Covering approximately 7,600 hectares, the park safeguards a pre-Saharan highland ecosystem that serves as an ecological corridor connecting the Chambi massif with other highland refugia in central Tunisia. The park protects important populations of Barbary sheep and contributes to the regional water catchment.

The park supports Barbary sheep on its rocky slopes, wild boar in the scrubland zones, and red fox, jackal, and stone marten as common carnivores. The rocky cliff faces provide nesting habitat for peregrine falcon, Barbary falcon, and eagle owl. Barbary partridge is abundant in the garrigue. The park's position adjacent to Chambi contributes to its biodiversity through wildlife movement between the two protected areas. Various lizard and snake species inhabit the warm rocky terrain.

The vegetation reflects the sub-humid to semi-arid transition, with Aleppo pine woodland on the more accessible slopes, garrigue of rosemary, thyme, and various cistus species, and open esparto grass steppe at lower elevations. Pistacia atlantica grows on rocky ridges. Wild olive and Zizyphus lotus occur in the transition zone. The park's altitude and the orographic precipitation effect give the upper slopes a more diverse flora than the surrounding lowland steppe. Spring wildflower displays are noteworthy.

Jebel Zaghdoud, like the adjacent Chambi, is composed of Cretaceous limestone belonging to the western Tunisian Atlas fold belt. The massif forms a NE-SW trending anticline with steep slopes dissected by dry wadis. Geological features include exposed limestone strata, karst springs along the mountain base, and scree slopes on the steeper flanks. The mountain lies within the active structural zone where the Saharan platform interacts with the Atlas fold belt.

The park has a semi-arid Mediterranean mountain climate with annual precipitation of approximately 300-400 mm, significantly more than the surrounding plains. Summers are hot (35-40°C at the base) but the summit remains cooler. Winters are cold with frost and occasional snow on the summit. The brief spring season brings the most rainfall and the best conditions for wildflowers and wildlife observation. Summer heat limits comfortable visitation to early morning and late afternoon.

The Kasserine region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the Capsian culture extending into this zone. The area formed part of the hinterland of the Roman city of Cillium (Kasserine) and was used for olive cultivation and timber extraction. Like the broader Kasserine area, the mountain's landscape was shaped by Roman agricultural expansion and subsequent centuries of pastoral use. The World War Two battle of Kasserine Pass occurred in the immediate vicinity, though not within the park boundaries.

Jebel Zaghdoud was established as a national park to protect its Barbary sheep population and as part of a broader effort to create a network of protected highland areas in central Tunisia. Its proximity to Chambi National Park creates a conservation corridor of ecological value. Management coordinates with the Chambi park administration for wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching activities. Scientific surveys have documented the park's flora and fauna in cooperation with Kasserine regional university institutes.

The rocky mountain landscape provides excellent terrain for hiking and Barbary sheep observation. Raptors are frequently observed soaring on thermals above the ridgeline. The park can be visited in combination with adjacent Jebel Chambi, providing complementary highland landscapes. Birdwatching for species characteristic of the Tunisian Atlas highlands is rewarding. The Kasserine Plain below the park offers views of the broader landscape context.

The park is accessible from Kasserine city, approximately 20 km to the northeast. Kasserine has bus connections to Tunis (approximately 250 km) and basic accommodation. Basic tracks penetrate the park perimeter, but a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Visitor facilities within the park are limited. The best visiting seasons are March through May and September through November.

The primary conservation threats are illegal hunting of Barbary sheep, livestock grazing within park boundaries, and wood cutting for charcoal. Habitat connectivity with adjacent Chambi National Park is a management priority, with the intervening land requiring attention to maintain wildlife corridors. Climate variability and drought risk affect the vegetation communities on which wildlife depends. The park benefits from its association with the more prominent Chambi in terms of national conservation attention.