Exploring Socotra

Our adventure began at the conclusion of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) meetings, hosted by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi from October 25-28, 2024. Over 300 conservation leaders gathered to issue a declaration “Saving Species Sustains Life” emphasising the urgent need for interconnected    solutions to protect biodiversity, stabilise climate and support human wellbeing. As threats continue to emerge and accelerate, the SSC has spurred its efforts maintaining that species conservation is fundamental to the achievement of global sustainability goals. Worldwide, over 46,000 known species are threatened with extinction, although this number could be close to two million, factoring in those as yet undiscovered.  Preserving unique ecosystems under threat, such as those present in Socotra, is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Due to a cancellation of our planned return flights, our itinerary was compressed but still took us across the island and a diverse range of habitats. On October 29th we explored the lush Wadi Ayhaft, then headed to Arher Beach on the Eastern coast with its enormous and spectacular dunes. On October 30th we drove inland to the Diksam Plateau, an otherworldly landscape with a forest of Dragon Blood trees and on October 31st we journeyed west to Qalansiyah for a boat trip along the coast, and then made our way back along the north coast. On November 1st we wrapped up the journey by heading back to the airport, replete with our findings, having seen all the endemic birds.

On the very first day, we spotted the endemic Socotran Chameleon (Chamaeleo monachus, Near Threatened), the Socotra Buzzard (Buteo socotraensis, Vulnerable) and the Socotra Scops Owl (Otus socotranus, Least Concern). While we hunted with spotlights almost every night for the elusive Nubian Nightjar,   ironically, we found an equally beautiful Eurasian Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus, Least Concern) in a last-ditch effort on the morning before our flight out. Beyond the iconic species, one of the unique phenomena we observed was crab pyramids, intricately built structures apparently built by the Ocypode saratan, the Red Sea Ghost Crab. Up on the Diksam Plateau, we were delighted to find the endemic damselfly Socotra Bluet (Azuragrion granti, Near Threatened) as well as Socotra Freshwater Crab (Socotrapotamon socotrense, Endangered).

The unique and fragile nature of Socotra’s plants and animals can be seen in the number of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) on the island (i.e. 16, excluding the outer islands). KBAs are recognised as globally important for the persistence of biodiversity and we were fortunate enough to visit six of these in our short time on the island. Indeed, most of the marvellous creatures we came to see live within KBAs. Although this recognition of these sites does not convey any legal protection or management requirement, it does indicate that even within an island as special as Socotra there are small areas where the biodiversity stands out and where future conservation efforts should be directed. Often the greatest hurdle to safeguarding KBAs is making sure governments understand the importance of such sites. It is therefore most encouraging that our guide, Ahmed Saeed Suleiman, who leads the DNHG tours, not only serves as the Wetlands Contact Point for the Environmental Protection Authority of the Ministry of Water and Environment, Republic of Yemen, but is one of the authors of the publication that identified KBAs for Socotra and certainly knows their importance more than anyone.

Chris had previously visited Yemen (North Yemen) as a member of the pioneering Ornithological Society of the Middle East’s (OSME) two-month expedition in 1985 and had ever since hoped to visit more of the country, especially Socotra and so this opportunity to visit was one he did not want to miss. As Programme Manager of SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction) and Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group, there was the added draw of the globally endangered and locally revered Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus). Socotra holds the highest concentration of these birds in the world. The population of nearly 2,000 has thus far not been affected by rodenticides or veterinary diclofenac and, hopefully, their abundance will continue to be a feature of any visit. Development pressures will bring their own challenges and climate change also looms as a longer-term threat; for example in exacerbating overgrazing-driven declines in the Dragon’s Blood trees.

The dwarf cattle farmed there most likely came from South Arabia millennia ago and their significance is woven into Soqotri (typically classified as an Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South Semitic and South Arabian  language). The island’s geology is also an intriguing study. A fragment of Gondwanaland, its subsequent isolation from Arabia and Africa presents a unique exploration of tectonic and evolutionary science in the examination of its endemic species. The loss of any one species, apart from its ecological significance, is an irretrievably lost puzzle piece of our shared history.