Oukaimeden ski resort

Here is a video of the famous Oukaimeden ski resort, narrated in French but has English translation:

Oukaimeden is a ski resort located in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, near the city of Marrakech. It is the largest and oldest ski resort in Morocco and one of the highest ski resorts in Africa, with a summit elevation of 3,269 meters (10,725 feet) above sea level. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding facilities, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Oukaimeden was first established in the 1930s, and has since grown into one of Morocco's most popular ski destinations. The resort features several ski runs, ranging from beginner to advanced, and is equipped with a number of ski lifts and ski rental facilities. The resort also offers ski lessons for those who are new to the sport.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, visitors to Oukaimeden can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, and sledding. The resort is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, and visitors can take guided tours to explore the surrounding area and admire the views.

One of the unique features of Oukaimeden is its location, which allows for both winter sports and summer activities. In the summer months, the resort is transformed into a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Visitors can explore the lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic valleys that surround the resort.

Despite its remote location, Oukaimeden is easily accessible from Marrakech, with a road leading directly to the resort. Visitors can also reach the resort by taking a taxi or private transfer from the city.

To sum it up: Oukaimeden is a ski resort located in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, near the city of Marrakech. It is the largest and oldest ski resort in Morocco and one of the highest ski resorts in Africa. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding facilities, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In the summer, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The resort is easily accessible from Marrakech and is a unique destination for both winter sports and summer activities.

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Atlas lions

Here are videos of the Moroccan Atlas lions in the national zoo of Rabat (the capital of Morocco)

The Atlas lion, also known as the Barbary lion, is a subspecies of lion that is native to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Historically, the Atlas lion was found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, as well as in parts of Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. However, due to habitat loss and hunting, the Atlas lion is now considered to be extinct in the wild. The last wild Atlas lion was killed in 1922.

The Atlas lion is considered to be the largest subspecies of lion, with males weighing up to 600 pounds and females weighing up to 400 pounds. They had a distinctive appearance, with a mane that extended down to the belly and had a reddish-brown color, and a coat that was paler than other lion subspecies.

Atlas lions were considered to be powerful and majestic animals and have played a significant role in Moroccan culture and history. They were often depicted in art and literature and were considered to be symbols of strength and power. The lion was also an important symbol in the royal coat of arms of Morocco and is still used as a national symbol today.

However, due to human activities such as hunting, habitat loss and poaching, the population of atlas lions decline dramatically and it was declared extinct in the wild by the 1940s. The last wild Atlas lion was killed in 1922.

However, there are small populations of Atlas lions in captivity around the world, which are considered to be important for the preservation of the genetic diversity of the Atlas lion.

One of the most notable captive populations of Atlas lions is located in the Rabat Zoo in Morocco. The zoo has been actively working to conserve the Atlas lion subspecies, and as of 2021, it is reported to have 37 atlas lions in captivity.

The zoo's breeding program aims to preserve the genetic diversity of the Atlas lion and also to reintroduce them in the wild. These 37 lions at Rabat zoo are considered to be the last remaining purebred Atlas lions, as they are the descendants of the last wild Atlas lions that were caught in the 1920s and brought to the zoo.

The zoo's breeding program is important not only for the preservation of the subspecies but also for the education of the public. Visitors to the zoo can learn about the history and biology of the Atlas lion, as well as the conservation efforts being made to protect this subspecies.

It's important to note that not all the lions in captivity that are labeled as Atlas lions, are purebred, as there has been a lot of interbreeding with other lion subspecies over the years. Hence, the population of 37 lions in the Rabat zoo is considered to be the most genetically pure population of the Atlas lions.

In conclusion, the Rabat zoo in Morocco is home to a population of 37 purebred Atlas lions, which is considered to be one of the most important captive populations of this subspecies. The zoo's breeding program aims to preserve the genetic diversity of the Atlas lion and also to reintroduce them in the wild. These lions represent the last remaining purebred Atlas lions, and the zoo's efforts to conserve this subspecies is vital for its preservation.

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