The Réghaïa forest is located 29 kilometers east of [[Algiers]]. It is located in the commune of [[Reghaïa|Réghaïa]] in the [[Mitidja]] of Basse Kabylie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TerraServer - Aerial Photos & Satellite Images |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310203947/http://www.terraserver.com/view.asp?cx=3.6201279&cy=36.7228968&proj=4326&mpp=1&sdrt=jax |website=terraserver.com |language=fr}}</ref>

The [[Reghaïa|Réghaïa]] forest is governed by decree no. 84-45 of February 18, 1984,<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1984 |title=Conventions et Accords Internationaux. Lois, Ordonnances et Decrets. Arrêtes, Decisions, Circulaires, Avis, Communications et Annonces. |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joradp.dz%2FFTP%2FJo-Francais%2F1984%2FF1984008.pdf |journal=Journal Officiel de la République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire |language=fr |volume=23 |issue=8}}</ref>, amended and supplemented by decree no. 07-231 of July 30, 2007.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=CONVENTIONS ET ACCORDS INTERNATIONAUX - LOIS ET DECRETS ARRETES, DECISIONS, AVIS, COMMUNICATIONS ET ANNONCES |url=http://www.joradp.dz/FTP/jo-francais/2007/F2007049.pdf |journal=JOURNALJournal OFFICIELOfficiel DEde LAla REPUBLIQUERépublique ALGERIENNEAlgérienne DEMOCRATIQUEDémocratique ETet POPULAIREPopulaire |language=fr |volume=46 |issue=49}}</ref> With a wooded area of 30 hectares, this forest is the only reclaimed marshland in the [[wilaya of Algiers]]. It was classified by the [[Ramsar Convention]] on June 4, 2003, as a nature reserve of international importance. This natural forest site has a [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] climate, hot in summer and cold in winter, making it unique in the [[Algiers]] biogeographical region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Souad |first=Labri |date=2005 |title=Les énormes potentialités d'une réserve |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.djazairess.com%2Ffr%2Finfosoir%2F25886#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |website=DjaZairess |language=fr}}</ref>

This forest area is part of the five [[Ecosystem|ecosystemsecosystem]]s (marine, marsh, dune, lake and forest) of the [[Reghaïa|Réghaïa]] protected area, the lake, which covers an area of 1,575 hectares: 900 ha of sea, 600 ha of forest and dune, plus a 75 ha freshwater lake.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Zone humide de Réghaïa : Sarcelles, flamants, dorades menacés par la pollution urbaine et industrielle |url=http://www.elmoudjahid.com/fr/mobile/detail-article/id/53763 |website=El Moudjahid |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813232437/http://www.elmoudjahid.com/fr/mobile/detail-article/id/53763 |websitearchive-date=El Moudjahid2016-08-13 |language=fr}}</ref> This forest and its surrounding biosphere are classified as a nature reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amarini |first=Abdelkrim |date=2014 |title=La réserve naturelle de Réghaïa et son lac en danger |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?rev_t=20140810000000&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexpressiondz.com%2Factualite%2F197784-la-reserve-naturelle-de-reghaia-et-son-lac-en-danger.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |website=L'Expression |language=fr}}</ref>

The fauna of the Réghaïa forest is rich in [[Zoology|zoological]], [[Ornithology|ornithological]] and [[Entomology|entomological]] diversity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LA CHASSE EN ALGERIE |url=http://www.dgf.gov.dz:80/index.php?rubrique=chasse&section=chasse |website=Direction Générale des Forêts | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129233229/http://www.dgf.gov.dz:80/index.php?rubrique=chasse&section=chasse |website=Direction Générale des Forêtsarchive-date=2014-01-29 |language=fr}}</ref>

The forest is home to 21 species of [[Mammal|mammalsmammal]]s ([[jackal]], genet, wild boar, famed fox, etc.).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Amarni |first=Abdelkrim |date=2014 |title=La réserve naturelle de Réghaïa et son lac en danger |url=https://www.djazairess.com/fr/lexpression/197784 |website=DjaZairess}}</ref>

The [[Algerian hedgehog]] (''Atelerix algirus''') is found in this Algerian forest. This white-bellied hedgehog lives in the coastal regions of Algeria. It is pale in color and weighs from 700 to 950 g. This hedgehog is a protected species throughout Algeria.<ref>{{Cite webjournal |lastlast1=Zidane |firstfirst1=Amina |last2=Sahki-Benabbas |first2=Ilham |last3=Ayoub Rahal |first3=Mohamed |last4=Moulaî |first4=Riadh |title=Does urbanisation have an impact on the trophic ecology of the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus in northern Algeria? |urljournal=https:/Biodiversity Data Journal|date=2024 |volume=12 |pages=e115721 |doi=10.3897/bdjBDJ.pensoft12.net/article/115721/e115721 |websitedoi-access=Biodiversityfree Data|pmid=38328408 |pmc=10848252 Journal}}</ref>

[[File:Golden_wolf_small.jpg|thumb|[[Golden jackal|Golden jackal.]].]]

The [[golden jackal]] (''Canis aureus'') is a very shy, nocturnal and discreet carnivorous mammal. Its body length (without tail) varies between 70 and 85 &nbsp;cm, its height at the withers between 38 and 50 &nbsp;cm, its tail length is 25 &nbsp;cm, with a weight of 7 to 14 &nbsp;kg, while its maximum speed oscillates between 40 and over 50 &nbsp;km/h.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=African golden wolf discovered in Morocco and Algeria |url=https://magornitho.org/2012/08/african-wolf-discovered-in-morocco/ |website=MaghrebOrnitho}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=THE JACKAL OR THE WOLF IN ALGERIA? |url=https://www.mammalwatching.com/community-post/the-jackal-or-the-wolf-in-algeria/ |website=Mammal Watching}}</ref>

The [[crested porcupine]] (''Hystrix cristata'') is a nocturnal terrestrial [[rodent]] that tolerates steep terrain.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ahmin |first=M. |last2=Benhammou |first2=A. |last3=Elbouhisssi |first3=M. cn|date=2023September |title=First Observation of an Albino Crested Porcupine Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Algeria |url=https://medwinpublishers.com/IZAB/first-observation-of-an-albino-crested-porcupine-hystrix-cristata-linnaeus-1758-mammalia-rodentia-in-algeria.pdf |journal=International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology |volume=6 |issue=42024}}</ref>

The [[Wild rabbits|wild rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') is a lagomorph mammal; wild numbers are common in [[Algeria]], but declining.<ref>{{Cite journal |lastlast1=Bouhali |firstfirst1=Abdelbaki |last2=Homrani |first2=Abdelkader |last3=Ferrand |first3=Nuno |last4=Lopes |first4=Susana |author-link4=Mostafa |last5=Ahmed |date=2023 |title=Assessment of genetic diversity among native Algerian rabbit populations using microsatellite markers |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10407306/ |journal=Arch. Anim. Breed. |volume=66|issue=3 |pages=207–215 |doi=10.5194/aab-66-207-2023 |doi-access=free |pmid=37560355 |pmc=10407306 }}</ref>

[[File:Lepus_capensis.jpg|thumb|[[Cape hare|Cape hare.]].]]

The [[Cape hare]] (''Lepus capensis'') is a rodent.<ref>{{Cite journalbook |lastlast1=Scandura |firstfirst1=Massimo |last2=De Marinis |first2=Anna Maria |last3=Canu |first3=Antonio |date=2022 |titleothers=Cape Hare Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758 |chapter=Cape Hare Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758 |title=Handbook of the Mammals of Europe |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_10-1 |journalpages=Handbook1–20 of|publisher=Springer the|location=Cham Mammals|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_10-1 of Europe|isbn=978-3-319-65038-8}}</ref>

The ichneumon mongoose (''Herpestes ichneumon'') is a mammal known locally as zerdi in [[Arabic]] and izerdhi in Berber. Both names derive from the Arabic verb "zarada" meaning "to swallow", reflecting the mongoose's ability to swallow its food and small prey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EGYPTIAN MONGOOSE |url=https://www.animalia.bio/egyptian-mongoose |website=Animalia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) |url=https://tranquilsafari.com/attractions/egyptian-mongoose-herpestes-ichneumon/ |website=Tranquil Journeys}}</ref>

The [[Barbary stag]] (''Cervus elaphus barbarus benetti'') is a large cervid subspecies of the [[Red deer|Red Deer]] found in Algerian forests. It is on the verge of extinction as the only representative of the Cervidae family in [[Africa]]. The [[Barbary stag]] is [[Diurnality|diurnal]], but often eats at night in fields and meadows as a crepuscular and nocturnal species, where it feeds as a [[herbivore]] and ruminant. It prefers fir (''Abies alba'') to spruce (''Picea abies'') and wood, eating the buds and young shoots of trees and [[Shrub|shrubsshrub]]s, except for thorny trees, which it avoids.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alilat |first=Djamel |date=2008 |title=La réintroduction du cerf de berberie dans l'Akfadou |url=https://www.djazairess.com/fr/elwatan/99375 |website=DjaZairess |language=fr}}</ref>

The [[wild boar]] (''Sus scrofa'') colonizes virtually every habitat in this forest. When the soil is damp, this animal turns over the earth with its strong stoppers in search of invertebrates and plant roots. Its lifespan varies between 8 and 10 years.<ref>{{Cite journal |lastlast1=Boumendjel |firstfirst1=F. Z. |last2=Hajji |first2=G. El M. |last3=Valqui |first3=J. |last4=Bouslama |first4=Z. |date=2016 |title=The Hunting Trends of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Hunters in Northeastern Algeria |url=http://www.corbidi.org/uploads/4/9/8/9/49890817/2017_wild_boar_hunting_boumendjel_-_valqui.pdf |journal=Wildl. Biol. Pract.}}</ref>

[[File:Populus alba 01.jpg|thumb|''[[Populus alba|Populus alba.]].'']]

The Réghaïa forest adjoining the lake is populated by hydrophilic trees (''[[Salix alba]]'', ''[[Populus alba]]'', ''[[Eucalyptus camaldulensis]]'') and the plants that live there are the cattail Typha latifolia and the rush ''Juncus acutus'', as well as the halophilic ''Plantago coronopus'' group. Groups of ''Pancratium maritimum'', ''Lotus creticus'', ''Ammophila arenaria'' and ''Chamaerops humilis'' grow in narrow strips along the coast. The [[Shrubland|scrubland]] that forms a more or less narrow belt around the forest and lake provides good protection for birdlife. It is represented by the Oleo-lentisque composed of ''Olea europaea'', ''Pistacia lentiscus'', ''Crataegus monogyna'', ''Rubus ulmifolius'', ''Smilax'' ''aspera'' and ''Hedera helix''.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2002 |title=Fiche descriptive sur les zones humides Ramsar |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Frsis.ramsar.org%2FRISapp%2Ffiles%2FRISrep%2FDZ1304RIS.pdf%2Findex.html#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |journal=REPUBLIQUERépublique ALGERIENNEAlgérienne DEMOCRATIQUEDémocratique ETet POPULAIREPopulaire, MINISTEREMinistère DEde L’AGRICULTUREl'Agriculture ETet DUdu DEVELOPPEMENTDéveloppement RURALRural, DIRECTIONDirection GENERALEGénérale DESdes FORETSForêts |language=fr}}</ref>

The Réghaïa forest is home to a cynegetic center in the southwest of its perimeter,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Le Centre Cynégétique de Zéralda |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?rev_t=19981130000000&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ccz-dz.com%2Fstatic.php%3Fop%3Dqui_sommes_nous.txt%26ccz%3D1#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |language=FR}}</ref>, which collaborates actively with the [[Zéralda]] cynegetic center. It was created by decree no. 83-75<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1983 |title=CONVENTIONS ET ACCORDS INTERNATIONAUX. LOIS, ORDONNANCES ET DECRETS ARRETES, DECISIONS, CIRCULAIRES, AVIS, COMMUNICATIONS ET ANNONCES. |url=http://www.joradp.dz/FTP/Jo-Francais/1983/F1983002.pdf |journal=JOURNALJournal OFFICIELOfficiel DEde LAla REPUBLIQUERépublique ALGERIENNEAlgérienne DEMOCRATIQUEDémocratique ETet POPULAIREPopulaire |language=fr |volume=22 |issue=2}}</ref> of January 8, 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1983 |title=Décret n° 83-75 du 8 janvier 1983 portant création d'un centre cynégétique à Réghaïa, p. 96. |url=http://www.dgf.gov.dz/index.php?rubrique=legislation&section=reglement&page=83-75 |website=Direction Générale des Forêts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417195127/http://www.dgf.gov.dz/index.php?rubrique=legislation&section=reglement&page=83-75 |websitearchive-date=Direction Générale des Forêts2016-04-17 |language=fr}}</ref>

The Réghaïa cynegetic center was upgraded in 2006, after having long been a protected reserve reserved exclusively for the specialists who carried out their work there. It was then promoted in 2011 to manage the Réghaïa nature reserve. The ''Réghaïa Cynégétique Center'', in collaboration with the ''Direction Générale des Forêts'', ensures that the Réghaïa wetland remains on the [[Ramsar Convention]] list of wetlands.<ref>{{Cite journal |lastlast1=Fatiha |firstfirst1=Metna |last2=Aicha |first2=Lardjane-Hamiti |last3=Samira |first3=Merabet |date=2016 |title=Ecology of the Coot’sCoot's Fulica atra reproduction (Linnaeus, 1758) in the nature reserve of Lake Réghaïa (Algiers, Algeria). |url=https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A3%3A10832131/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A116465417&crl=c |journal=Zoology & Ecology |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=166|doi=10.1080/21658005.2016.1175215 }}</ref>

This center tracks wild birds by marking them with bands in order to study several aspects of their life in the wild, such as migratory movements. The CNB collaborates with a number of international centers, as the regions traveled by banded birds can be very distant, especially during migration.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2007 |title=ACCORD SUR LA CONSERVATION DES OISEAUX D’EAUD'EAU MIGRATEURS D’AFRIQUED'AFRIQUE-EURASIE (AEWA) |url=https://www.unep-aewa.org/sites/default/files/document/algeria2008_mop4_0.pdf |journal=AEWA |language=fr}}</ref>

Each ring placed on a bird is unique, thanks to an alphanumeric code coupled with a file containing various information on the bird (species name, sex or age) as well as the date and location of banding. This information can be supplemented by [[biometric data]] (weight, wing and beak length, adiposity, etc.). Through the organization of bird releases throughout Algeria, this center is working towards the creation of a national network of banding units and, ultimately, integration into the international network.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rif |first=Nahla |date=2009 |title=ZONES HUMIDES ALGÉRIENNES. Vers une envolée “ornithologique”"ornithologique" |url=http://iflisen2008.over-blog.com/article-27713958.html |language=fr}}</ref>