Ethiopia’s Wildlife Population Declines at Alarming Rate

Ethiopia’s wildlife population declines at alarming rate

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) — Ethiopia’s wildlife population is declining at an alarming rate, according to one of the country’ s leading conservation experts.

Species such as lions, elephants, the Ethiopian wolf, the African wildass, rhinos and many more are in danger of extinction, said Fanuel Kebede, head of the wildlife protection team of the Ethiopian government’s Wildlife Conservation Department.

“People will want to see and explore the wildlife of Ethiopia,” he told journalists recently, adding “It will be a shame if our children have to learn about these beautiful animals through books and pictures rather than seeing them in their natural habitat.”

Fanuel said that wildlife conservation was not only crucial because it maintained the fragile natural balance between different species, it was also important for the Ethiopian economy.

Meanwhile, Tadesse Hailu, head of the Wildlife Conservation Department, said that the main force behind the recent dramatic reduction in Ethiopia’s wildlife population was the loss of habitat due to agricultural expansion, new settlements and diminishing natural resources. The Wildlife Conservation Department, part of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has been protecting the country’s natural wonders since 1966.

A second major factor was hunting, he added.

“There are no satisfactory laws against illegal hunting and not enough manpower to enforce such laws and protect the wildlife,” he said.

“Another phenomenon is people who capture wild animals, using them as pets or for their own profit. Animals are isolated from their natural habitat and are usually neglected and kept in very bad conditions,” he said.

The plight of captured animals was illustrated recently by two Hammadryas baboons who were found tied up in an Addis Ababa pottery store in March this year. They were tied to a pole, kept in terrible conditions without water, food or shade to protect them from the burning sun. The owner of the shop was charging customers 5 birr (58 US cents) each to have their picture taken with the animals.

Luckily the baboons were discovered and released into the Menegesha Suba resort on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

“It was a happy ending for those two baboons,” said Fanuel.

“But there are many cases like it that are not reported to the department. We rely on public cooperation. It is crucial for Ethiopian society to understand the importance of Wildlife conservation and their value to contribute their effort of the struggle to Ethiopia’s wildlife conservation.”