Monthly Meeting February 2025 – Birds of Socotra

Nestled between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean, Yemen boasts one of nature’s best-kept secrets – Socotra Island, the largest in its archipelago, comprising around 95 percent of the land mass.

The guardians of this enclave, numbering nearly 60,000, undertake the vital task of preserving its otherworldly flora and fauna, rendering Socotra one of the most unparalleled and mysterious destinations on Earth.

This remote island’s remarkable biodiversity has garnered global recognition, leading UNESCO to bestow Socotra with World Heritage Site status in 2008. This designation has further enriched the island’s already storied history, steeped in myths that span millennia.

Our Chair Willene was lucky enough to visit this amazing place in 2024. At our February meeting she treated us to an overview of her fascinating trip.

Full write up in the next Batis.