The Site is an extensive saline lagoon surrounded by Sahelian vegetation and fed by seasonal rainfall and salt water from the Senegal River estuary. Native animal species include desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) African rock python (Python sebae), as well as mongooses, pale foxes and genets. The permanent presence of water supports Afro-tropical and migratory Western Palearctic birds, such as black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and the largest concentrations in Senegal of pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). The Reserve is gradually degrading due to a combination of factors, including drought, salinization, the lowering of the water table and siltation of water tanks, partly because the Diama dam on the Senegal River has reduced the inflow of fresh water. Human activities include nature conservation and education, tourism and recreation. A management plan and safeguarding policy are being implemented to enable the regeneration of the Sahelian vegetation of the Reserve.