El feija: At the edge of the dense Quercus zen and cork oak (Quercus suber) forest of El Feija, near Ghardimaou in north-western Tunisia, a herd of Barbary stags emerge into a purpose-built clearing captivating onlookers. Just decades ago, this emblematic cervid was presumed extinct across the Maghreb, driven to the brink by deforestation, climate disruption, and unregulated hunting.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, by the 1960s, the range of this species had dwindled to a narrow forested area between Ghardimaou and Tabarka in Tunisia, and Annaba and Souk Ahras in Algeria. The species' survival was uncertain until Tunisia initiated a national effort to bring the Atlas stag (Cervus elaphus barbarus) back from the brink of extinction after its independence.
A significant milestone occurred in 2016 when Tunisia received its first consignment of 23 Barbary stags and hinds from Spain. This was part of a scientifically guided reintroduction program under the national Wildlife Conservation Strategy, led by Tunisian authorities. Specialised enclosures were established at locations such as El Feija (Ghardimaou) and Ain Baccouche (Tabarka), and legal protection was enacted through Article 7 of the Hunting Decree to safeguard the species.
After extensive reforestation within its natural sanctuary at El Feija, which is considered one of North Africa's finest zen oak forests, visitors now occasionally glimpse the animals as they enter the clearing. They can stay long enough for a few photographs before retreating into the woodland shadows.
On December 6, 2025, the forest's silence was broken by animated discussions as journalists, forestry officials, park rangers, and conservators from El Feija National Park gathered for a field session. This was part of a training program on Biodiversity, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Governance, organized by the Tunisian Media Support Programme (PAMT 2), GIZ Tunisia, the Ministry of Environment, and Tunisian Campers. The initiative highlighted the stag's symbolic and ecological importance.
Tunisia now hosts an estimated 1,000 Barbary stags, though precise figures were not disclosed. Forestry authorities confirm that captive populations continue to grow, making Tunisia the first Maghrebi nation to provide full legal protection to the Barbary stag. However, despite its reclassification by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from 'Endangered' to 'Lower Risk/Conservation Dependent' in 2000, sustained monitoring and adaptive management remain crucial.
The Barbary stag, a robust creature adapted to the forest, undergoes a seasonal moult, with its coat turning russet in summer and darkening to grey-brown in winter. Unlike its European counterpart, its fawns often retain white spots into adulthood. Faouzi Mamouri, an independent consultant and expert in nature conservation, explained that males shed their antlers annually, with each regrowth cycle resulting in larger and more branched antlers, indicating the stag's age and condition.
Mamouri shared insights into the species' polygamous nature during the rut, where dominant males establish harems and mate with multiple hinds. Gestation lasts eight months, and after birth, fawns remain hidden in dense vegetation while their mothers forage, minimizing predator detection.
Visitors to the historic Forest House in El Feija National Park encountered a collection of stag antlers. Tunisia's Directorate General of Forests (DGF) holds a unique stockpile of Barbary stag antlers, though this resource remains underutilized. Fallen antlers, rich in minerals, serve as dietary supplements for rodents and provide valuable scientific data. They also hold artisanal potential as materials for crafts and enrich forest soils ecologically.
Access to this 'national heritage' is restricted for the 250 families residing within El Feija forest due to the 1988 Forestry Code, prompting calls for legislative reforms to align with ecological and green transition goals. Foresters, laborers, and residents act as custodians of the park's fauna and flora, taking pride in their stewardship.
Despite challenges, the Barbary stag's resurgence in Tunisia is a testament to nature's capacity to heal with protection, time, and commitment.