The site is a biological and ecological reserve in Morocco’s Middle Atlas region. The main nearby town is the ski resort of Ifrane. Aguelmams Sidi Ali occupies 600ha and consists of a complex of three mountain lakes at 1900-2100m. These are the highest in North Africa, and are fed by melting snow and springs. The lakes are important wintering sites for migratory birds such as the Ruddy Shelduck and the Crested Coot. Local mammals are the genet, jackal and Red fox.

Activities around the area are livestock raising, tourism and skiing in winter, rainbow trout farming and sports fishing in summer.

The main threats are overuse of water extraction, overgrazing and pollution from animal and human use.

Ramsar site no.1468.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands came into force for Morocco on 20 October 1980. Morocco presently has 24 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 272,010 hectares.

References: www.ramsar.org; www.medwet.org