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close| Location | Palestinian Authority Territories, Bethlehem,Hebron |
| Central coordinates | 35o 19.00' East 31o 42.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A4i, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 |
| Area | 15,000 ha |
| Altitude | 250 - 600m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2001 |
Ornithological information The large raptors especially the Egyptian Vulture is one of the birds in this region and this bird stay in this area and it breeds in it. There is also the Griffon Vulture that is found in the western site of Al Fashkha and on the Dead Sea.
Site description It is a protectoral area and, there are Bedouin in this area come from Arab Al Kina'n and Al Rashida family. They from area to another asking form water and grass, some of them stay at this area by all the year, some become citizens in this area and farmers. This area extents from south east of Bethlehem to the regions of the south of Hebron at which it reaches to the mount that surrounding the Dead Sea , there are some vallies interposed this area like Ra'as Al Hemar that is considered as one of the most beautiful area and it is a part of Wadi Kretoon / south east of Bethlehem. It has some Byzantium and Roman monasteries that are built in the past era and there are still some of mosaics in some agrologic areas. It can be reached by many ways either by Bethlehem district or from Tquo' village and then pass to Arab Al Asakra, or through Wadi Kretoon region, or from the south side of the Dead Sea region and go up to the high mountain and then to this wonderful area. This area is contact with Ain Gedi region from the southern eastern part region of the West Bank.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi | resident | 1991 | present [units unknown] | - | B3 | Least Concern |
| Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni | passage | 1991 | 1-29 individuals | poor | Least Concern | |
| Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus | breeding | 1991 | 1 breeding pairs | poor | B2 | Least Concern |
| Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus | resident | 1981 | 1 breeding pairs | good | Least Concern | |
| Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus | breeding | 1991 | 2-3 breeding pairs | good | B2 | Endangered |
| Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus | resident | 1991 | 2-4 breeding pairs | good | B2 | Least Concern |
| Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos | winter | 1991 | 1-2 individuals | good | Vulnerable | |
| Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina | passage | 1991 | 5,000-10,000 individuals | good | B2 | Least Concern |
| Common Crane Grus grus | passage | 1991 | 350 individuals | poor | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
| Hume's Owl Strix butleri | resident | 1991 | 2 breeding pairs | poor | B3 | Least Concern |
| Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps | resident | 1991 | present [units unknown] | - | B3 | Least Concern |
| Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii | resident | 1991 | 200 breeding pairs | poor | B3 | Least Concern |
| A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes | passage | 1991 | 5,000-10,000 individuals | - | B1iv |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | major | |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor | |
| Rocky areas | minor | |
| Grassland | - | |
| Shrubland | - |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| rangeland/pastureland | major |
| agriculture | minor |
| tourism/recreation | minor |
Other biodiversity The most important animals of this are Capra ibex, Gazella, Rocky Hyrax, Fox, Hyeana.
Management considerations The training of the Israeli soldiers by all the year specially the use of the heavy machines. The illegal grazing for the plant of this area where the plant cover is available. The illegal hunting, this region is considered as an area, which is rich of biodiversity. The irregular tourism that affect on the wild and bird life.
Conservation response Declining of the negative affects like the militarism training. Prevention of hunting in the region. Regulation of hunting and rehabilitation of the habitat. Encouraging of the environmental tourism and regulate the other tourist activities.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Jerusalem wilderness. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013
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