GAP ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM OF ETHIOPIA

Daan Vreugdenhil Astrid M. Vreugdenhil Tamirat Tilahun Anteneh Shimelis Zelealem Tefera With contributions from Leo Nagelkerke, Kai Gedeon, Steve Spawls, Derek Yalden, Lakew Berhanu and Ludwig Siege

Addis Ababa, April, 2012 Elaborated by the World Institute for Conservation and Environment on behalf of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority with funding from the GEF / UNDP / SDPASE project

Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Wildlife Development Authority (EWCA) has been charged by the Government and UNDP to implement the project “Sustainable Development of the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia (SDPASE). The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility GEF / United Na- tions Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). SDPASE has contracted the study "Gap Analysis of the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia" to the World Institute for Conservation and Environment (WICE). The content of the document is the sole responsibility of WICE and does not necessarily reflect the points of view of EWCA, GIZ, UNDP or of the technical contributors. The authors like to remind the readers that the study had to be carried out during a short period of time, as the GoE and the Governments of the Regional States urgently needed critical information to respond to rapidly changing so - cio-economical developments. As a result, some conclusions are likely to change as more informa- tion becomes available, while recommendations are not cast in stone but rather suggestions for con- sideration and further evaluation.

The document should be cited as: Vreugdenhil, D. Vreugdenhil, A. D., Tamirat Tilahun, Anteneh Shimelis, Zelealem Tefera, 2012. Gap Analysis of the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia, with technical contributions from Nagelkerke, L., Gedeon, K. Spawls, S., Yalden, D., Lakew Berhanu, and Siege, L., World Institute for Conservation and Environment, USA. Only photographs from other sources than the authors and technical contributors are credited.

Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) Tel: (+521) - (0)11 551 4389 Fax: (+521) - (0)11 554 6804 E. -mail: E [email protected] Coffee and Tea Authority Building, Ras Mekonnen Avenue P. O. Box 386 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

WICE

1 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE ETHIOPIAN WILDLIFECONSERVA­ TION AUTHORITY

The Sustainable Development of the Protected Area System of Ethiopia [SDPASE] Project, which is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility [GEF]/UNDP is working to achieve its mandated tasks. Since it came in to existence in October 2008 SDPASE has introduced new ideas and studies in to the system. This has created a vibrant atmosphere in the sector both at federal and regional level.

In its ongoing effort, SDPASE has commissioned a study to identify the conservation gaps in Ethiopia’s protected areas system. This "Gap Analysis of the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia" has identified and mapped more than 20 areas that are absent or under-represented in the current protected areas system. The study is important to us inEthiopia because these areas represent eco­ systems, landscapes and species in which our unique culture has developed over thousands of years, while our natural heritage depends on the conservation of these areas. This study will help Ethiopia in completing its protected areas system.

The objective of our protected areas is not only to protect wild animals and plants. Conservation means much more than that. Our protected areas play an important role in the sustainable develop­ ment of our national economy by providing environmental services such as offering ecotourism and safari experiences to the now rapidly growing tourism sector, thus contributing to the thousands of new jobs that are added each year by the tourism industry. Moreover, they create a healthy environ­ ment in the form of clean water and air, the provision of water for irrigated agriculture and electri­ city production, the mitigation of climate change to name a few.

This study is very useful for the proper conservation of our natural resources. The investigation of this study was carried out using both national and international expertise. The study clearly shows that these protected areas are important avenues in fighting climate change, especially in a country like Ethiopia which is currently being affected with the impact of climate change. Finally, I hope this study will contribute to improved management of our natural resources in our protected areas and benefit Ethiopians in all parts of the country.

Ewnetu Bilata, Director General of EWCA

2 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

MESSAGE FROM THE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF UNDP

I am pleased to introduce this study of the UNDP-GEF supported "Sustainable Development of the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia" project. The overall Goal of the project is “Ethiopia’s biod­ iversity, ecosystems and ecological processes are effectively safeguarded from human-induced pres­ sures and adequately represented in a sustainable Protected Areas System that is contributing signi­ ficantly to economic development, both locally and nationally”.

The study systematically fills the gaps in knowledge about biodiversity based on scientific criteria and identifies areas needed to complete the Ethiopian Protected Areas System with a realistic rep­ resentation of the country's still surviving biodiversity. The existing protected areas have been ana­ lysed on compliance with the international criteria on “Ecoregions” and “Hot Spot”. Additionally, the study produced the “Ecosystems Map of Ethiopia” and updated the known knowledge on the distribution of “species of special concern”. On the basis of both criteria – ecosystems and species – a representativeness analysis was conducted. More that 20 locations were found that would need to be added to the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia for it to be reasonably representative. The study also takes into consideration geomorphological highlights of international significance, important socio-economic criteria, such as water-based ecosystem services and tourism, each of which can contribute to employment and strengthen the economy.

Biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia is at dire straits and it is feared that neither EWCA nor the Re­ gional Protected Areas Administrations can succeed by themselves to achieve the minimum re­ quired programmes to sustainably protect a representative selection of biodiversity. It is recommen­ ded that EWCA and mandated Regional States' Offices collaborate in managing the protected areas of national and global significance in concert with the local communities.

While the national parks of Ethiopia lag behind in visitation compared to the Ethiopia's sites with famous historical monuments, the study stresses their importance for both the national and local economies. The study found that over the past decade, the number of foreign national park visitors has grown with more that 17%; If this growth continues, foreign visitation can grow to more than 700 000 in the next few decades. The national parks are mostly located in other regions than the cultural highlights; Without parks those regions would mostly forego the economic and employment benefits that the tourism sector can provide to otherwise primarily agricultural communities.

While economic opportunities are clearly within reach, the authors express their concern that the biodiversity resources in each of the national parks and new areas to be included live under great pressure from land use – particularly grazing – and inhabitation. With less than 8 % of the national territory being protected, most of which to some degree inhabited, less that 70% of the species may be expected to survive; Business As Usual management and climate change would further reduce that percentage and many species important for global conservation as well as for the tourism sector are likely to disappear for good. Nevertheless, the authors are optimistic that a collaboration among the Federal and Regional State Governments and local communities will result in a win-win situ­ ation in which the local economies would prosper, while the biological heritage of the Nation would thrive in well-managed beautiful national parks.

Eugene Owusu, UNDP Resident Representative, UN Resident Coordinator & UN Humanitarian Coordinator 3 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia GAP ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM OF ETHIOPIA

TABLE OF CONTENT 1 NATURE CONSERVATION IN ETHIOPIA...... 9 1.1 INTRODUCTION...... 9 1.2 RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY...... 9 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY...... 9 1.4 BIODIVERSITY IN ITS NATURAL SURROUNDINGS...... 10 1.5 ETHIOPIAN PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM...... 14 1.5.1 Biodiversity policy documents...... 14 1.5.2 International conventions...... 15 1.5.3 Legislation...... 15 1.5.3.1 National and global significance...... 17 1.5.3.2 Biosphere reserves...... 18 1.5.3.3 Regional and urban protected areas administrations...... 19 1.5.3.4 The areas...... 19 1.5.4 Related institutions...... 24 1.5.5 NGOs and the private sector...... 29 2 THEORY ON PROTECTED AREAS REPRESENTATIVENESS...... 33 2.1 SPECIES REPRESENTATION...... 33 2.1.1 From vegetation formations to ecosystem classes...... 34 2.1.2 Biogeography...... 35 2.1.2.1 Geohistorical regionalization by Kingdon...... 35 2.1.2.2 Floristic or phytographic regionalization...... 35 2.1.2.3 WWF terrestrial ecoregions...... 42 2.1.2.4 Aquatic ecoregions...... 43 2.1.2.5 Hotspots of Conservation International...... 45 2.1.3 Degree of representativeness of hotspots, ecoregions and ecosystems...... 45 2.2 SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN...... 47 2.2.1 Data recording in Ethiopia...... 47 2.2.2 Flora...... 48 2.2.3 Fauna...... 50 2.2.3.1 Mammals...... 50 2.2.3.2 Birds...... 63 2.2.3.3 Herpetofauna...... 68 2.2.3.4 Ichthyofauna...... 70 3 GAP ANALYSIS...... 75 3.1 MINIMUM SIZES OF ECOSYSTEMS...... 75 3.1.1 Criteria on species survival...... 75 3.1.2 Requirements for protected areas systems...... 78 3.1.2.1 Species representation...... 78 3.1.2.2 Minimum conservation standard...... 79 3.1.2.3 Requirements for a durable minimal conservation system...... 81 4 AREA EVALUATION...... 84 4.1 COMPARISON OF UNEQUAL PARAMETERS...... 84 4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA...... 84 4.2.1 Socio-economic benefits...... 84 4.2.1.1 Environmental or ecosystem services...... 84 4.2.1.2 Biodiversity conservation...... 91 4.3 COMPARATIVE WEIGHTING...... 92 4.3.1 The need for a scoring system...... 92 4.3.2 Distinction between the areas...... 92 4.3.3 Services with restricted distinction potential...... 93 4.3.3.1 Raw material production services...... 93

4 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

4.3.4 Scoring parameters...... 95 4.3.4.1 Area size in ha...... 96 4.3.4.2 Ecosystems...... 97 4.3.4.3 Species of special concern...... 97 4.3.4.4 Economically exploited watersheds in protected areas...... 97 4.3.4.5 Tourism value...... 98 4.3.4.6 Scenic landscapes...... 98 4.3.4.7 Extraordinary geomorphological formations...... 99 4.3.4.8 Cultural, archaeological and palaeontological sites...... 99 4.3.4.9 Special research potential...... 99 4.3.4.10 Carbon content and sequestration potential...... 99 5 EPAS REPRESENTATIVENESS...... 100 5.1 GAP ANALYSIS CRITERIA...... 100 5.2 THE NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROTECTED AREAS ...... 100 5.3 ECOSYSTEM GAPS...... 101 5.4 SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN GAPS...... 102 5.5 GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA GAPS...... 102 6 PROPOSED NEW AREAS...... 106 6.1 AFAR DEPRESSION NATIONAL PARK...... 107 6.2 ALATISH NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION...... 111 6.3 BALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION...... 112 6.4 BORENA PLAIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY...... 113 6.5 BLUE NILE AND LAKE TANA SHORES NATIONAL PARK...... 114 6.6 DESSA FOREST NATIONAL PARK...... 122 6.7 EAST AMHARA ESCARPMENT AREAS...... 123 6.8 FRANKINCENSE GROVES...... 124 6.9 LAKE ABE NATIONAL PARK...... 127 6.10 LAKES ADELE & LANGE WATERFOWL SANCTUARY...... 129 6.11 LOWER OMO RIVER PROTECTED AREAS REPROGRAMMING...... 130 6.12 MEGADO PODOCARPUS NATIONAL MONUMENT...... 134 6.13 MOUNT KUNDUDO NATIONAL MONUMENT...... 136 6.14 NECHSAR NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION...... 137 6.15 OGADEN DESERT NATIONAL PARK...... 137 6.16 RAASO NATIONAL PARK...... 140 6.17 RIFT VALLEY LAKE SHORE RESERVES...... 141 6.18 SOF OMAR NATIONAL MONUMENT...... 143 6.19 TURACO-JUNIPER WILDLIFE RESERVE...... 146 6.20 WESTERN FORESTS BIODIVERSITY RESERVES...... 147 7 MAINSTREAMING THE EPAS...... 150 7.1 LAND OF HISTORY, DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES EXTRASENSORY GEOMORPHOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS...... 150 7.1.1 Why should Ethiopia worry about wild animals? ...... 150 7.1.1.1 Tourism and wildlife conservation...... 150 7.1.1.2 Ancient monuments, fascinating history and multiethnitism...... 151 7.2 NON-EXTRACTIVE USE FOCUS...... 157 7.2.1 Nature oriented tourism is big business...... 157 7.2.2 National parks as production areas...... 160 7.2.3 The market for national park visitation...... 162 7.3 BRANDING...... 165 7.3.1 Highlights...... 165 7.3.2 Visitor centres...... 165 7.3.3 Eye sores and visitation essentials in visitation sites...... 166 7.4 MARKETING...... 167 7.5 INSTITUTIONALIZED DIALOGUE...... 169

5 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

A / R Aforestation and reforestation Nature B.C. Before Christ FZS Frankfurt Zoological Society CCB Biodiversity and climate community GDP Gross domestic product standards CBD Convention on Biological Diversity GEF Global Environment Facility CBNRM Community Based Natural Resources GFAP Gambella Forest Action Plan Management GHG Green house gas CBO Community based organisation GIS Geographic information system GIZ CBWM Community Based Wildlife Manage­ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internatio­ ment nale Zusammenarbeit, GmbH, for­ merly GTZ. CCA Community Conservation Area GNP Gambella National Park CDM Clean development mechanism CITES Convention on International Trade in GNRSBOA Gambella National Regional State Endangered Species of Wild Fauna Peoples Bureau of Agriculture and Flora GPNRSP Gambella National Regional State CO2 Carbondioxide Peoples CSE Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia GPNRSC­ Gambella National Regional State DEM Digital elevation model TPHC Peoples, Culture, Tourism, Parks and EARS Ethiopian Agricultural Research Sys­ Hotels Commission. tem EBA Endemic Bird Area GPS Global Positioning System unit ECFF Environment and Coffee Forest HEC Human-Elephant Conflict Forum HLI Higher Learning Institutions EFAP Ethiopian Forestry Action Program EIAR Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural HoA- Horn of Africa Regional Environment Research REC/N Centre and Network ELR Environmental lapse rate IBA Important bird area ENDF Ethiopian National Defence Force IBC Institute of Biodiversity Conservation EPA Environmental Protection Authority EPAS Ethiopian Protected Areas System ICAO Civil Aviation Organization EPRDF Ethiopian People's Revolutionary IGAC El Instituto Geográfico Agustín Co­ Democratic Front dazzi, Colombia's national mapping ETH National Herbarium of Ethiopia agency. ETOA Ethiopian Tour Operators Association IUCN International Union for Conservation EWCA Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation of Nature Authority IUCN / International Union for Conservation EWNHS Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural His­ AfESG of Nature / African Elephant Specia­ tory Society list Group Limits of acceptable change EWCP Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Pro­ LAC gramme MAR Minimum area size FAO Food and Agricultural Organization MARXAN Areas planning tool FaWCDA Forestry and Wildlife Conservation masl Meters above sea level and Development Authority M&E Monitoring and Evaluation FDRE Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia MICOSYS Minimum Conservation System FDREPCC Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Fe­ MoA Ministry of Agriculture deral Population Census Commission MoARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural FfE Forum for Environment Development now renames MoA FMCN Mexican Fund for Conservation of MOCT Ministry of Culture and Tourism MVP Minimum viable populations

6 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

TME Typically medium size terrestrial eco­ systems NABU Naturschutzbund Deutschland TNC The Nature Conservancy NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and TSE Typically small ecosystems Action Plan UN United Nations Organization NGO Non government organisation UNCED United Nations Conference on Envir­ NRB Non-renewable biomass onment and Development UNDP United Nations Development Pro­ UNEP United Nations Environment Pro­ gram gram UNEP United Nations Environment Pro­ UNESCO United Nations Education and Sci­ gram ence Organization NP national park UNFCCC United Nations Framework Conven­ PA Protected area tion on Climate Change PES Payment for environmental services USA United States of America RARI Regional Agricultural Research Insti­ USAID United States Agency for Interna­ tutes tional Development REL Reference Emission Level USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Ser­ R-PP Proposal Preparation Readiness vice R.S. Regional State SAR species/area relationship VCS Voluntary Carbon Standard SDPASE Sustainable Development of the Pro­ WBISPP Woody Biomass Inventory and Stra­ tected Areas System of Ethiopia tegic Planning Project SLM Sustainable Land Management pro­ WGCF-NR Wondo Genet College of Forestry and gramme Natural Resources SNNPRS Southern Nations, Nationalities, and WICE World Institute for Conservation and People's Region Environment spp Abbreviation for various or undeter­ WSD Wildlife for Sustainable Development mined species of a genus WWF World Wide Fund for Nature, ssp Subspecies formerly World Wildlife Fund SSP Species or special concern TLE Typically large ecosystems

7 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 1: The mystic gnarled moss curtain clad Giant Erica forests, in Bale Mountains National Park are among the key elements that shape the international image of Ethiopia's nature.

8 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

GAP ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM OF ETHIOPIA 1 NATURE CONSERVATION IN There is also a need to review the PA-system in ETHIOPIA view of its relation to the poverty reduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION strategies and Ethiopia’s Sustainable Land Manage­ In 2008, the GoE re-federalized the management of ment programme (SLM). The SLM-programme fo­ protected and wildlife sanctuaries of “national and cuses on watersheds, which in turn depend on ve­ global significance” to the Ethiopian Wildlife Con­ getation cover on the slopes to prevent erosion, loss servation Authority, EWCA. Positioned under the of soil fertility, etc. Given the history described Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MOCT), above, the PA-system is probably not strategically EWCA also regulates the hunting industry. well placed to protect the important watersheds of the country. In the same year the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, granted the GoE $9 million with Further need for reviewing arises from the climate the funding from the Global Environment Facility change issue: to which extent is the EPAS maxim­ to strengthen the protected areas of Ethiopia. ising the CO2 sequestration potential? EWCA has been charged by the GoE and UNDP to implement the “Sustainable Development of the The study consists of the following components: Protected Areas System of Ethiopia, project • Gap Analysis of the Protected Areas System of SDPASE. The project is embedded in EWCA and Ethiopia; the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammen­ • Gap Analysis of the Protected Areas System of arbeit, GIZ, has been commissioned as the imple­ Ethiopia, Executive Summary; menting partner of EWCA for the first phase of the • Map of the Ecosystems of Ethiopia; project. Other funding sources are the Government • Map of the Ecosystems of Ethiopia shapefile; of Ethiopia and co-funding institutions like NGOs, • MYCOSYS Protected Areas of Ethiopia Scor­ bilateral development projects etc. ing Spreadsheet; • Financing Protected Areas of Ethiopia from SDPASE has contracted the study "Gap Analysis of Carbon Credits. the Protected Areas System of Ethiopia" to the World Institute for Conservation and Environment (WICE) 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1.2 RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY Systematically fill the gaps in knowledge about According to the Terms of Reference, (ToR), ori­ biodiversity based on scientific criteria and identify ginally, the protected areas system of the country missing areas to complete the Ethiopian Protected had not been designed with scientific concepts of Areas System to comprise a realistic representation biodiversity and its optimal representation protected of the country's still surviving biodiversity living in areas in mind. Like in most countries, it had de­ the wild. veloped over the years on the basis of educated guesses by wildlife managers, as to where diversity (mainly large mammal diversity) was located and where tracts of land were still available for protec­ tion that would not conflict too much with other land uses. This has led to a situation where even though a large portion of areas of high biodiversity was covered, obvious gaps nonetheless occur ac­ cording to scientific criteria.

The administrative split between “wildlife” and “forest” has contributed to this situation. There is now a need to systematically fill the gaps in know­ ledge about biodiversity and identify resulting areas of special value and interest.

9 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

1.4 BIODIVERSITY IN ITS NATURAL SURROUNDINGS Surface water Geology Of the 12 major watersheds, 4 are endorheic basins Ethiopia is located between 3°N and 1 5°N latit­ whose rivers never make it to the sea. Their surface udes and 33°E and 48°E longitudes and is a land of water ends up in lakes without an outlet from enormous geographical diversity. Altitudinal vari­ where all the water of the basin evaporates, leaving ation ranges from lower than 100 m below sea behind an accumulation of salt, whose concentra­ level in the Afar Depression to a number of peaks tion can vary from brackish to enormous solid salt in excess of 4,000 masl, of which the highest is deposits like in Lake Assale in the Afar Depres­ Ras Dejen in the Simien Mountains massif rising sion. to about1 4533 m. Much of the country consists of high plateaux and mountain ranges which are dis­ The country has some 15 major lakes, 8 of which sected by numerous streams and rivers. These lie in the Rift valley and have no outlet, mostly be­ highlands are the most extensive landmass over ing alkaline in nature with different degrees of sa­ 1,500 metres above sea level in continental Africa, linity. biologically creating a massive altitudinal “island” among a “terrestrial ocean of lowlands”. The Rift Lake Tana, with a surface area of over 3,000km², is Valley separates the country into two main blocks: the most prominent freshwater feature of the • Western and the northern highlands; and Ethiopian Highlands, and with its tributaries, it is • Eastern and south-eastern highlands. the source of the Blue Nile. At only a short dis­ These highlands descend to lowland areas in the tance from Bahir Dar, the Blue Nile drops 40 east, west and south of the country, at times very meters down creating one of the major waterfalls brusquely over short distances of escarpments and of Africa and one of the most dramatic spectacles canyons. Much of the country consists of high plat­ of the Ethiopian landscape, in spite of the fact that eaux and mountain ranges which are dissected by 70% of its water gets funnelled off into a hydrolo­ numerous streams and rivers, which at times have gical power plant. carved out deep canyons. Relaxation is prominent in resort town Bahir Dar The biogeography of the country is characterized on the shore of Lake Tana. Other resort areas re by these two dominant features – first, the ancient, found around some of the beautiful Rift Valley arid areas of the Horn of Africa, with its three lakes, including Lake Langano in the green and centres of endemism one of which, the Ogaden, pleasant southern capital of Awassa. Hotels in the falls within Ethiopia (Kingdon, 1990). Thus, the city of Arba Minch in the south overlook a land arid nature of the Ogaden means that species bridge separating Lakes Abaya and Chamo, protec­ abundance is relatively low, but its age (>100 mil­ ted in Nechsar National Park (Briggs 2009). lion years) suggests that endemism may be high. The highland plateaux are the second biogeograph­ Landscape and geomorphological highlights ical region. Although the highlands are young in Landscapes and geomorphological highlights (see geological terms – 4.5 million years according to 2) are of essential for the thematic tourism market. Kingdon 1990 – and has experienced relative cli­ As visitors travel from one destination to another, matic instability over the past 1.5million years they like to be surrounded by scenery that stimu­ (both in contrast to the arid Horn), its highland lates their imagination and admiration. Few coun­ isolation too has resulted in significant endemism. tries in Africa can boast the variety of landscapes Overall, therefore, while the arid Horn and young Ethiopia has to offer. Breathtaking scenery varies highlands are relatively impoverished in species from rugged canyons cutting more than a 1,000 m numbers, but their levels of endemism are high. deep into the highlands, to the seemingly never ending plains of the Ogaden where the Dibatag, 1 Several elevations are quoted for Ras Dejen (or Ras Ammodorcas clarkei, and Cheetah, Acinonyx Dashen). An Italian military survey measured it at jubatus, find refuge. 4620m, a height that is often quoted. A full cover survey with air photography (about 1:40,000), triangulation and The Ethiopian highlands dominate the landscape stereoscopic mapping of the whole country was carried almost everywhere in the country and set the land­ out in the late 1960s early 1970s. A subsequent Franco- scape apart from anything else in Africa. The way Italian survey established a height of 4,550m the mountain people have responded to the diffi­ (http://www.peakware.com/).

10 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia culties of the terrain are only matched in countries thin and torn, resulting in a series of faults visible where ancient cultures had to face the similar chal­ in the landscape as long parallel valleys. There is lenges, like in the Andes in Peru and in the moun­ frequent volcanic activity and lava flows occurred tain regions of Central Asia. The Konso Stone­ along the faults. The region has a large number of walled Terraces World Heritage Site volcanic phenomena like hot springs and extremely (http://whc.unesco.org) is a splendid example how, active volcanoes, with the Erta Ale Volcano being over the centuries, traditional people have shaped the most active (NASA at its site: the landscape by adapting their agricultural prac­ http://www.nasaimages.org/). tices and dwellings to their surroundings. While being the most renowned Ethiopian terraces around The Rift Valley separates the country into two Konso, similar landscaping can be found along main blocks, the western and the Northern High­ many other regions, such as around Ankobar and lands, and the south-eastern and western High­ the Simien Mountains. lands. These highlands gradually descend to low­ land areas in the east, west and south of the coun­ Completely different are the extreme lowlands of try (Ethiopian Mapping Authority, 1988). the Afar region. Geologically known as the Afar Triangle or Afar Depression of Ethiopia, the region The longest cave in Africa is located in Ethiopia at is a very active plate tectonic region (Beyene et al. Sof Omar (Catlin 1973) and offers unique oppor­ 2005). Because of the plate movements in three tunities for tourism. different directions, the Afar Triangle is stretched

Figure 2: Geological phenomena and dramatic landscapes are essential part of protected areas systems a) the jagged escarpments of the Simien Mountains, b) the Blue Nile Falls, c) the permanently molten lava lake in the Erta Ale Vol­ cano and d) the sulphur hot springs at Assale Lake.

11 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Climate versity of Ethiopia is the highest in Northern Africa Ethiopia is located in the tropics on the Northern for the same latitude (Mutke and Barthlott 2005). Hemisphere and is dominated by the Intertropical The on-line database of the Ethiopian Flora Net­ Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and two moist wind work lists 140 red-data species for Ethiopia systems, blowing from the Atlantic and Indian (http://etflora.net/databases/red-list-plants/). Many Ocean respectively. In addition, there are climatic flowers are of extraordinary beauty (see 3) and variations over relatively short distances in re­ contribute to the splendour of Ethiopia's dramatic sponse to relief and elevation differences. As a res­ landscapes. ult, the climatic conditions of Ethiopia vary from hot dry conditions in its Afar and Ogaden deserts to cold moist conditions on its mountain peaks in the Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains Na­ tional Parks. The highest mean annual rainfall sur­ passes 2,400 mm in the western highlands in the Il­ lubabor Zone of the Oromia Region. The amount of precipitation gradually decreases to about 600 mm in the North in areas bordering Eritrea, and then drops to less than 100 mm in the north-east in the Afar depression, and to around 200 mm in the south-east in the Ogaden (National Meteorological Services Agency, http://www.ethiomet.gov.et).

Figure 4: The endemic Mountain Nyale at Bale Mountains National National Park is well visible to the visitors, making it one of the wildlife treas­ ures for ecotourists.

With about 320 species of mammals, Ethiopia is one of Africa's most diverse countries for mam­ mals. A great selection of the famous African mammals is still present in the country. This di­ verse wildlife, which includes 36 endemic species (e.g. 4) of mammals (Wilson, D.E. & Reeder 2005), potentially, could make Ethiopia one of the top safari destinations in Africa. The species whose Figure 3: The Desert Rose, Adenium obesum, is conservation state is considered to be globally con­ one of the finest flowering trees in Ethiopia. cerning, include 5 critically endangered, 8 en­ Biodiversity dangered, 12 near-threatened species and 27 vul­ In response to the climatic variety, many species nerable species. For the survival of all those glob­ are only present in certain areas of the country, ally concerning species, Ethiopia plays a critical where their climatic requirements are met. As ex­ role. For a lot of people who decide to visit Africa tended high elevation levels are rather unique in their main interest is to view large mammals in Africa, the mountains are rich in species that have great variety, large numbers and at close proximity. only developed there, so the degree of endemism in Ethiopia's mountain range is quite high propor­ Yet, the large mammal populations can't be com­ tionately to the total number of species in the coun­ pared with the wildlife spectacles of Kenya or Tan­ try. The species diversity in the cool mountains, zania, but this may change considerably, once ef­ though, is much lower than in the hot moist low­ fective management comes in place. There are lands, as in general, species diversity is highest in remnant populations of Elephants, Loxodonta hot moist areas (Vreugdenhil et al. 2003). With africana, (an estimated 850), Lions, Pantera leo, about 6000 species recorded for the country – (an estimated 1,000 and an endemic subspecies) about 10% of which is endemic – the plant di­ and of most large ungulates. Spotted Hyaenas,

12 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Crocuta crocuta, are present throughout the coun­ of Natural History amphibian database on line, try. However, the remnant 1 or 2 populations of http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/, Black Rhino, Diceros bicornis, that are rumoured Largen & Spawls 2010). to still survive in the country have remained illus­ ive to the eyes of professional biologists for many decades.

Of the fauna, the best known taxon is the avifauna; more than 860 species of birds have been re­ gistered for the country, making Ethiopia the most bird species rich country in Africa.

Figure 6: African Spurred Tortoise, Geochelone sulcata. From Fishlist, (http://www.fishlist.com), the online global database for the distribution of fish species, we generated 150 species of fish living in Ethiopia, of which 41 are endemic species. Lake Tana and its tributaries, has the highest level of endemism with 19 endemic fish species (e.g. 7). Figure 5: the Ethiopian Bush-Crow is a frequent to common bird in a restricted area of about 6,000 square kilometres. This number includes 43 species restricted to Ethiopia and neighbouring states on the Horn of Africa of which 18 are endemic2 to Ethiopia (e.g. 5); 31 species are listed as species of global con­ servation concern in the IUCN Redlist (http://www.iucnredlist.org/). These numbers make Ethiopia one of the prime birdwatching destina­ tions in Africa. In addition to the latter, there are 6 species whose survival are at an undetermined level of risk. Their distribution is restricted and the effort it takes to protect them may be considerable. Particularly, we consider restricted range species with centres of distribution in Somalia, at consider­ able risk during the political instability of that Figure 7: Lake Tana has 15 endemic Barbs, many country. These numbers make Ethiopia one of the of them providing great consumption fish for local prime birdwatching destinations in Africa. communities and restaurants alike. There are some 240 reptile species (e.g. 6) recor­ ded from the Ethiopia of which 15 are endemic If well managed, some of the endemic fish species (http://www.reptile-database.org/, Largen & can be consumed sustainably, and their confine­ Spawls 2010). ment to Ethiopia creates some great opportunities for fish dishes only available in Ethiopia, thus cre­ 71 amphibians are known from the country, of ating a very special opportunity for specialized which 30 are endemic species. (American Museum Ethiopian cuisine, particularly for the fast growing resort market of Bahir Dar. 2Depending on taxonomic criteria there may be 19.

13 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

 Conserving, sustainably managing and sup­ 1.5 ETHIOPIAN PROTECTED AREAS porting Ethiopia’s rich and diverse cultural SYSTEM heritage; 1.5.1 Biodiversity policy documents  Managing protected areas as a tool for conser­ Ethiopia has a long history of conservation. The vation of genetic, species and ecosystem biod­ first recorded indigenous conservation-oriented iversity. activity took place during the reign of Emperor Zerea Yacob (1434-1468). He noted the loss of The National Policy on Biodiversity Conservation forest cover on what is now known as Wachacha and Research recognises the economic importance Mountain near Addis Ababa. Seedlings and seeds of Ethiopia's genetic resources, whether domestic were collected from juniper forests areas elsewhere or wild. Its basic aim is to ensure in situ and in situ in the country, and the present Menagesha area was conservation of Ethiopia’s biodiversity through re­ replanted. This occurred over 550 years ago, and search, collaborative management, community par­ the area is today known as the “Menagesha State ticipation, etc. Forest”. Indeed, this could be claimed as the oldest conservation area in Africa, or at least the oldest The goal of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Strategy recorded formalised conservation effort on the con­ and Action Plan has been formulated as “Effective tinent (Pankhurst, 1989). systems are established that ensure the conserva­ tion and sustainable use of Ethiopia's biodiversity, In modern day conservation, there are several that provide for the equitable sharing of the costs policies and strategies for biodiversity conserva­ and benefits arising therefrom, and that contribute tion. These include: to the well-being and security of the nation”.  the National Conservation Strategy (MNRDEP, Ethiopia's biodiversity conservation priorities are 1994c); found in the four Strategic Objectives:  the Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia (CSE)  Representative examples of Ethiopia's remain­ (EPA 1996); ing ecosystems are conserved through a net­  the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action work of effectively managed protected areas; Plan (NBSAP) (IBC 2005)  By 2020, all remaining natural ecosystems out­  the Ethiopian Forestry Action Program side the protected areas are under sustainable (EFAP), (MNRDEP, 1994a & b); and use management;  the Environmental Policy (EPA 1997).  The costs and benefits on biodiversity conser­ vation are equitably shared through a range of The latter is Ethiopia’s umbrella policy on environ­ public, private, community/CBO and NGO ment management with its overall objective to im­ partnerships for PA management and for sus­ prove the health and quality of life and promote tainable use and marketing of biodiversity; sustainable socio-economic development through  The rich agro-biodiversity of Ethiopia is effect­ sound management and use of resources and the ively conserved through a mix of in situ and ex environment. Some of the policy objectives that re­ situ programmes. late to biodiversity conservation include:  Ensuring essential ecological processes and The NBSAP also concludes that “Today, many of life support systems are sustained, biodiversity the PAs are too small and isolated to be effective. preserved and renewable natural resources Ethiopia's ecosystems are not adequately represen­ used in a way that maintains their regenerative ted within the protected areas network...” It recom­ capabilities; mends a gap analysis “to identify gaps in the cov­  Incorporating full economic, social and envir­ erage of Ethiopia's ecosystems”. onmental costs and benefits of natural resource development into planning, implementation Although there is no formalized policy document and accounting processes; on forestry, the (EFAP) does have provisions for  Ensuring people’s participation in environment the establishment of a single conservation agency management activities; responsible for coordinating management of pro­  Raising public awareness and understanding of tected forests. It proposed the gazetting of part of the essential linkages between environment the remaining natural forest estate for protection and development; and conservation purposes.

14 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia 1.5.2 International conventions 1.5.3 Legislation There are a number of policy documents and legal The Constitution of the FDRE is the overarching instruments that guide Ethiopia’s biodiversity con­ legislation that guides government’s policy. It was servation efforts in general and protected area man­ enacted in 1995 and has several articles relating to agement in particular. At the international level, the management of natural resources and the environ­ Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) ment in general, but does not specifically refer to is signatory to a number of conventions including: biodiversity conservation or protected areas man­  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); agement. Proclamation No. 691/2010 provides for  Convention on International Trade in En­ the definition of powers and duties of the executive dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora organs – including the ministries related to natural (CITES); resources management and utilization - of the Fed­  Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild eral Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia. Animals (CMS);  Agreement on the Conservation of African- Proclamation No. 192/1980 created the Forest and Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA); Wildlife Conservation and Development Authority  Convention to Combat Desertification (UN­ out of the former Wildlife Conservation Organisa­ CCD); tion and the State Forest Development Agency.  UN Framework Convention for Climate This authority no longer exists and all its powers Change ((UNFCCC), etc. are with the Ministry of Agriculture, defined under It is in the process of ratifying the Ramsar Conven­ aforementioned Proclamation No. 691/2010. tion and the Kyoto Agreement. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is Most important to in situ conservation is the CBD: an autonomous institution with powers and re­ Article 8. In situ Conservation: sponsibilities as defined in Proclamation No. “Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible 9/1995 and later in No. 295/2002. and as appropriate:  Establish a system of protected areas or areas Biodiversity conservation in general is taken care where special measures need to be taken to of by Proclamation No. 120/1998 that established conserve biological diversity; the Institute of Biodiversity and Research as an autonomous body.  Develop, where necessary, guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protected areas or areas where special meas­ ures need to be taken to conserve biological di­ versity;  Regulate or manage biological resources im­ portant for the conservation of biological di­ versity whether within or outside protected areas, with a view to ensuring their conserva­ tion and sustainable use;  Promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable popula­ tions of species in natural surroundings;  Promote environmentally sound and sustain­ able development in areas adjacent to protec­ ted areas with a view to furthering protection of these areas;  Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened spe­ cies, inter alia, through the development and implementation of plans or other management strategies.”

15 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Two proclamations shape the legislation concern­ ing the conservation of protected areas in Ethiopia: Art. 2-9/ "wildlife sanctuary" means an area desig­ 1. Development, Conservation and Utilization of nated to conserve one or more species of wildlife Wildlife Proclamation 541 of 2007; that require high conservation priority; 2. Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority Establishment Proclamation3 575 of 2008 Art. 2-10/ "wildlife reserve" means an area desig­ (8). nated to conserve wildlife where indigenous local communities are allowed to live together with and conserve the wildlife;

Art. 2-11/ "wildlife controlled hunting area" means an area designated to conserve wildlife and to carry out legal and controlled hunting; …..

Article 3. Objectives Art. 3-1/ to conserve, manage, develop and prop­ erly utilize the wildlife resources of Ethiopia; Art. 3-2/ to create conditions necessary for dischar­ ging government obligations assumed under treat­ ies regarding the conservation, development, and utilization of wildlife; Art. 3-3/ to promote wildlife-based tourism and to encourage private investment.

Art. 4-1/ The following wildlife conservation Figure 8: EWCA Headquarters areas4 shall be designated and administered by the Federal Government: Development, Conservation and Utilization of a) National parks that are nationally and Wildlife Proclamation 541/2007 globally significant and known to have Some of the most relevant articles/subarticles in representative ecological zones and em­ this proclamation relevant to the scope of this brace immense diversity of wildlife; study are cited as follows: b) National parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are inhabited by the country's en­ Art. 2-1/ “wildlife” means any live or dead verteb­ demic and endangered species; rate or invertebrate animal, other than domestic c) Any wildlife conservation areas geograph­ animal, and includes its habitat; ically situated within two or more re­ gions; Art. 2-7/ "wildlife conservation area means, an d) Any transboundary wildlife conservation area designated for the conservation of wildlife, areas that may be established in accord­ and includes national wildlife conservation parks, ance with agreements with neighbouring wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and wildlife countries; controlled hunting areas; …..

Art. 2-8/ "national park" means an area designated Art. 5-1/ The following wildlife conservation to conserve wildlife and associated natural re­ areas, unless designated and administered by the sources to preserve the scenic and scientific value, Federal Government pursuant to Article 4 of this of the area, which may includes lakes and other Proclamation, shall be designated and admin­ aquatic areas; istered by regions: a) National parks; b) Wildlife sanctuaries; 3 While the name “Ethiopian Wildlife Development and Conservation Authority” is the legally established 4 Under the definition of the Proclamation, both national name, the authority is more commonly known as parks and wildlife sanctuaries fall under IUCN protec­ Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation Authority “, the ted areas “Category 2” ( Dudley 2008, see Annex 5 for name applied in this document. definition of all categories)

16 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

c) Wildlife reserves; serve biological diversity”. The question is d) Wildlife controlled hunting areas. whether the proclamation only is mandated with ….. the conservation of fauna elements. In order to comply with the CBD, which targets the conserva­ Art. 7. Wildlife Conservation Areas to be Ad­ tion of both flora and fauna, the Proclamation im­ ministered by Local Communities plicitly in part assumes the mandate for fauna as Wildlife habitats other than the conservation areas well as for flora. referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6 of this Proclama­ tion may be authorized by the concerned re­ Art. 4-1/a determines that national parks and sanc­ gions to be administered by the local communit­ tuaries of global and national significance having ies. representative ecological zones and embrace im­ Articles5 8 and 9 regulate permits for respectively mense diversity of wildlife be administered by the hunting and the collection of wildlife and wildlife Federal Government. products for scientific purposes. While the term “representative ecological zones” is Ethiopian Wildlife Authority Establishment not commonly used in international conventions, Proclamation 575/2008 its closest interpretation is “ecosystems”. In the fourth section of its article 8 the CBD defines that Art. 3. Establishment the parties agree to: “Promote the protection of Art. 3-1/ The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Au­ ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance thority (hereinafter referred to as the “Authority”) of viable populations of species in natural sur­ is hereby established as an autonomous public roundings”. Aforementioned interpretation of the agency of the Federal Government. term clearly requires the inclusion of entire ecosys­ Art. 4-2/ The Authority shall be accountable to the tems in the national parks, thus making flora ele­ Ministry. ments in the ecosystems an explicit component of the national parks. Art. 5. Objectives The objectives of the Authority shall be to ensure Later in this study it will be explained that the the development, conservation, and sustainable concept of “ecosystem” has been used as a defin­ utilization of the country’s wildlife resource. able and mappable unit.

1.5.3.1 National and global significance Moreover, the Proclamation explicitly has added to The present study has been commissioned under the mandate of the Federation to administer “rep­ the understanding that a gap-analysis be performed resentative ecological zones” as areas of “immense to identify gaps in the protection of biodiversity in diversity”. The highest biodiversity per land unit the protected areas system. Proclamation 541/2007 are found in the forests, and by defining the cri­ focusses on “wildlife”. To what extend does the terion “immense diversity”, no other legal inter­ Proclamation coincide with the what is understood pretation is possible than that the Proclamation im­ to be “biological diversity” and to what extend can plicitly includes both fauna and flora elements as it comply with the CBD? they live together in viable ecosystems.

Art. 2-2 defines that all fauna, including lower taxa Art. 4-1/a determines that national wildlife conser­ as well as their habitat is included in the term wild­ vation parks and sanctuaries that include endemic life. and endangered species be administered by the Federal Government. In this article, the Proclama­ In objective 3-2, the Proclamation is refers to the tion does not restrict the protection to endemic and relevant international conventions, among which endangered wildlife species. As it is formulated, it particularly the CBD is directly related with pro­ refers to all endemic and endangered species, fauna tected areas conservation. In Article 8 of the CBD, and flora alike. With the forests and the forest plant the parties agree to: and tree species being the most threatened ecosys­ “Establish a system of protected areas or areas tems in the country, this sub-article once again cor­ where special measures need to be taken to con­ roborates that representative threatened natural forests fall under the mandate of the federation. 5 EWCA does not manage controlled hunting areas, it merely regulates the hunting in those areas through li­ censes.

17 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority Es­ restaurants and tourism services are being built and tablishment Proclamation, in its article 5, charges initiated, the tourism industry may rise to one of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority with the nation's largest foreign exchange earners over “the development, conservation, and sustainable the next few decades. utilization of the country’s wildlife resource”, which is the execution of the Development, Con­ Lessens can be learned from the Federal Republic servation and Utilization of Wildlife Proclamation. of the United States of Mexico, which in the mid nineties found itself in similar conditions as After analysing the Development, Conservation Ethiopia at the present. Through very close collab­ and Utilization of Wildlife Proclamation 541/2007 oration between the Mexican Federation and its we came to the conclusion that it sets out a holistic States as well as many local communities, many approach to the conservation and management of problems have been solved. Later in this report we conservation of fauna, flora and ecosystems in pro­ will make some suggestions on how a 4 level col­ tected areas of national and global significance. laboration can be institutionalized, involving the Therefore it would make sense to develop a pro­ Federation, the States, the local communities and tected areas system that is representative of all the private sector. biodiversity, including some natural forests of national and global significance. 1.5.3.2 Biosphere reserves A special analysis of the nature and function of Proclamation 541/2007 considers national parks Biosphere Reserves is needed; a broader analysis and sanctuaries areas of national or global signific­ can be found at Annex 5 and at the the UNESCO ance if they embrace “representative ecological website http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sci­ zones and / or immensely diverse wildlife and / or ences/environment/ecological-sciences/bio­ “are inhabited by the country's endemic and en­ sphere-reserves/. Ethiopia has the following Bio­ dangered species”. Many migratory wetland bird sphere Reserves: species fall under the criterion “endangered” and it 1. Kaffa-Bonga would make sense to categorically consider wet­ 2. Yayu lands with important populations of migratory wet­ 3. Lake Tana land birds protected areas of global significance. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and Geomorphological highlights are not mentioned in coastal/marine ecosystems, or a combination the Proclamation, but if they are unique, interna­ thereof, which are internationally recognized tionally very rare or unique, a case could be made within the framework of UNESCO's Programme to assign them also the status of “globally signific­ on Man and the Biosphere. They are established to ant” status as they can be be irreversibly damaged promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship if not properly protected. between humans and the biosphere. Biosphere Re­ serves are designated by the International Coordin­ After the overthrow of the Derg, the management ating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Pro­ of the protected areas was mandated to the Re­ gramme (MAB) Programme at the request of the gional State Governments. However, the GoE re- State concerned. Individual Biosphere Reserves re­ federalized the management of a number of the main under the sovereign jurisdiction of the State protected areas by commissioning them to EWCA, where they are situated. and thereby creating a joint biodiversity conserva­ tion system in which the Federal level EWCA Contrary to the World Heritage Sites – which must works intimately with its counterpart institutions at be of outstanding universal value in accordance the regional level. Together they now make up an with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of integral system of protected areas in which each the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) – level of governance collaborates with the other in the Biosphere Reserves are part of a UNESCO sci­ order to achieve the nation's commitment to the entific programme, governed by a "soft law", the Convention of Biodiversity. Together, they con­ Statutory Framework for Biosphere Reserves ad­ serve the wealth of nature for present and future opted by the UNESCO General Conference and generations of Ethiopians, so they can always en­ which all countries are committed to apply. In con­ joy their nation's natural heritage and benefit from sequence, the UNESCO Secretariat does not have a the economic opportunities that well-protected na­ ‘police function’ and it is the responsibility of each tional parks bring to both the federal economy as a country, through its MAB National Committee or whole and to each Regional State. As more hotels, Focal Point, to ensure that the biosphere reserves

18 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia respond to the criteria and function properly. In Afar Regional State Pastoral Agricultural De­ other words, each individual country is responsible velopment Bureau to set its own criteria and apply the necessary le­ Semera, Ethiopia gislation that deems is necessary for its biosphere reserves to function satisfactorily. Amhara National Regional State Culture, Tour­ ism and Parks Development Bureau Biosphere reserves are organized into 3 interrelated Bahir Dar, Ethiopia zones: 3. a legally constituted core area or areas de­ Benishangul-Gumuz National Regional State voted to long term protection; Culture Tourism and Parks Bureau 4. a buffer zone or zones clearly identified and Assosa, Ethiopia surrounding or contiguous to the core area or areas, where only activities compatible with Gambella People's National Regional State Cul­ the conservation objectives can take place..."; ture, Tourism and Parks Bureau 5. An outer transition area where sustainable Gambella, Ethiopia resource management practices are promoted and developed". The transition area is by Regional State of Oromia Forest and Wildlife definition not delimited in space, but rather is Enterprise changing in size according to the problems Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that arise over time. Somali Regional State Livestock Crop and Only the core area requires legal protection and Rural Development Bureau hence can correspond to an existing protected area Jigjiga, Ethiopia such as a nature reserve or a national park. The other two zones the 'buffer zone” and the “outer Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's transition zone” could be considered zoning con­ Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau cepts rather than protected areas, in which different Hawassa, Ethiopia forms of landuse is regulated to embed the core areas in surroundings that are friendly to the con­ Tigray National Regional State Culture and servation of biodiversity in the latter. Parks Bureau Mekele, Ethiopia In the case of Ethiopia they are regionally gazetted by proclamation. Given their international recogni­ A close and systematic collaboration between tion, it would probably be desirable to also gazette EWCA and the regional state offices will be the the core areas under the Development, Conserva­ only way for biodiversity conservation in tion and Utilization of Wildlife Proclamation Ethiopia to be successful. 541/2007 in one of the protected categories that is defined under the Proclamation. The other zone 1.5.3.4 The areas categories, “bufferzone” and “outer transition area” The regulations that rule the administration of the may or may not need to be formulated as legal protected areas administered by EWCA are defined zones, depending on the legislation of the Regional in Regulation No. 163/2008, Council of Ministers State where the Biosphere Reserve is located. As Regulations to Provide for Wildlife Development, biosphere reserves place protected areas in in a lar­ Conservation and Utilization. Regarding the pro­ ger planning and zoning context, the model tected areas, the following articles are important: provides great opportunities for protecting biod­ iversity while sharing the benefits with the sur­ Art. 3: Boundaries of Wildlife Conservation Areas rounding communities. The existing boundaries of national parks, wildlife reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife controlled 1.5.3.3 Regional and urban protected areas admin­ hunting areas, community wildlife development, istrations protection and utilization areas shall be maintained The protected areas system is made up of a net­ or they may be re-delineated by the Federal and re­ work of protected areas managed by EWCA and gional governments to improve their management. regional protected areas administrations and in some cases communities: Art. 4: Wildlife Conservation Areas to be admin­ istered by the Federal and Regional Governments

19 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

1 Pursuant to the criteria provided for under k) bee keeping or honey harvesting, removing sub-articles (1) of Article 4 of Proclama­ or attempting to remove tion, Simien Mountains National Park, wildlife products; Bale Mountains National Park, Nechsar6 l) constructing roads or other structures or National Park, Omo National Park, Abijata spoiling or disturbing the existing natural Shala Lakes National Park, Awash Na­ landscapes; tional Park, Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary, Babille Elephant Sanctuary, m) using, spraying or disposing any pesticide Gambella National Park, Alatish National or herbicide; Park, Kafta Shiraro National Park and Ger­ n) selling or offering for sale any goods or alle National Park shall be administered by providing services; the Authority; provided however, that the Authority may, where necessary, delegate o) displaying any notice or advertisement. its powers to the appropriate organs of re­ Art. 5/2 defines under which conditions certain gional governments. activities are allowed under license by either fed­ eral or regional authorities. 2 Wildlife conservation areas other than those specified under sub-article (1) of this The definition of the boundaries is undergoing re­ Article shall be administered by the re­ vision in most areas; not only for areas to be ad­ gional governments and local communit­ ministrated by EWCA, but also by the mandated ies. authorities of the regional states. This is an ongo­ Art. 5: Prohibited Activities in National Parks, ing activity that is expected to continue for some Wildlife Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserves: time. It is recommended that once the boundar­ 1 No person shall carry out any of the fol­ ies have been re-defined unambiguously, that lowing activities in a national park, they be established in appropriate legal docu­ wildlife sanctuary or wildlife reserve un­ mentation. For each area the boundaries need less otherwise provided in these to be defined. All boundaries need to be plotted Regulations: correctly in a GIS; where available from legally a) possessing or transferring of any weapon; established coordinates, where natural (river) or physical (roads) boundaries are used, they b) hunting or fishing; could best be walked with a GPS. c) propelling any vehicle, aircraft or boat; The current Ethiopia Protected Areas system (Fed­ d) picking, disturbing, destroying, damaging eral and Regional combined) has changed consid­ or defacing any natural or man-made ob­ erably since its creation. 1 and (9) reflects the situ­ ject; ation as on February 2012. The system is expected e) undertaking agricultural activities or pre­ undergo further change. Additionally, there are na­ paring land for cultivation; tional forests in which a variety of management objectives exist, including many eucalyptus planta­ f) allowing to graze and water domestic an­ tions for the production of construction and fuel imals; wood (see 10). g) allowing, passing through or keeping any domestic or wild animals; Table 1: Protected areas h) undertake exploration and mining; i) planting, cutting, chopping, removing, tak­ Area Managed by Estab­ Area in ing, damaging or transferring any plant lished ha species; National Parks managed by EWCA Abijata Shala Oromia 1963 88,700 j) setting or attempting to set fire; Lakes Alatish Amhara 1997 266,600 6 Several forms of spelling are known for Abijata Shalla Awash Oromia & Afar 1958 75,600 Nechsar and for Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctu­ Bale Mountains Oromia 1962 247,100 ary. This Regulation being a legal document, establishes Gambella Gambella 1966 506,100 the official spellings of the protected areas involved, Geralle Somali 1998 385,800 which have been followed throughout this document.

20 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Area Managed by Estab­ Area in Area Managed by Estab­ Area in lished ha lished ha Kafta Shiraro7 Tigray 1999 250,000 Adaba-Dodola Oromia 2010 73,600 Nechsar SNNP 1966 51,400 Aluto Oromia 28,000 Omo SNNP 1959 406,800 Arba-Gugu Oromia 2005 34,100 Simien Moun­ Amhara 1959 41,200 Besemena-Oddo Oromia 2003 35,000 tains Bulu Bilen Hertalie Afar - 109,000 Yangudi Rassa Afar 1969 473,100 Chiffra Afar 1998 51,000 National Parks and Sanctuaries managed by the Re­ gions Dembel Ayisha Somali 91,000 Bahir Dar Blue Amhara 2008 472,900 Adigala Nile river Mil­ Dindin Oromia - 28,000 lennium Hanto Oromia 2001 19,000 Arsi Mountains Oromia Hurufa Suma Oromia 2000 21,500 Borena Sayent Amhara 2009 4,400 Haro Aba Dika Oromia 2010 20,000 Chebera SNNP 2007 119,000 Melke Sadi Afar Churchura Munessa Oromia 2003 11,100 Dati Wolel Oromia 2008 43,100 Murulle SNNP - 69,000 Denkoro Chaka Amhara 1999 38,117 Shedem Berbere Oromia 1988 17,000 Gibe Sheleko SNNP 2010 24,800 Shinilie Meto Somali 48,400 Kuni Muktar Oromia 150,000 Sororo Torgum Oromia 2000 7,800 Leka SNNP Telalk Dewe Afar - 72,820 Loka Abaya SNNP 2010 50,000 Welshet Sala SNNP 2000 35,000 Mago SNNP 1984 194,200 Wergan Bula Oromia 2010 7,800 Maze SNNP 2007 20,200 Open controlled hunting areas managed by the Re­ Yabello Oromia 1978 250,000 gions Biosphere Reserves Debre Libanos Oromia - 3,100 Kaffa-Bonga SNNP 2010 Gara Gumbi Oromia - 14,000 Yayu Oromia 2011 Gara Meti Oromia - 24,000 Lake Tana Amhara 2011 Gelila Duru Afar - 14,000 Wildlife Sanctuaries managed by EWCA Jibat Oromia - 10,000 Babile Elephant Oromia & Somali 1962 698,200 Sinana Oromia - 1,500 Sanctuary Senkele Oromia & SNNP 1964 5,400 Swayne’s Harte­ beest Sanctuary Wildlife Reserves managed by the Regions Alledeghi Afar 193,389 Awash west Afar 415,000 Bale Oromia 127,922 Chelbi SNNP - 421,200 Gewane Afar Mille Serdo Afar 650,354 Community Conservation Areas Abune Yosef Amhara Guassa Menz Amhara Tama SNNP - 166,500 Simien Gibe SNNP 2001 4,900 Garameba SNNP 2001 2,500 Controlled hunting areas managed by the Regions Abasheba Dem­ Oromia 2004 21,000 ero

7 Recent boundary adjustments probably have resulted in an area half that size.

21 Gap Analysis of the Ethiopian Protected Areas System

Figure 9:

Protected areas as of March 2012

22 Gap Analysis of the Ethiopian Protected Areas System

Figure 10:

National Forests

23 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

1.5.4 Related institutions The Ministry of Agriculture shall have the Ministry of Culture and Tourism powers and duties to: …...” In general the Ministry of Culture and Tourism 1 o) ensure the proper execution of functions (MCT) is responsible for developing and promot­ relating to agricultural research, conserva­ ing the tourist products of Ethiopia both within tion of biodiversity and the administration the country and internationally. In doing so, the of agricultural investment lands entrusted MCT closely works together with different na­ to the federal government on the basis of tional and international stakeholders. It publicizes powers of delegation obtained from re­ the country's tourist attractions and encourages the gional states. development of tourist facilities. It also licenses 2 ... the powers and duties given to the Min­ and supervises tourist facilities such as hotels and istry of Agriculture and Rural Develop­ tour operators, and sets their standards. It is also ment by the provisions of other laws, cur­ responsible for the promotion and preservation of rently in force, are hereby given to the the living and physical cultural expressions. Ministry of Agriculture. “ Moreover, it is mandated for wildlife management through EWCA, which is part of the MCT. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has a small forestry sector (formally the Forestry and Wildlife Proclamation No. 691/2010, which restructures all Conservation and Development Authority) deal­ ministries of the Federal Government, defines in ing with the federal forestry policy. The actual its Art. 31. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism management of forest resources is bestowed on the Regional States. Notwithstanding the powers Most relevant to EWCA are the following sub art­ of each Regional State to administer its forest re­ icles: sources in accordance with Sub-Article (1) of Art­ icle 18 of this Proclamation, MoA may take over 8 “promote widely the country's tourist attrac­ and administer a state forest in cases where: tions and its positive image on the world a) The forest could not be properly conserved tourism market, and encourage domestic and developed jointly by neighbouring Re­ tourism; gional States; 9 ensure that the country's tourist attractions b) It is deemed necessary to administer the forest are identified, properly developed and or­ by the Ministry upon the request of the Re­ ganized, tourist facilities are expanded, and gional State; or that local communities share the benefits de­ c) It becomes necessary to administer the forest rived from tourism; by the Ministry because of its national and in­ 10 facilitate the studying and preservation of ternational significance. the country's natural heritages and the devel­ opment and utilization of them as tourist at­ Mandate tractions; ensure the proper management of The Forest Development, Conservation and Util­ ization Proclamation No. 542/2007, that the Min­ wildlife conservation areas designated to be 8 administered by the federal government; istry of Agriculture : “ 11 set and supervise the enforcement of stand­ d) ensure the implementation of this Proclama­ ards for tourist facilities; tion and regulations and directives issued here 14 collect, compile and disseminate information under by coordinating the appropriate federal on culture and tourism.” and regional bodies and providing technical support for them; e) follow up and monitor activities of forest de­ Contact data: velopment, conservation and utilization and, http://www.tourismethiopia.gov.et/ based on the information generated, formulate new policy ideas and update as necessary the Ministry of Agriculture existing policy, strategy and law; Proclamation No. 691/2010, defines in its Art. 19. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). Most directly related to forestry and biodiversity 8 Proclamation No. 691/2010 Art. 19 renames the conservation are the following sub-articles: former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to Ministry of Agriculture.

24 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia f) prepare forest technology packages that allow The mandate of the Federal Police includes: proper utilization of indigenous and foreign  Law enforcement and the safeguarding of con­ knowledge, practices and technologies on stitutional guarantees; forest development, conservation and utiliza­  Prevention and detection of crime; tion and provide technical support to enhance  The coordination of national states police the knowledge and skills of forest developers; commissions and development of National g) establish a continuous information exchange standards; network with the concerned federal and re­  training and operational support to regional gional bodies on the current forest status of police commissions. the country; h) follow up current situations and provide tech­ Contact data nical support to the Regional States in order to No contact data and internet presence available supply competitive forest products to the world market in addition to having met the Regional Police domestic demand. In each region, the regional police functions under its own legislation with similar mandates. Relationship to EWCA In general, there is an overlap with EWCA tasks Relationship to EWCA in forested areas. Even though the EWCA scouts have the mandate to enforce the legislation regarding protected Proclamation No. 542/2007 defines “"forest land" areas, assistance from police officers is paramount means a land that is demarcated for the purpose of whenever serious conflicts arise or may be expec­ forest development and conservation and covered ted. Periodic meetings between the warden and with forest and includes bushy and barren land the local police chief(s) would be good practice. found on steep slopes;”. Under this definition, any area with some trees or shurbs, including savan­ Police involvement is particularly important in nahs, can be managed as forest reserves on all nat­ situations of conflict, while police also may be is ural resources management, varying from produc­ involved in the arrest of poachers and the confis­ tion forestry, foraging, controlled hunting to wild­ cation of illegal wild animal products. The degree life protection. However, while EWCA primarily of cooperation varies from area to area. manages areas of national interest, the MoA primarily supervises management carried out by Regional Governments, thus primarily setting na­ Ethiopian Armed Forces tional policies and guidelines and performing Mandate monitoring tasks. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) is the military of Ethiopia. Civil direction of the mil­ The sharing of biodiversity monitoring data itary is carried out through the Ministry of De­ would be desirable, as well as management co­ fence, which oversees the ground, air, as well as ordination in adjacent areas. the military industry.

The ENDF consists of the four branches: Ground Police Forces, Ethiopian Air Force, Police, and Militia. Mandate Being a landlocked country, Ethiopia today has no Federal Police navy. The mission of the Federal Police in Ethiopia is the prevention of crime, the protection of life and Contact data property, the preservation of peace, order and No contact data and internet presence available safety, the enforcement of laws and the safeguard­ ing of constitutional guarantees in partnership and cooperation of the community. With customer ser­ vices as our foundation, we are driven by goals to investigate problems and incidents to seek solu­ tions in partnership with the community and to forge a sense of security in neighbourhoods.

25 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Relationship to EWCA obligations on biodiversity to which Ethiopia is a The ENDF is based in all parts of Ethiopia, in­ party. cluding in some of the protected areas in border regions. With so many posts and staff in the field, The IBC has overall ten technical Departments: EWCA could highly benefit from collaboration five departments for plant genetic resources con­ with the ENDF. Particularly military field posts servation: could assist the scouts in the field by joining  Forest and Aquatic Plants Department; routine patrols, which would be of mutual benefit,  Medicinal Plants Department; as the same patrols would also serve for border  Horticultural Plants Department; patrol purposes, thereby providing higher effi­  Field crops and Pasture Department; ciency of government staff.  Forage plant genetic resources Department.

Additionally it has the following departments: Fishery  Animal Genetic Resources; At the federal level, the status of the fishery ad­  Microbial Genetic Resources; ministration was down-scaled from a Department  Ecosystem Conservation; to a Team, and further to the current expert repres­  Biotechnology and Bio-safety; entation in a big Animal and Fisheries Develop­ ment Technology Team of the Animal and Fisher­  Ethnobiology; ies Development and Regulatory Department un­ The Institute has also four Services. der the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Devel­ opment (MoARD). Relationship to EWCA Globally, the value of biodiversity as a key com­ Mandate ponent of the environment was recognized during The current mandate is unknown. the build-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio Relationship to EWCA de Janeiro in 1992. During this conference, Fishery appears to be unregulated at the federal Ethiopia endorsed and signed the CBD. Since level, or at least there is no regulatory law en­ then, the Environmental Protection Authority took forcement if it exists. This is serious, as it leaves the lead as a focal point of CBD until 2005. fish stock subject to exhaustive over-exploitation if not subject to state regulatory oversight. Based on the priority objectives, the IBC will con­ tinue to develop scientific strategies for all the rel­ With 41 endemic fish species for Ethiopia, there evant biological resources conservation and sus­ seems to be a regulatory gap and the federal level tainable utilization. International standards will be that should secure the survival of endemic fish adopted and special efforts will be made to tackle species. Protection of spawning zones and seasons the enormous qualitative and quantitative dimen­ seems paramount. sions of conservation problems unique to Ethiopia. In addition to seed storage, the Institute Contact data will make a major effort to increase in situ conser­ No contact data and internet presence has been vation in relevant ecosystems. A major component found. of these plans will be the conservation of species where many of the wild and weedy relatives of cultivated crops species will exist. On site conser­ vation of indigenous and local animal species, Institute of Biodiversity Conservation both domestic and wild, will be enhanced. New Mandate and appropriate conservation techniques and The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) methodologies will be adopted for aquatic and ter­ has mandate and duties related to the conservation restrial biodiversity. and promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes maintaining and developing interna­ Moreover, the Ecosystems Department has the tional relations with bilateral and multilateral bod­ following responsibilities, which are closely re­ ies having the potential to providing technical as­ lated to the in situ conservation mandate of sistance. The institute is commissioned to imple­ EWCA: ment international conventions, agreements and

26 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

 Bioregional planning for ecosystem conserva­  Undertaking monitoring and effectiveness tion and management; evaluation of the environmental system in  Identification of threatened and endangered place. ecosystems and their threatening processes and activities; Objective  Management of threatened and endangered The objective of the Authority is to formulate ecosystems and their threatening processes policies, strategies, laws and standards, which and activities; foster social and economic development in a man­  Ecosystem pollution by exotic species; ner that enhance the welfare of humans and the  Ecosystem pollution by Chemicals; safety of the environment sustainably, and to  Fire management and burning control; spearhead in ensuring the effectiveness of the pro­  Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded cess of their implantation. ecosystems; Relation to EWCA  Conservation and research in protected areas It formulated strategies and policies related to Contact data: biodiversity and wildlife and it is the operational P. O. Box: 30726, focal point of the Global Environment Facility. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 661 2244 / 662 7396 Contact data: Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 661 3722 P. O. Box: 1519 Code 1250 E-mail: [email protected] Addis Ababa, Ethiopia http://www.ibc-et.org/ Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 550 7172 (+521) - (0)11 - 554 4554 (+521) - (0)911 402 403 Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 554 4556 E-mail: [email protected] EPA was established under the Ministry of Nat­ ural Resources Development and Environmental P. O. Box: 30726 Protection (MNRDEP), in May 1994. Later, EPA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as environmental regulatory and monitoring body Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 661 2244 / 662 7396 has become independent institution and re-estab­ Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 661 3722 lished by proclamation no. 295/2002. Its head E-mail: [email protected] quarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Melca Mahiber Vision Ensure that a participatory environmental man­ agement for sustainable development governs the Forestry Research Center use of environmental resources by the present and Contact data future generations in each sector at each adminis­ P. O. Box 30708 trative level. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia No internet presence available. Mission Put in place an environmental management sys­ tem that could support the national development Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Re­ efforts by avoiding duplication of efforts among search stakeholders, promoting sustainable utilization of Mandate environmental resources and strengthening co­ The Ethiopian Agricultural Research System ordinated but differentiated responsibilities (EARS) consist of Ethiopian Institute of Agricul­ through: tural Research (EIAR), and Higher Learning Insti­  Preparing the State of Environment Report; tutions (HLIs). The EARS comprises 55 research  Development of environmental strategic plan; centres and sites located across various agro-eco­  Formulation of environmental laws and stand­ logical zones. The research centres vary in their ards; experience, human, facility, and other resources capacities. Some of the research centres and sites  Provision of support for environmental regu­ have one or more sub-centres and testing sites. latory bodies and implementers; and

27 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

EIAR is responsible for the running of federal re­  To share with clients the accumulated experi­ search centres, and Regional Agricultural Re­ ence and knowledge of the College, in the search Institutes (RARIs), administered by the re­ form of expert advice and consultancy ser­ gional state governments. vices;  To participate in the conservation and devel­ Mandate opment of the natural resources of the coun­ The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, try, by creating a forum to assist policy is charged with the responsibility for providing makers, professionals, users, extension work­ the overall coordination of agricultural research ers, etc., in the rehabilitation and sustainable countrywide, and advising the Federal Govern­ development of the sector. ment on agricultural research policy formulation. Relationship to EWCA Core Mandates: Training professionals and carry out research and  Promotion of improved agricultural technolo­ monitoring of natural resources, including natural gies; ecosystems.  Popularization of improved technologies;  Coordination of the national agricultural Re­ Contact data search programmes; P. O. Box 128  Capacity building of Researchers. Shashemene, Ethiopia Tel: 251 (0)46 110 9900 Contact data Fax: 251 (0)46 110 9983 P.O Box 2003 Email: [email protected] Addis Ababa, Ethiopia http://www.wgcf-nr.org/ http://www.eiar.gov.et/ Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 6462633/41 Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 6461294 Addis Ababa University, Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management Program Unit Mandate Research and higher education of applied plant Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Nat­ biology and management with wide applications ural Resources (WGCF-NR) and strong connection with human livelihoods. The College currently runs various programmes http://www.aau.edu.et/index.php/plant-bio­ for undergraduate and graduate degrees. Besides logy-and-biodiversity-overview education, the College is engaged in research and No address available. extension activities.

Mandate Horn of Africa Regional Environment WGCF-NR has a threefold mandate: training/edu­ Centre and Network (HoA-REC/N)Horn of cation, research and extension in the area of Africa Regional Environment Centre and forestry in particular, and natural resources in gen­ Network (HoA-REC/N) eral. Specifically, the objectives of the College The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre are: and Network (HoA-REC/N) focuses on environ­  To produce intermediate and high-level pro­ mental concerns and sustainable development op­ fessionals in the field of Forestry and Natural tions within the Horn of Africa. The Centre is an Resources, who can work at different levels as autonomous institution under Addis Ababa Uni­ field technicians, educators, researchers and versity. It facilitates, strengthens and advocates for decision-makers initiatives related to environmental conservation  To conduct research in forestry and natural re­ and natural resource management. sources, so as to provide information that con­ tributes to solving the day-to-day challenges Ultimately, the Centre and Network aim to im­ in the discipline; by so doing, to improve the prove environmental governance and management living conditions of the population; by focusing on:  To disseminate research findings to users and stakeholders of the College in general;

28 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

 Promoting and advocating environmental in September 1966. EWNHS is a not-for-profit knowledge, awareness and behavioural grass-roots indigenous national-level conservation change NGO, one of the most prominent in Ethiopia ad­  Influencing the adjustment of environmental vocating for wise use and conservation of biod­ policies and legislation based on enhanced iversity, natural resources and environment. His and enlarged dialogues on environmental is­ Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie used to be the sues Patron of the Society. As the oldest non-govern­  Building institutional and human capacity in mental environmental conservation organization the environmental sphere in Ethiopia, EWNHS has played decisive roles in  Stimulating and facilitating selected environ­ the appreciation and conservation of the natural mental programmes of CBOs, NGOs, re­ heritage of the country for almost five decades. search institutions and academia The society is member of Birdlife International and its official representative. Vision The vision of the Horn of Africa Regional Envir­ EWNHS has been re-registered and licensed as an onment Centre and Network is to contribute to: Ethiopian Residents Charity in December 2009 by  Sustainable development, the Agency established to manage Charities and  Environmental conservation and Societies in accordance with the Charities and So­ cieties Proclamation No. 621/2009.  Prevention of conflict escalation around ac­ cess to natural resources in the Horn of Africa Contact data: P. O. Box 13303 Mission Bole Sub City To attain the above stated vision, the Centre and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Network have formulated the following mission: Tel: (251) - (0)11 663 6792/ 651 1737 / 38 To improve environmental governance and man­ Fax: (251) - (0)11 618 6879 agement in the Horn of Africa Region, encom­ E-mail: [email protected] passing Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, [email protected] Kenya, Somalia and Eritrea. http://www.ewnhs.org.et Relationship to EWCA Ethiopia is part of the target countries of HoA- REC/N and functions as an interface between en­ Ethiopian Wetlands association (EWNRA) vironmental and conservation institutions in Contact data: neighbouring countries. HoA-REC/N also is in­ Afework Hailu strumental in the execution of regional conserva­ P. O. Box 1518 (Code 1110) tion programmes from which EWCA may benefit. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (+521) - (0)9 635 720 Contact data: E-mail: [email protected] College of Natural Sciences Addis Ababa university Arat Kilo Campus Ethiopian Tour Operators Association P. O. Box 80773 Established in 2003, the Ethiopian Tour Operators Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Association (ETOA) is a professional association Tel: (+251) - (0)11 655 0226 representing the legally registered Tour Operators Email: [email protected] in the tourism industry of Ethiopia. Currently, http://www.hoarec.org 2012, ETOA is composed of more than 150 tour and travel agency companies.

1.5.5 NGOs and the private sector Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History So­ ciety The Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Soci­ ety (EWNHS) is an independent member­ ship-based Society, legally established in Ethiopia

29 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Mission  Educate the travel industry, government agen­ Mission cies and the public about tourism, meaning of Contribute towards: vacation packages and tour operators;  Sustainable use of coffee, forest biodiversity  Foster a high level of professionalism with in and the environment through research, educa­ the tourism industry; tion, information dissemination and practical  Facilitate and develop travel on a world wide implementation of scientifically proven con­ basis; cepts,  Encourage visitors to explore Ethiopia and ex­  Development of market-based solutions for perience real country life; conservation of biodiversity; and  Play a big role in promoting Ethiopia;  Environment through identification of pay­  Help the sector in the promotion and develop­ ments for ecosystem services that contribute ment of the industry; to the improvement of the livelihood of local  Help fight problems facing the sector and in communities that have guarded forest re­ particular tour operators. sources and biodiversity for generations.

ETOA has formed six committees: Regional issue, ECFF focuses on developing strategies for sus­ membership recruitment and advocacy, conflict tainable use and conservation of the environment resolution, hotels and air lines, fund raising, pro­ in general, and the coffee forests in particular, motion and advertising. The committees work at through thematic research on conservation plan­ solving collective and individual problems of its ning, education and pilot implementation of the members with various federal and regional gov­ research results. ernment offices, institutions and tourism related offices. Relationship to EWCA Coffee grows in forests in protected areas or areas ETOA seeks to develop best practice guide lines that would be of potential interest to EWCA. A and develop a long term sustainable strategy for dialogue with ECFF could find common interests, the sector and tour operators. like protecting wild coffee stocks in some protec­ ted areas and conflict resolution in bordering Relationship to EWCA areas. For EWCA and the Ministry as a whole, the ETOA is an important platform for dialogue with Contact data: the tourism sector. P.O. Box 28513 Addis Ababa Contact data: Ethiopia P. O. Box 27548 /1000 Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 515-1694 Addis Ababa Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 515-1684 Ethiopia E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 5508-444 http://www.ecff.org.et/ (+521) - (0)11 - 5508-445 Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 5508-446 NABU E-mail: [email protected] Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU), which http://www.ethiopiantourassociation.com stands for Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union, is one of the oldest and biggest environ­ ment associations in Germany. The association Environment and Coffee Forest Forum encompasses more than 450,000 members and The Environment and Coffee Forest Forum sponsors, who commit themselves to the conser­ (ECFF) is an Ethiopian membership-based organ­ vation of threatened habitats, flora and fauna, to ization registered and Licensed as a Resident climate protection and energy policy. Charity on November 5, 2009 by the Charities and Societies Agency of the Federal Democratic Re­ NABU`s main objectives are the preservation of public of Ethiopia (Registration No. 0378) in ac­ habitats and biodiversity, the promotion of sus­ cordance with the Charities and Societies Pro­ tainability in agriculture, forest management and clamation No. 521/2009. water supply and distribution, as well as to en­

30 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia hance the significance of nature conservation in  Assisting public authorities and other organ­ our society. isations in the establishment and implementa­ tion of conservation areas; Contact data:  Advising government agencies in conserva­ http://www.nabu.de/en/index.html tion queries; No website for Ethiopia available.  Financing and assisting animal census surveys  Individual protection programmes for highly endangered species; Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme  Reintroduction programmes for endangered The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme species; (EWCP) is an endeavour of the Wildlife Conser­  Conservation education; vation Research Unit of Oxford University to help  Land acquisition to secure valuable habitats protect the Ethiopian Wolfs and the Afroalpine for flora and fauna; habitats they inhabit, to which it combines a vari­  Protection and regeneration of natural land­ ety of sponsoring NGOs, including the IUCN scapes. Canid Specialist Group. It works under an agree­ ment with EWCA and Regional Governments All of its projects are overseen by either its own staff or colleagues from reliable local organisa­ Contact data: tions. All projects work closely with the local ad­ [email protected] ministrators and government agencies together. University of Oxford, We monitor as a matter of principle the utilisation Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, of all resources provided and regularly control and Abingdon Road, Tubney, OXON. OX13 5QL evaluate the projects. University of Oxford, UK P. O. Box: 215, Mission Robe Bale, Ethiopia Our work is committed to conserving biological http://www.ethiopianwolf.org/ diversity. FZS is therefore faced with one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century: the preser­ vation of the world’s natural environments. Frankfurt Zoological Society The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) was es­ Relationship to EWCA tablished in 1858 and is an internationally operat­ FZS carries out several conservation projects in ing conservation organisation based in national parks under EWCA management. Frankfurt/Main. The Society’s main focus lies in It is currently executing eastern Africa. The Society is an independent,  Conservation of the Bale Mountains Ecosys­ non-profit organisation that finances projects tem; through membership fees, private donations and  Afroalpine Ecosystem Conservation Project bequests as well as from investment returns from (Simien Mountain National Park, Guassa the “Help for Threatened Wildlife” Foundation. Community Conservation Areas and Abune Financial support also comes from third-party Yoseph Community Conservation Area); funds such as other foundations and charitable  Study the impact of hunting in terms of eco­ trusts. systems, cultural and socials dimensions in Controlled Hunting Areas. FZS is momentarily involved in 70 conservation projects in 30 countries. Although the society’s Contact data: main purpose is global nature conservation, it also Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1 | D-60316 Frankfurt supports the Frankfurt Zoological Garden, which Germany was initiated 150 years ago by the Frankfurt Zo­ Tel: (+49) (0)69 - 9434 460 ological Society. Fax: (+49) (0)69 – 439 348 Main activities: P. O. Box 100003  Logistical support of National Parks and other Addis Ababa Ethiopia Conservation Areas worldwide; Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 552 7336 Email: [email protected]

31 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

[email protected] [email protected] websites: http://www.fzs.org http://www.Balemountains.org http://www.Guassaarea.org http://www.zgf.de/

Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Development Association of Ethiopia (WildCODE) and Forum for Environment Contact data: P. O. Box: 10386 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (+521) - (0)11 - 552 1015, (+521) - (0)11 - 552 1662 Fax: (+521) - (0)11 - 552 1034 Email: [email protected]

Ensesa Kote Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Education Centre Contact data: Born Free Ethiopia, Stephen Brend, P. O. Box: 3138/1250, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (+521) - (0) 913 119 054 Email: [email protected] http://www.bornfree.org.uk http://bornfree.wildlifedirect.org

32 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2 THEORY ON PROTECTED AREAS  Preferences of taxa, particularly taxa with REPRESENTATIVENESS many enthusiastic fans and collectors (birds, 2.1 SPECIES REPRESENTATION orchids) accumulate long lists of species. Since the nineteen seventies, the international conservation community has been looking for In reality, no taxonomic method can identify all ways to design representative systems of protec­ species in an area let alone determine the distribu­ ted areas for the conservation of the biodiversity tion of each species. Any inventory represents a by country. The FAO regional office in Santiago very incomplete collection of observations influ­ de Chile had been pioneering in developing new enced by positive biases and preferences. To re­ concepts on conservation objectives and planning, solve the dilemma of representation of species in which first spread through Latin America and a protected areas system, the IUCN Task Force were then taken as models for the World Conser­ sought other methods to identify representative vation Strategy (IUCN 1980), after which they sets of species that would not only be more bal­ spread throughout the world. After the CBD came anced in their composition, but which could also into force in late 1993, the IUCN has been search­ be carried out in a period of several months to a ing for methods to identify biodiversity and its year and at reasonable implementation costs. distribution through proxy or surrogate methods. The first publication on the subject was "Guide to After an extensive analysis of world literature, the the Convention on Biological Diversity (Glowka Task Force concluded that “ecosystems defined on et al.1994), but it did not come with workable the bases of measurable physiognomic and ecolo­ solutions. In 2003, an IUCN Task Force on the gical characteristics of the vegetation represent “Composition of Protected Areas Systems” partially different sets of species of flora, fauna (Vreugdenhil et al. 2003) informed the Vth World and fungi belonging to those conditions. When Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa, on the each ecosystem of a country is present in the na­ best method to identify the representation of spe­ tion's protected areas system, then the majority of cies in protected areas systems, which can be the species of that country may be expected to be downloaded from: present in the system”. Our approach targets to http://www.birdlist.org/downloads/micosys/protected_a achieve such representation. For that purpose, we reas_system_composition&monitoring.pdf produced the “Ecosystems Map of Ethiopia” (Vreugdenhil et al 2012). The report concluded that the methods that are based solely on collections and / or inventories of It argued that ecosystems based on criteria that are species are always strongly biased by a variety of measurable and identifiable in the field and that processes and human decisions. The principle bi­ can be distinguished on satellite images and aerial ases include: photos can be drawn more homogeneously and  Access: Records are significantly more impartially. With the use of geographic informa­ abundant in areas with a) roads or river ac­ tion systems (GIS), reasonably homogeneous cess, b) in the proximity of research centres polygons can be drawn and classified and distin­ and c) in the vicinities of the residences of ex­ guished from others. Thus each polygon repres­ cellent taxonomists (see 11); ents a combination of ecological conditions in  Worldwide, very few records before 2006 which a certain set or group of species lives. For have been georeferenced with GPS equipment example, the set of species that can live at an elev­ and even many of the most recent records ation of 1,000 m is higher than the one that lives have been poorly georeferenced; hence, most at 2,000 meters. For instance, groups of species available species coordinates are rough estim­ that can live in the evergreen rainforests of the ates at best, often based on later reconstruc­ Bale Mountains are distinct from those that live in tions by other scientists (Vreugdenhil et al. the deciduous savannahs in Omo National Park. 2011). This chapter summarizes the differentiation and  Preferences for locations of fame, particularly classification method from aforementioned study common among birdwatchers, have lead to (Vreugdenhil 2003) without continuously refer­ the practice that observers often flock together ring to the report. in certain popular areas and thereby build up long lists of species, while other areas of The presence or absence of all species belonging equal or even greater value show few or no to an ecosystem is never certain for each indi­ records; vidual species, especially in a country with so

33 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia much interference in its ecosystems as Ethiopia. WWF and Conservation International target spe­ Therefore, one should also cover the species of cies representation through respectively ecore­ importance or “species of special concern”, such gions and hotspots representation. In the next sec­ as flagship species, endemic species, and species tion it will be shown that those biounits are much of global conservation concern, carnivores, large coarser and that conformity with the ecosystems nesting colonies of birds, etc. The known presence representation guarantees a much more detailed of species of special concern is listed in Annex 1. representation of species.

Figure 11: In Honduras, the records of endemic plant species - red dots - are Distributed Along the main roads (blue lines) and research centers in the major cities - Greem dots - (House 2001, Vreugdenhil & House 2002). This illustrates the bias of species records.

 Promote environmentally sound and sustain­ 2.1.1 From vegetation formations to eco­ able development in areas adjacent to protec­ system classes ted areas with a view to furthering protection Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Di­ of these areas; versity refers to the following:  Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems In situ Conservation: and promote the recovery of threatened spe­ “Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible cies, inter alia, through the development and and as appropriate: implementation of plans or other management  Establish a system of protected areas or areas strategies.” where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity; The CBD defines an ecosystem as follows: "Eco­  Develop, where necessary, guidelines for the system" means a dynamic complex of plant, an­ selection, establishment and management of imal and micro-organism communities and their protected areas or areas where special meas­ non-living environment interacting as a functional ures need to be taken to conserve biological unit”. This definition is not sufficiently specific diversity; for establishing an method on the basis of which  Regulate or manage biological resources im­ different ecosystems can be defined, identified portant for the conservation of biological di­ and mapped. It may even be argued that ecosys­ versity whether within or outside protected tems as functional units do not exist as no place areas, with a view to ensuring their conserva­ on the biosphere can be defined as a completely tion and sustainable use; isolated system in which all organisms only inter­  Promote the protection of ecosystems, natural act with other organisms within the system. How­ habitats and the maintenance of viable popu­ ever, given the significance of the concept of lations of species in natural surroundings; “ecosystem” in the convention, a practical solu­

34 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia tion was needed. In 1994, the IUCN (Glowka one of which, the Ogaden, falls within Ethiopia. 1994) made an effort to identify ecosystems, but This arid region is more than 100 million years never linked the distribution of sets of species of old with exceptionally constant climatic condi­ both flora and fauna. In 2003, the IUCN task force tions; which has been argued to have been the for the first time explicitly made the link between cause of considerable speciation. The highland physiognomic-ecological formations and species. plateaux are the second biogeographical feature. They argued that as ecological conditions determ­ By contrast, with some 4,5 million years, the ine whether or not a species can live at a given highlands are relatively young in evolutionary location, those conditions determine the species terms and they have undergone considerable cli­ distributions, and as the physiognomy of the ve­ matic instability over the past 1.5million years. getation develops in response to the ecological However, highland isolation has been credited for conditions, it is defensible to assume that the significant endemism. physiognomic-ecological conditions of a location determine the set of species that can live there; this should be the case for plants, animals and fungi. Thus, a physiognomic-ecological map which plots out areas that are relatively homogen­ eous for each defined class, but distinct from every other one, represents partially distinct sets of species of flora, fauna and fungi for each class. (Vreugdenhil et al. 2003). Not all species vary by ecosystem. For example, Lions occur from west­ ern India to Namibia living in ecosystems that vary from moist woodland ecosystems, to deserts. Therefore, one should speak of partially distinct sets of species for each ecosystem. Another ex­ tremely adaptive species is the Panther, which lives in a great variety of ecosystems. Figure 12: Biogeographical regionalization ac­ cording to Kingdon (1990) The distinction between sets of species is greatest among ecosystem parameters with strong survival 2.1.2.2 Floristic or phytographic regionaliza­ restricting effects, such as freezing, seasonal tion flooding, extremely dry seasons, etc. On the other Several systems of classifying geographical areas hand, if one can identify ecosystems based on have been devised for plants, the first major one many criteria with very fine distinctions between by Good (1964) and later further elaborated by them, the difference between the species sets in is Udvardy (1975). Most systems are organized hier­ less, but the ecosystem differentiation is more de­ archically, with the largest units subdivided into tailed. smaller geographical areas, which are made up of smaller floristic communities, and so on. 2.1.2 Biogeography While ecosystems defined on the bases of physiognomic-ecological criteria are important, it disregards the effect of the paleogeographical de­ velopment and geophysical boundaries on the dis­ tribution of species, like mountain ranges, deserts and large waters, which have caused entire plant families or genera to develop in isolation. In the following section we analyse which biogeograph­ ical regions may be distinguished for Ethiopia.

2.1.2.1 Geohistorical regionalization by Kingdon According to Kingdon (1990), the biogeography of Ethiopia is characterized by two dominant fea­ tures (see 12) - first, the ancient, arid areas of the Horn of Africa, with its three centres of endemism Figure 13: Floristic kingdoms

35 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Phytochoria are defined as areas possessing a large number of endemic taxons. Floristic king­ Friis (1992) and Friis & Sebsebe Demissew doms (see 13) are characterized by a high degree (2001) suggested the following floristic subdivi­ of family endemism, floristic regions by a high sion for Ethiopian forests (see 17): degree of generic endemism, and floristic 1. Lowland dry peripheral semi-evergreen provinces by a high degree of species endemism. guineo-congolian type forest; White’s (1983) map of the “Vegetation Types of 2. Transitional rainforest; Africa” (see 15) rather seems to reflect phyto­ 3. Broad-leaved afromontane rain forest; choria, than vegetation classes, as within each of 4. Undifferentiated afromontane forest, includ­ the areas of those major vegetation types, many ing various types of upland forest with Podo­ vegetation formations, varying from forests to carpus, Podocarpus falcatus; steppes are bound to be present. For Ethiopia, it 5. Dry single-dominant afromontane forest; clearly shows how distinct phytochoria surround 6. Transition between dry single-dominant the central plateau, divided by the Rift Valley. For afromontane forest and east African evergreen Ethiopia and Eritrea he recognized 14 classes (see and semi-evergreen bushland and thicket. 16).

36 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 14: WWF terrestrial ecoregions map covering Ethiopia.

37 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 15: White's Vegetation Types of Africa.

38 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 16: White's Vegetation Types detailed vegetation map for the Horn of Africa. For the detailed le­ gend we refer to Friis & Sebsebe Demissew (2001).

39 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 17: Map sketch showing the approximate outline of areas with the floristic forest types of the Horn of Africa recognized by Friis (1992) 1) Lowland dry peripheral semi-evergreen Guineo-Congolian type forest; 2) transitional rain forest; 3) broad-leaved Afromontane rain forest; 4) undifferentiated Afromontane forest, including various types of upland forest with Podocarpus; 5) dry single-dominant Afromontane forest, with Juniperus procera in the canopy and Otea europaea cuspidata in the understory; 6) transition between dry single-dominant Afromontane forest and East African evergreen and semi-evergreen bushland and thicket; 8) transition between Zanzibar-Inhambane undifferentiated forest, the Zanzibar-Inhambane scrub forest and the Zan­ zibar-Inhambane evergreen and semi-evergreen bushland and thicket (southern Somalia). Riverine forest 7) is not shown.

40 Gap Analysis of the Ethiopian Protected Areas System

Figure 18:

Ecosystems of Ethiopia. Map Im­ pression without le­ gend. For details see Vreugdenhil et al. 2012.

41 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2.1.2.3 WWF terrestrial ecoregions Since the mid-nineties the World Wild Fund for Well intended as it may be, that definition has Nature, WWF has come up with the concept of some obvious flaws in its definition and therefore ecoregions (Dinerstein 1995 and http://www.­ interpretation, and does not coincide with the worldwildlife.org), which originally was more biogeographical criteria developed by the WWF based on consensus building (Vreugdenhil et al team lead by Olsen. We feel we need to mention 2003) than on reproducible scientific criteria. In this because the definition formulated on the 2001 another WWF team, (Olsen et al. 2001), WWF website undermines the concept developed published the “Terrestrial Ecoregions of the and delineated the ecoregions based on solid World: A New Map of Life on Earth”, which is biogeographical criteria by Olsen's WWF team. primarily based on existing biogeographical sys­ tems. For one, the second criterion, “similar environ­ http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/t mental conditions” does not apply to the ecore­ errestrial_at.html gions as they have been developed by the Olsen team. For instance, environmental or ecological For the evaluation of the extent of realms and bio­ conditions along a mountain ranges vary most mes, the first two tiers in its hierarchical classific­ dramatically vertically over a very short distances ation, this new system and its map was based on while many ecoregions include considerable alti­ the following criteria: tudinal variation within their boundaries. Taking a  Biogeographical realms of Pielou (1979) and look at any of the ecoregions, it is obvious that Udvardy (1975); each ecoregion has a great variation in ecological  Existing global maps of floristic and zoogeo­ conditions, and therefore the second criterion can't graphical provinces (e.g., Rübel 1930, apply. The third criterion is too vague to be Gleason and Cronquist 1964, Good 1964); defined and therefore, it can also not be mapped.  Global and regional maps of units based on The first criterion has two very distinct and non- the distribution of selected groups of plants related criteria: and animals (e.g. Hagmeier 1966); 1. Shared species; and  The world’s biotic province maps (Dasmann 2. Shared ecological dynamics. 1973, 1974, Udvardy 1975); The ecological dynamics within an ecosystem can  Global maps of broad vegetation types (e.g. vary greatly within the large geographical units of UNESCO 1969, de Laubenfels 1975, the ecoregions. In general, forests have a much Schmidthüsen 1976). lower dynamism than savannahs and grasslands and even less so than seasonally inundated areas. On the basis of these works, the world has been All such ecosystems can naturally exist in one divided into eight biogeographical realms and 14 single ecoregion. biomes (for Africa see 22). For regional subdivi­ sions, published regional classification systems This leaves only the certain tendency of shared were used as a baseline for ecoregion boundaries species, or rather, the partial difference of sets of (Olsen et al. 2001). In the case of Africa, they species between two separate biogeographical were based on White's phytographic regions, units. So, ecoregions for Africa as identified by which implies that for the terrestrial biogeograph­ Olsen's group are biogeographical units, based on ical regionalization in Africa, the WWF ecore­ White's vegetation map for Africa for the ter­ gions are primarily based on phytogeographical restrial ecosystems. As the term “ecoregions” sug­ criteria. However, this is rather distinct from the gests a degree of ecological similarity, which it definition of an ecoregion defined on the WWF obviously does not have, the term itself should be website: put in question. In fact, it would be better to use “a large area of land or water that contains a geo­ the a term like biographical regions, which is un­ graphically distinct assemblage of natural com­ likely to happen, as the term has become very munities that: popular. 1. share a large majority of their species and ecological dynamics; For Ethiopia, the WWF cites the following ter­ 2. share similar environmental conditions; and restrial ecoregions on its website, http://www.­ 3. interact ecologically in ways that are critical worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial_at for their long-term persistence. .html:

42 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

1. East Sudanian savannah; or catchments (For Ethiopia see 20). The primary 2. Ethiopian montane forests; indicators for aquatic ecoregions are fish species. 3. Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands; 19 shows important indicators for Africa. Within 4. Ethiopian montane moorlands; individual ecoregions there will be turnover of 5. Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands; species, such as when moving up or down a river 6. Northern Acacia-Commiphora bushland and system, but taken as a whole an ecoregion will thickets; typically have a distinct evolutionary history and / 7. Sahelian Acacia savannah; or ecological processes. 8. Somali Acacia-Commiphora shrublands and thickets; Here again, it is most likely that the geo-historical 9. Victoria Basin forest-savannah mosaic. development is the key to the distinction between biogeographical regions, rather than the ecolo­ Of these ecoregions, number 5 and 9 are not rep­ gical processes. Essential are the divides between resented in the current EPAS. With regard to eco­ watersheds, that are very divisive for fully wa­ region 9, Victoria Basin Forest-savannah Mosaic, ter-bound species (Myers 1949) we doubt that there is a solid basis to distinguish this ecoregion in Ethiopia. Ecoregion 5 coincides For Ethiopia, the website lists the following with the proposed Afar Depression National Park aquatic ecoregions: recommended in Chapter 6.  Montane freshwaters;  Lake Tana; 2.1.2.4 Aquatic ecoregions  Upper Nile; In 2008 a WWF – TNC team published a docu­  Xeric freshwaters and endorheic (closed) ment on the identification and delineation of basins; aquatic ecoregions, (Bell et al. 2008): “Freshwater  Shebelle – Juba; Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Biogeo­  Lake Turkana. graphical Units for Freshwater Biodiversity Con­ servation”. The WWF-TNC aquatic ecoregions, are poorly represented in the current protected areas system The freshwater ecoregion map encompasses 426 and several aquatic ecosystems would need to be units (http://www.feow.org), whose boundaries added for the EPAS to pass the “aquatic ecore­ generally - though not always - correspond with gions” criterion. those of watersheds also known as drainage basins

43 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 19: The composition of the ichthyofauna is principle criterion for biogeographical regional­ ization of aquatic ecosystems. a) Number of fish species per aquatic ecoregion b) Number of en­ demic fish species per aquatic ecoregion. (Source: http://www.feow.org).

Figure 20: River basins of Ethiopia.

44 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2.1.2.5 Hotspots of Conservation International needed to the current EPAS to pass the “Conser­ Yet another concept developed by an international vation International Hotspot” criterion. NGO is the hotspot concept, embraced by Conser­ vation International of the USA. It describes the concept as follows on its website http://www.­ biodiversityhotspots.org: “Conservation Interna­ tional adopted hotspots as its institutional blue­ print in 1989, and in 1996, the organization made the decision to undertake a reassessment of the hotspots concept, including an examination of whether key areas had been overlooked. Three years later an extensive global review was under­ taken, which introduced quantitative thresholds for the designation of biodiversity hotspots:

To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:  Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total) as endemics;  have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.”

In the 1999 analysis, published in the book “Hot­ spots: Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most En­ dangered Terrestrial Ecoregions”, (Mittermeier et al. 2000) and in the scientific journal Nature (My­ ers, et al. 2000), where 25 biodiversity hotspots were identified. Collectively, these areas hold 44 percent of the world’s endemic plants and 35 per­ cent of the endemic terrestrial vertebrates in an area that formerly covered only 11.8 percent of the planet’s land surface. The habitat extent of this land area had been reduced by 87.8 percent of its Figure 21: The hotspots occurring in Ethiopia are original extent, such that this wealth of biod­ the a) the Horn of Africa and b) the eastern iversity was restricted to only 1.4 percent of Afromontane hotspots (source: website Conserva­ Earth’s land surface. A second major reanalysis tion International website 2011). has now been undertaken and published in the book “Hotspots Revisited” (Mittermeier et al. 2.1.3 Degree of representativeness of hot­ 2004). spots, ecoregions and ecosystems The identified and mapped ecosystems form the In total, all of Africa hast just 8 hotspots, of which basis of distribution of natural ecosystems in the 2 occur in Ethiopia, “the eastern Afromontane and country with their related flora and fauna. In gen­ the Horn of Africa hotspots” (see 21). These hot­ eral, these ecosystems have at least their repres­ spots serve primarily as some kind of institutional entative species included; a system of protected prioritization setting and for international monit­ areas that includes each of the principal ecosys­ oring purposes that focus on the most en­ tems can count on a high degree of species repres­ demic-species-rich-high-threat areas in the world. entativeness for the country as a whole. With However, as coarse as they are, hotspots can con­ more than 100 ecosystems (see Vreugdenhil et al. tribute very little to any gap analysis on a national 2012 for details), ecosystem representativeness level anywhere. The two Ethiopian hotspot re­ based on this map achieves a higher degree of gions, are represented in the current EWCA pro­ species and ecosystems representativeness than tected areas system and no additions would be the relatively coarse WWF ecoregions and IC hot­ spots.

~ 45 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 22: WWF terrestrial biomes map of Africa (UNEP 2006 after Olsen et all 2001).

46 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2.2 SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN Moreover, endemic species often serve as “flag­ 2.2.1 Data recording in Ethiopia ship” species. For instance, the Ethiopian Wolf not While ecoregions and ecosystems provide the liv­ only serves as the flagship species for the ing conditions for species, compliance of a protec­ Ethiopian highlands, but for biodiversity for all of ted areas system with such biounits never guaran­ Ethiopia. tees that a specific species actually lives there. Some species may have gone extinct, while others Globally extinct Ethiopian species and subspecies may never have lived within the parameters of the probably include: protected areas system. Species of special concern Tora Hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus tora; and (SSP) include endemic, threatened and / or en­ Nubian Wild Ass, Equus africanus africanus. dangered, conspicuous species and charismatic (or flagship) species and species important for agri­ The following species have probably disappeared cultural genetic diversity (conservation of genetic from Ethiopia: resources, like wild coffee and frankincense). In Black Rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis; order to at least include – to the extend possible – Mongalla Gazelle, Eudorcas albonotata. the inclusion of the species of special concern, we collected as many reasonably recent data as pos­ Often, conservationists like to bring back what sible on their presence in the protected areas (see has been lost. Re-introduction programmes how­ Annex2). ever, are costly and given the limited available re­ sources, the currently surviving species should be Of particular interest are the restricted range spe­ attended to first. cies and endemic species. The phenomenon of “endemic species” originates from rather national­ With its enormous problems to conserve the istic sentiments among biologists, who took species that are still present in the country, it “ownership” of species that only lived in their does not seem a priority for Ethiopia at this country. As a scientific biological criterion it is moment in time to try and re-introduce species rather flawed, as the status depends on the sizes of lost from its territory, but rather focus on those countries that can vary from more than 11,000 species that are still naturally present. Once the km2 for the Gambia to 1,127,127 km2 for conservation of the EPAS has become effective, Ethiopia. In the former country, an endemic spe­ and all species with national conservation con­ cies must have a much smaller territory than in the cern are being properly attended, the time will latter. Therefore, Birdlife international adopted the have arrived to negotiate with zoos and neigh­ concept of “restricted range species” (Stattersfield bouring countries to initiate re-introduction et al. 1998). programmes for lost species.

Restricted ranges species occur in areas smaller During the gap analysis, it turned out to be dif­ than about 5,000,000 ha (about the size of Costa ficult to acquire original records of most zoolo­ Rica), but those areas may be shared by more than gical taxa and it is recommended that organ­ one country. If the latter is the case, a species is ized databases be set up with on-line access to not endemic to the country, but from a biological the general public. As data become available, point of view, they are equally significant as en­ species distributions should be plotted out in demic species. simple GIS maps. It is often thought that the maintenance of such databases can be financed Nevertheless, a country endemic species has a by charging access to the users, but experience specific significance for its conservation. If a spe­ has taught that this does not work and it is re­ cies is a national endemic, it means that for its commended to give the public general access, survival, it totally depends on the conservation ef­ so that any scientist would have the benefit of fort of the country it is native to. If that country access to those data. That would serve biod­ fails to protect it effectively, it will go extinct. iversity conservation in many ways. This makes it essential for a protected areas sys­ tem that as much as possible, each endemic spe­ EWCA should probably not be the institution cies be included, or if that is not possible, that for such databases, one should rather think special measures be taken which would allow it to about the universities that specialize on a cer­ survive. tain taxon, or concentrate all the databases in the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation. Nev­

47 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia ertheless, EWCA should establish a species The National Herbarium of Ethiopia (ETH) within database for its protected areas, which would the Addis Ababa University has successfully lead feed into the national database(s), once estab­ the “Ethiopian Flora Project” for more than 3 dec­ lished. Being a public organization, all EWCA ades. Forty-three institutions and 92 scientists data should be available to the public. from 18 countries participated in the Project. The Ethiopian Flora Project was probably the largest Different sources and specialists have been con­ departmental project of the Addis Ababa Univer­ sulted on the distribution of species of special sity, carried out jointly by its Department of Bio­ concern. logy (now Faculty of Life Sciences) and the De­ partment of Systematic Botany (now Biology) of 2.2.2 Flora Uppsala University in Sweden between 1980 and The plant diversity as number of species per 2010. The vascular flora of the country of more 10,000 km2 are the highest (Mutke and Barthlott that 6000 species – about 10% of which is en­ 2005) in Northern Africa for the same latitude demic - has now been documented in eight (see 24). A large number species is adapted to volumes, but new species continue to be dis­ grazing and browsing: 736 species of grasses, 358 covered (Sebsebe, pers. com. 2012). These species species of legumes and 179 species of browse are so well distributed over the country that it trees are known (Ethiopian Flora Netwerk would be difficult to take any specific areas in http://etflora.net/). In terrestrial ecosystems, plants consideration for their individual protection. form the basis of all communities, in terms of Among this floristic wealth one finds species of both structure and function. The abiotic environ­ extraordinary shapes and colours (e.g. 23). A large ment sets the particular form of structure, with number of scholarly and scientific articles as well cold and dry climates often having slow and inter­ as a number of books have been published using mittent growth. The structure moves from single the information contained in the Flora volumes layer lichens in the Antarctic through Arctic tun­ and the collections in the ETH. The on-line data­ dra and on mountain tops in the Simien and Bale base of the Ethiopian Flora Network (http://etflor­ Mountains, to complex tropical forests at the a.net/databases/red-list-plants/) lists 136 red list lower level of the Bale Mountain. Thus, plants de­ endemic trees & shrubs for Ethiopia and Eritrea, termine the niche possibilities for animals. based on Vivero et al. (2005).

48 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 23: Some extraordinary plants native to Ethiopia have a potential for the ornamental flower market.

Figure 24: Plant species richness per 10,000 km2 (after: Mutke and Barthlott 2005).

49 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2.2.3 Fauna them, there is severe overgrazing, like Abijatta 2.2.3.1 Mammals Shala Lakes and Awash National Parks. While in The wealth of wildlife and its use in Ethiopia is part livestock grazing has replaced wildlife graz­ well documented by early chroniclers and travel­ ing, several scientists in our team have noticed lers. Cosmos, an Egyptian monk, saw tame gir­ changes in the physiognomy of Savannahs. In affes and elephants in Axum in 525 AD many areas open savannah grasslands (see 25) ap­ (Pankhurst, 1961). The Byzantine traveller Non­ pear to suffer from bush-encroachment, simultan­ nosus reported seeing 5000 elephants at Yeha eously with grassland degradation, like at the around 531 AD (Pankhurst, 1998). Around 570 open plains of Mago National Park, Nechsar Na­ AD, the Axumite king Kaleb rescued groups of tional Park and Awash National Park. Christians using chariots pulled by elephants and While bush-encroachment obviously is not due to this time is known as the Year of the Elephant the absence of wildlife, it is probably caused by a (Levine, 1974). Around 246 BC, the live elephant variety of interacting factors, that include inappro­ trade was at its peak with Pharaoh of Egypt priate burning as well as the severe shortage of a Ptolemy II (285-257 BC) obtaining supplies of suite of multi-level grazers that include Elephants, elephants to use in the war against Syria Giraffes (26), and smaller gazelles that graze sap­ (Pankhurst, 1998). Ethiopia has been trading in lings and young bushes, thus preventing them civet musk, ivory, leopard and lion skin and from development. In general, the issue of bush- frankincense since the legendary Queen of Sheba, encroachment needs specific attention, so that and Ethiopian Kings used to give live wildlife as EWCA can start proper savannah management presents to Egyptian sultanates to obtain Patri­ programmes – particularly prescribed burning – archs for the Orthodox Church (Pankhurst, 1998). thus preparing its protected areas for recovery of their wildlife stocks and safari tourism. It is re­ commended that EWCA recruits the advice from a neighbouring country with a long his­ tory of savannah management, including pre­ scribed burning.

Figure 25: The open plains like these at Nechsar National Park - with fighting bulls of Swayne's Hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei - are prone to bush encroachment.

Grazing mammals have large-scale structuring ef­ Figure 26: Giraffes are the tallest grazers in a fects (e.g. 27)on the vegetation formations and suite of species that together keep the savannahs can be considered 'ecological landscapers' as they in prime condition. modify the vegetation structure, alter pathways of nutrients, and thereby change species composi­ Historical data have been checked, as well as the tion. As Ethiopia's megafauna has decreased, it is expert opinions of different experts and local rep­ necessary to at least briefly reflect on possible resentatives in the protected areas. ecological impacts. Predator species in turn affect the populations of First of all, most protected areas experience at herbivores, and their low numbers too may impact least some degree of livestock grazing; in some of the compositions of species and physiognomy of

50 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia the vegetation formations. In the complex numer­ restricted. The significance of this is, that If wild­ ical relationships between a variety of both pred­ life in the protected areas would becomes fully ator and prey species, it is difficult to say to which protected and grazing would be phased out, at extend each species becomes a limiting factor to first, the numbers of herbivores are expected to in­ another. Under the current conditions in Ethiopia, crease relatively rapidly, and as prey becomes in which almost all species survive at sub-max­ more abundant; the increase of numbers of predat­ imum levels, the impact of predators on the popu­ ors would then follow at some distance. lations of wild herbivores is probably relatively

Figure 27: Grazers, large and small shape the physiognomy of the vegetation. a) Burchell's Zebra, Equus quagga, is an important wild grazer in Nechsar National Park. b) Through sheer abundance, rabbits and hares, endemic Starck's Hare, Lepus starcki, can have a tremendous impact on the vegetation. Thickets can be turned into very shortly trimmed grasslands (Tariku Mekonnen 2011) c) Gelada, Theropithecus gelada, is a mid-sized mammalian forager in the highlands.

While Ethiopia with about 320 species9 of mam­ as many, formerly assumed to be synonyms of mals is one of Africa's most diverse countries for better-known species, have been shown to be spe­ mammals, most populations of the medium and cies in their own right. The final total of both re­ large sized mammals are severely depleted and corded species and endemic mammals may turn difficult to see, as they suffer from habitat loss out to be still higher. Yet, the recognition of the and hunting pressure almost everywhere in the endemic fauna and flora of Ethiopia requires ad­ country, including in most protected areas. equate knowledge of areas of similar ecology and history (e.g., the Ruwenzori Mountains in the Alb­ At least 36 species are endemic, about a quarter of ertine Rift) to be certain that presumptive which are large mammals10 (Melaku Tefera 2011). Ethiopian endemics are absent elsewhere (Yalden Endemism even occurs at the level of genera: et al., 1996). There are six endemic genera of mammals, and four are monotypic (three rodent genera, Mega­ Ungulates dendromus, Muriculus, Nilopegamys, and one To the public at large, Zebras, Giraffes, African primate genus, Theropithecus). The other endemic Elephants, Hippos, Buffaloes, Gazelles, Ante­ genera are Desmomys and Stenocephalemys, rep­ lopes, Rhinoceroses and Warthogs are essential resented by two and three or four species respect­ species expected to be seen in great numbers and ively. 2 lists the mammalian species of special at close range during a safari tour. Even though concern. most species are still present, such conditions no longer prevail in most of Ethiopia, and only few Furthermore, at least nine new species of small protected areas have wildlife populations that may mammals have been described from the Ethiopian somewhat live up to the high expectations of sa­ Highlands over the past half century, and at least fari tourists. The best areas for safari tourism are: Omo National Park, Gambella National Park and 9 Unpublished data in press by Yalden & Afework Be­ Nechsar National Park, only the latter of these kele. currently being relatively readily accessible all 10 In this number, Melaku includes a subspecies of the year around. Nevertheless, Ethiopia has a vary in­ African Elephant, but DNA analysis has proven it to be teresting number of species of special concern that the regular species (Yirmed Demeke, pers. com. 2011).

51 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia has sparked international recognition in the nature Loxodonta africana oriented tourism market. The African Elephant, Loxodonta africana, in Ethiopia was once believed to be a different sub­ species, but recent DNA examination has rejected such claim (Yirmed Demeke, pers. com. 2011).

Figure 28: White-eared Kob, Kobus kob, at Gam­ bella National Park represent the second greatest mammal migration in Africa. Figure 29: Elephant bull in Babile Elephant Sanctuary. Seasonally, the migration of the White-eared Kob, Kobus kob (28), is a dramatic spectacle to see as it Small herds of Elephants still survive in different forms the second largest mammal migration in parts of the country and the herds in Kafta Shiraro Africa. Travelling across the open woodland bush 11 in South Sudan at the end of the dry season, they and the Babile Elephant Sanctuary (29) have visit the plains of the Baro and Gilo Rivers, where monitored with teletracking devises. With more Gambella National Park is located, in search of than 300 individuals, the Babile herd is the largest open water and wetlands. More than a million of in the country. Some herds migrate back and them are estimated to come to those wetlands on forth into neighbouring countries and joined the border of South Sudan and Ethiopia each year, management agreements are needed for the along with much smaller herds of Buffaloes and a herds to survive. scattering of Elephants and Giraffes. Measures are urgently needed in Gambella National Park For the Babile herds, it might be considered to to facilitate tourists to view this yearly spec­ recruit local herdsmen to follow the largest tacle. herds for around the clock protection. Besides effective protection, this would involve strong While the species is seasonally present, its migrat­ community involvement and an improve visitor ory behaviour heavily depends on the conserva­ visibility, as the elephant herdsmen could be con­ tion treatment it receives in neighbouring South tacted when visitors have arrived so that the Sudan. Particularly the treatment of the animals herdsmen could direct them to the herd, while at outside of the protected areas will be crucial for the same time keeping the tourists at a safe dis­ its survival. A joint management approach is tance. Satellite tracking may also be used to needed between Ethiopia and South Sudan. help visitors see the elephants.

Diceros bicornis Equus spp. In spite of rumours of views of some surviving in­ Of the three surviving Zebra species, two occur in dividuals of Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, Ethiopia, the Plains Zebra, Equus quagga, and the the species has eluded observation by scientists Grévy's Zebra, Equus grevyi (30). Formerly com­ for many decades; for any practical purposes, it is mon in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, Grevy’s feared that the species has disappeared from the Zebra currently depends for its survival on Kenya country. and Ethiopia, with the populations in Ethiopia be­ ing greatly diminished.

11 These were out of service in March 2012.

52 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 30: Grévy's Zebra at Sarite, south of Figure 31: Somali Wild Ass, Equus africanus Yabello National Park. somaliensis, is the only surviving race of Equus africanus (Photo Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation). Populations are known from Sarite, a location 80 km southwest of Yabello and Alledeghi, around Close collaboration with the Afar people is es­ Lake Chow Bahir. sential for its survival; around the clock protec­ (http://www.grevyszebratrust.org). Herding pop­ tion by a team of local herdsmen following the ulations of Grévy's Zebra living outside protec­ largest herds of the Wild Ass should be con­ ted areas into relatively nearby protected areas sidered, as well as the capture of an enclosed might be an option to consider. breeding population.

Equus africanus somaliensis Ammodorcas clarkei The Somali Wild Ass, Equus africanus somalien­ The Dibatag or Clarke's Gazelle, Ammodorcas sis (31), is the only surviving race of Equus afric­ clarkei (32), is classified as vulnerable (Heckel et anus and only about 100 individuals remain in the al. 2008, IUCN Red Data on line). In Ethiopia, wild (pers. com.12 Fannuel Kebede 2011), migrat­ Dibatags formerly occurred widely in the vast ing north-south along the Awash valley and Afar plains of the Ogaden region in the eastern low­ Depression into Eritrea. lands (Yalden et al. 1984) as well as in adjacent parts of northern and central Somalia. According to Afar elder, Blea Asoba (pers. com. 2011), the Somali Wild Ass pass through the Afar depression at irregular intervals in herds of up to 25 individuals. Being made aware of the potential value of the species for ecotourism, during a meeting with the team in August 2011, the Afar elders pledged to protect the species from then on.

There are about 200 individual animals (2011) around the globe living in 34 zoos, as well as three animals in Hai-Bar, Israel (as of 2009). The International studbook is managed by Tierpark Berlin. While the captive breeding population would prevent the animal from total extinction, it is obvious that in the wild, the species is ex­ tremely close to extinction. Figure 32: Dibatag or Clarke's Gazelle, Am­ modorcas clarkei.

12 An extensive ground survey in the mid-90s re­ Fannuel Kebede carries out his PhD study on the So­ vealed that the Dibatag had become rare or absent mali Wild Ass.

53 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia in the northern Ogaden but still occurred locally There is a successful captive-breeding popula­ within a reasonably large area in the southern tion at Al Wabra, Qatar, but it seems desirable Ogaden, where it appears to be quite common in to include the species in a worldwide captive some localities (Wilhelmi 1997). breeding programme in zoological gardens as well. In contrast to the northern Ogaden, which has a relatively high density of settlements and concen­ Alcelaphus buselaphus ssp trations of armed pastoralists and their herds, the The common Hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus, southern Ogaden has lower human densities and has a number of races of which several are already extensive areas where the natural flora and fauna extinct while Swayne's Hartebeest, A. b. swaynei, appear to be largely intact. Later, Wilhelmi (no (33) is severely endangered. The Pale Tawny year) wrote a report in which he proposes the cre­ Hartebeest, A. b. tora, is probably extinct. It in­ ation of a protected area, which has been largely habited the border regions between Ethiopia and copied in this report for the creation of a Ogaden North Sudan, and has not been seen since the Desert National Park. As no recent sightings are 1980ies. (IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group known from any of the current protected areas 2008). and as a very large range would be required to durably protect this species of restricted distri­ Swayne's Hartebeest is the eastern race of A. b. bution range, aforementioned Ogaden Desert tora to whom it is closely related, both species be­ National Park would appear the only option ing smaller than the others, but it is distinguished for its durable survival. from it by its patches of dark body colour. It lives in open country, light bush, sometimes in tall sa­ vannah woodland. These are social animals and are normally seen in herds of 4 – 30.

Figure 33: Beira, Dorcatragus megalotis. (Photo Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation).

Beira (Antelope), Dorcatragus megalotis Figure 34: Swayne's Hartebeest, Alcelaphus bu­ Classified as “vulnerable, the Beira (Antelope), selaphus swaynei, cow with calf. Dorcatragus megalotis (33), is another desert antelope, restricted to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Swayne's Hartebeest was previously found in both Somalia (Red Data List). Very few data are avail­ Somalia and Ethiopia, but now it is restricted to able on its current numbers or even its distribu­ Ethiopia only. The small surviving population is tion. Wary and small in size it easily escapes ob­ restricted to the grass and thorn scrub plains of the servation as well as hunting pressure. A 1999 Rift Valley lakes region. The best known herd is density based estimate put the animal at 7000 in­ about 100 head which inhabits an area of 400 sq. dividuals. We have not found records of the km in and near the Nechsar National Park. How­ species being present in any of the protected ever, the largest known population is on the heav­ areas and it is recommended that a targeted ily settled plain of Senkele in the Shashemene study assesses its current distribution and re­ area, where a populations survives of about 500 commends specific conservation needs. individuals; however, their habitat is subject to considerable pressure.

54 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

IUCN Red Data online database records: The total Initiating a captive-breeding group in zoos with population is estimated at 600 individuals (with strong interest in working with Ethiopia would the majority of the population confined to the further contribute to its conservation security. Senkelle Wildlife Sanctuary. Seeing the animal is almost guaranteed in Senkelle. Once conserva­ Tragelaphus buxtoni tion is secured in the Rift Valley, re-introduc­ The Mountain Nyala, Tragelaphus buxtoni (36), is tion in other protected areas would would be endemic to the eastern highlands of Ethiopia, desirable to spread the extinction risk. south-east of the Rift Valley, between 6°N and 10°N (Sillero-Zubiri 2008, Wikipedia). Formerly Capra walie it occurred from Gara Muleta in the east to Ethiopia is home to the world’s only population of Shashemene and north Sidamo in the south, but Walia Ibex, Capra walie (35), which is found only has been eliminated from a large part of its former in and around the Simien Mountains National range. Currently (Sillero-Zubiri 2008), the main Park (Yalden et al. 1984; Hürni 1986) in the North area of distribution is the Bale Mountains Na­ Gondar Administrative Zone of the Amhara Na­ tional Park and the eastern escarpments of the tional Regional State of north-western Ethiopia. Bale massif. Smaller relict populations occur in As such it is classified as “endangered” according the Chercher Mountains (Asba Tafari, Arba to the IUCN Red list criteria (Geberemedhin & Guggu, Din Din), Arsi Mountains (Chilalo, Grubb 2008). Galama, Mt Kaka, Munessa), and west Bale (Somkaro-Korduro ridge). The population was es­ timated at 7,000 to 8,000 (and perhaps up to 12,500) in the 1960s (Brown 1969), and at 2,000 to 4,000 individuals in the 1980s. IUCN estimated that 1,500 – 2,000 individuals survived in 2008, but Evangelista et al. (2007) estimated that the number may be as high as 4,000 individuals.

Figure 35: Walia Ibex, Capra walie, buck at SMNP.

Being down to 200 - 250 individuals in 1994- 1996, the population has recovered to 745 indi­ viduals during the 2009 count (Kefyalew Ale­ mayeh et al. 2011). With the species only surviv­ ing in one area and no specimens in captivity Figure 36: Mountain Nyala, Tragelaphus buxtoni, anywhere in the world, this mammal is ex­ at Bale Mountains National Park. tremely vulnerable to diseases. Certain live­ stock diseases may decimate the population in While the population survives in different loca­ a matter of days. Such risk should be avoided tions, no expansion of the current range seems urgently. The most practical and relatively easy immediately called for, but it would be wise to measures would be to introduce the animal in a establish a captive breeding population in zoos number of separate protected areas with sim­ around the world with potentially strong con­ ilar ecological conditions such as Guassa Com­ servation ties to Ethiopia. munity Conservation Area, Borana Sayent Na­ tional Park and the newly created Abune Yosef Community Conservation Area

55 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Canines • Patrolling in the protected areas of its occur­ Canis simensis rence. The Ethiopian Wolf, Canis simensis (37), is per­ There is no breeding stock in captivity, and haps the most researched of all the endangered with the population being as small as they are, species within Ethiopia. Population estimates of it appears to be wise to gradually build up a the Ethiopian Wolf across the species’ range sug­ worldwide breeding population in zoos. gest that between 360 and 440 adult (>1 year old) wolves remain, of which less than 250 are mature Canis lupus individuals. Based on DNA findings, Rueness et al. 2011 sug­ gest that supposed “Golden Jackal” on high ground are actually a small subspecies of the Grey Wolf. With the distribution of the potentially new species uncertain, it is unknown what the conser­ vation status would be. Further investigation is required to assess both its taxonomic and con­ servation requirements, as well as its distribu­ tion and its ecological and / or cross-breeding relations with the other Canis spp.

The mystique of the potential existence of an African Wolf in Ethiopia in fact is an interesting feature for international ecotourism and can be used cautiously as it may wet the appetite of edu­ cated foreign travellers.

Figure 37: Ethiopian Wolf, Canis simensis, Lycaon pictus (Photo Frankfurt Zoological Society). The African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus (38), has been classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN for The species currently is confined to seven isolated its widespread persecution (McNutt et al. 2008). mountain ranges of the Ethiopian highlands, at Once had a widespread distribution in Ethiopia; altitudes of 3,000–4,500 m. In the northern high­ however, it now appears to be restricted to Omo, lands wolves are restricted to land above 3,500– Gambella, Bale and Borana, while rare sightings 3,800 masl by increasing agricultural pressure are known from some other protected areas. At (Yalden et al. 1980, Marino 2003a). Wolf popula­ this moment no specific measures are required tions occur north of the Rift Valley in the Simien other than monitoring its status in the areas of Mountains, Mount Guna, North Wollo and South its occurrence. Possibly relocation of popula­ Wollo highlands, and Menz. Recently extinct in tions outside of the EPAS may be required if no Gosh Meda (North Showa), and absent from Mt viable populations occur in any of the PAs. Choke, Gojjam, for a few decades. South-east of the Rift Valley there are populations in the Arsi Mountains (Mt Kaka, Mt Chilalo and Galama range) and in the Bale Mountains, including the Somkaru-Korduro range.

From a tourism point of view the Ethiopian Wolf is well-visible in most areas where it occurs and is a prized attraction for both Simien Mountains and Bale Mountains National Parks, as well as for the community parks where it occurs. Conservation measures include (not exhaustive): • vaccination of dogs and wolfs against rabies, • community and school education • surveys and monitoring • development of a National Action Plan

56 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 38: African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus. Figure 39: Legendary “hyena man” in Harrar (Photo by Arno & Louise Meintjes available for feeding wild Spotted Hyenas, Crocuta crocuta, at non-commercial use) dark for the enjoyment of tourists.

Other canines Cats The Golden Jackal, Canis aureus, Black-backed The three large African cats are still present in Jackal, Canis mesomelas and Side-striped Jackal, Ethiopia, albeit at severely reduced levels. Canis adustus, are also widespread, and like many mid-size predators, they are likely to become Black Mane Lion, Panthera leo abyssinica well-visible in protected areas once fully protec­ The Black Mane Lion or Abyssinian Lion, Pan­ ted. thera leo abyssinica (40), a subspecies of the Lion, are revered in Ethiopia, where they symbol­ Hyaenids ize both the nation and the former emperor; they While still occurring widely in Ethiopia, Striped are on the national currency and often depicted in and Spotted Hyenas (39), Hyaena hyaena and statues. Abyssinian lions are smaller than their Crocuta crocuta, are common highlights for tour­ East African cousins and the males have distin­ ists. While the Striped Hyena is essentially a rural, guishable dark manes. Experts say only 1,000 solitary, lowland species, the Spotted Hyena is Abyssinian lions (Wikipedia) remain in Ethiopia. common on the plateau, and even in urban areas, No data are available on the common species. including Addis Ababa. The spectacle of wild Proper protection of all wildlife in existing and Spotted Hyenas being hand-fed outside the city proposed national parks would probably be walls of Harrar is a notable tourist attraction. The enough to preserve viable populations of Lions. much smaller Aardwolf, Proteles cristata, is fairly For the moment being, Black-mane Lions common - though rarely seen - in the eastern low­ should be monitored in the existing and pro­ lands, including Awash N.P. posed national parks and reserves to assess their presence. Based on the outcome, it should be assessed if the protection of EPAS is suffi­ cient, or that additional measures be needed, such as to capture of Black-mane Lions outside the protected areas and re-locate them to EPAS areas. A special protection programme for the Black-mane Lion might be called for, and the need for as a captive breeding programme in international zoos should be looked into.

57 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 40: Black-mane Lions or Abyssinian Figure 41: Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, are prob­ Lions, Panthera leo abyssinica, are the symbol of ably still around in a number of national parks the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Photo by Jean Christophe Prunet available for (Photo Wikipedia commons). non-commercial use).

Acinonyx jubatus Panthera pardus According to the IUCN red data online database, Reportedly, Leopards, Panthera pardus ((42), are the number of known resident Cheetahs, Acinonyx still widespread throughout Ethiopia, but no data jubatus (41), in eastern Africa (Ethiopia, South have been found to corroborate such statements. Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) is estimated The species is highly adaptable, and can be found at 2,500 adults and independent adolescents. Most from rainforests to deserts. With up to 4 cubs per population estimates were derived from applying litter, it has a high potential for survival under a density estimate of one adult per 100 km² to conditions of high mortality, such as high hunting mapped resident range areas during a conserva­ pressure. The leopard consumes virtually any an­ tion strategy workshop, although a few are based imal that it can hunt down and catch and its prey on research. includes small animals, by means of which it can survive in areas where big game has become ex­ The species occurs in the Afar Depression, and tremely scarce. It is expected to recover relatively other sources relate it to occur in the Ogaden rapidly in areas where full protection becomes ef­ desert, but no recent records from scientists could fective. For the time being, Leopards should be be verified. If small gazelles, dik-diks and hares monitored in the existing and proposed na­ can be protected in areas such as Awash N.P. and tional parks and reserves to assess their pres­ the lower Awash valley, Cheetah numbers should ence. Based on the outcome, it should be as­ recover. For the moment being, Cheetahs sessed if the protection of the EPAS is suffi­ should be monitored in the existing and pro­ cient, or that additional measures be needed, posed national parks and reserves to assess such as the capture of Leopards outside the their presence. Based on the outcome, it should protected areas and re-locate them to the EPAS be assessed if the protection of EPAS is suffi­ areas. cient, or that additional measures be needed, such as the capture of Cheetahs outside the protected areas and re-locate them to EPAS areas.

58 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Primates The Bale Monkey or Bale Mountains Grivet, Chlorocebus djamdjamensis, is a little-known primate endemic to bamboo groves in the south- eastern highlands at elevations between 1,500 – 3,000 masl (Butynski 2008). Listed as Vulnerable as the range of this species is less than 20,000 km² with severe fragmentation and there is continuing decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degrada­ tion. There is a viable population in Bale Moun­ tains National Park (1500-2000 in one population and 4 or 5 others not yet studied) and this should be sufficient for long-term survival so long as its specialist habitat is adequately protected. There is a captive breeding population in the Czech na­ Figure 42: Leopard, Panthera pardus, are still tional zoological garden. widespread throughout Ethiopia. (Photo by Craig Cullum available for non-commercial use).

Mid-sized and small cats The mid-sized and small cats are probably wide­ spread throughout the countryside, as the team was indicated during the fieldwork and as long as wildlife in the EPAS is properly protected, no spe­ cial measures seem to be called for. On the way from Harrar to Addis Ababa, we found a fresh road-kill of Caracal, Caracal caracal, and by- standers informed us that in recent weeks several individuals were killed. A live juvenile individual was confiscated by scouts in Babile Elephant Sanctuary. Possibly the Serval, Leptailurus serval (43), would be among the more vulnerable spe­ cies. Listed as species of least concern in the Red Data List, the Serval is relatively abundant and widespread South of the Sahel. However, degrad­ ation of wetlands is of concern, as is the level of skin trade in west Africa.

Figure 44: The Gelada, Theropithecus gelada, is a primate restricted to high lands of Ethiopia

The Gelada, Theropithecus gelada (44), is an en­ demic primate restricted to high grassland escarp­ ments in the deep gorges of the central Ethiopian plateau, between 1,800 and 4,400 masl. The Blue Nile gorge and the upper Shebelle River valley (east of the Bale massif) mark the western and southeastern boundaries of the range, respectively. Figure 43: The conservation status of Serval Two subspecies have been described: T. g. gelada Cats, Leptailurus serval, in Ethiopia is unknown and T. g. obscurus (Groves 2005). Recent genetic (Photo by Martin Heigan available for non-com­ work has shown that the eastern subspecies has mercial use).

59 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

been wrongly assumed to be T. g. obscurus. This Species Common Name Status name should apply to the animals found in the Crocidura bottegoides Bale Shrew EN T central and southern parts of the range of the Crocidura glassi Glass's Shrew EN VU western form (south of Lake Tana and east of the Crocidura harenna Harenna Shrew EN CR Takkazzé River). The northwestern part of the Crocidura lucina Lucina's Shrew EN VU range (north of Lake Tana and west of the Crocidura macmillani Macmillan's Shrew EN VU Takkazzé River) of the western form is the nomin­ Crocidura phaeura Guramba Shrew EN VU ate subspecies T. g. gelada. The eastern form thus represents an undescribed subspecies with Crocidura thalia Thalia's Shrew EN an isolated range and a very small population Dendromus lovati Lovat's Climbing Mouse EN VU (Belay & Mori 2006) for which further invest­ Desmomys harringtoni Harrington's Desmomys EN igation is required to asses its conservation Desmomys yaldeni Yalden's Desmomys EN T needs. Gelada overall has a large range and is still Diceros bicornis Black Rhinoceros CR abundant despite increasing threats to the species Dorcatragus megalotis Beira (Antelope) VU and is hence listed as Least Concern. There is no Equus africanusAfrican Wild Ass CR reason to believe it has undergone a significant somaliensis range-wide decline that would warrant listing in a Equus grevyi Grevy's Zebra R T threatened category IUCN http://www.iucnred­ Gazella dorcas Dorcas Gazelle VU list.org/. and no special management programme Gazella rufifrons Red-fronted Gazelle VU seems to be called for, other than the protection of Gazella soemmerringii Soemmerring's Gazelle VU all wildlife in the EPAS areas. Gazella spekei Speke's Gazelle VU Small Ethiopian mammals of special concern Grammomys minnae Ethiopian Thicket Rat EN VU Most small Ethiopian mammals of special con­ Hippopotamus am­Hippopotamus VU cern occur in the highlands and are protected in phibius Hipposideros mar­ NT particularly the Simien Mountains National Park ungensis and in Bale Mountains National Park (e.g. 46). Hipposideros megalotis Ethiopian Large-eared NT Their distributions are poorly known and further Roundleaf Bat studies are needed on their distributions. No spe­ Kerivoula eriophora Ethiopian Woolly Bat EN cial protection measures can be recommended Lepus starcki Ethiopian Highland Hare EN based on the existing available data. However, Lissonycteris petraea Petra Fruit Bat VU they are the main food source for predators, espe­ Lophuromys Short-tailed Brush-furred RatEN NT cially Canis simensis, and it is critical that they re­ brevicaudus main abundant. Severe grazing (by domestic live­ Lophuromys brunneus Thomas's Ethiopian Brush-EN stock) of their grassland/steppe habitat is espe­ furred Rat cially harmful (e.g. 45). Lophuromys chercher­ EN ensis Table 2 : Mammalian species of special concern Lophuromys chrysopus Ethiopian Forest Brush-EN NT Species Common Name Status furred Rat Acinonyx jubatus Cheetah VU Lophuromys flavo­Ethiopian Buff-spottedEN Alcelaphus buselaphus Swayne's Hartebeest EN CR punctatus Brush-furred Rat swaynei Lophuromys melanonyx Black-clawed Brush-furredEN VU Alcelaphus buselaphus Pale Tawny Hartebeest R CR Rat tora Lophuromys menage­ EN Ammodorcas clarke Dibatag or Clarke's Gazelle R VU shae Arvicanthis abyssinicus Ethiopian Arvicanthis EN Lophuromys EN Arvicanthis blicki Blick's Grass Rat EN NT pseudosikapusi Asellia patrizii Patrizi's Trident Leaf-nosed VU Loxodonta africana African elephant VU Bat Lycaon pictus African Wild Dog T Canis lupus lupaster “African Wolf” * T? Mastomys awashensis Awash Mastomys EN VU Canis simensis Ethiopian Wolf EN T Megadendromus Nikolaus's African ClimbingEN Capra walie Walia Ibex EN CR nikolausi Mouse Chlorocebus djamdja­Bale Mountains Vervet EN Miniopterus natalensis Natal Long-fingered Bat NT mensis Mormopterus acet­Natal Free-Tailed Bat VU Crocidura baileyi Bailey's Shrew EN NT abulosus Muriculus imberbis Striped-back Mouse EN T

60 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Species Common Name Status Mylomys rex Ethiopian Mylomys EN Myotis morrisi Morris's Bat VU Myotis scotti Scott's Mouse-eared Bat EN VU Nilopegamys plumbeus Ethiopian Water Mouse EN CR Otomops martiensseni Large-eared Free-tailed Bat NT Otomys typus Ethiopian Vlei Rat EN Otomys fortiori (all O. helleri 6) O. cheesmani O. yaldeni, O. simiensis Panthera leo Lion VU Pipistrellus aero Mt. Gargues Pipistrelle VU Plecotus balensis Ethiopian Long-eared Bat EN VU Rhinolophus blasii Blasius's Horseshoe Bat NT Rhinopoma macinnesi Macinnes's Mouse-tailed Bat VU Stenocephalemys al­White-footed Steno­EN bipes cephalemys Stenocephalemys albo­White-tailed Steno­EN NT caudata cephalemys Stenocephalemys gri­Gray-tailed Narrow-headed EN NT seicauda Rat Stenocephalemys ruppi Rupp's Stenocephalemys EN Tachyoryctes macro­Big-headed Mole Rat EN VU cephalus Tadarida ventralis African Giant Free-tailed Bat NT Theropithecus gelada Gelada EN Tragelaphus buxtoni Mountain Nyala EN T * Rueness et al. 2011 suggest reassessing Canis lupaster as a new subspecies in the Grey Wolf complex based on DNA find­ ings, rather than a Golden Jackal. EN = Endemic, R = Restricted Range, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near threatened, T = Threatened, CR = Critically endangered. Data generated from the IUCN Redlist website, http://www.iucnredlist.org, The Animal Diversity website of the University of Michigan, http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu,

61 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 45: Changes in the structures of ecosystem formations:.a) thick impenetrable thickets develop in response to in­ appropriate fire regimes and severe shortage of diverse grazers b) grazing severely affects most parks in Ethiopia, gen­ erating bush encroachment simultaneously with grassland degradation in Yabello National Park c) overgrazing at the hot springs at Awash National Park, one of the prime attractions of the park, d) The small number of elephants in Babile Elephant Sanctuary are not enough to keep bush encroachment down, which now also is furthered by the en­ croachment of non-native invasive Opuntia Cactuses.

Figure 46: Ethiopian endemic wildlife of great importance to the tourism industry: a). Mountain Nyala, Tragelaphus buxtoni, b) Ethiopian Wolf, Canis simensis, c) Walia, Capra walie.

62 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

2.2.3.2 Birds gratory birds with fund-raising and know- The Ethiopian avifauna represents an interesting how. mixture of African, Palearctic and some strikingly The European birdwatchers communities are par­ unusual endemic components, that in recent years ticularly interested in the wetlands with what they has caught the interest of the international birding consider “their” aquatic and wading birds. community, making Ethiopia one of Africa’s fast­ Moreover, these wetlands are essential stepping est growing destinations for birdwatching. Its stones for the survival of the Palearctic wetland 860+ avifauna counts at least 596 resident species birds, which brings them to the level of global sig­ and 224 others are regular seasonal migrants, in­ nificance. cluding 176 ones from the Palearctic (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Thirty-one species of global conser­ 43 species are restricted to Ethiopia and neigh­ vation concern have been recorded. bouring states on the Horn of Africa (see 3) of which 18 or 19 (depending on certain taxonomic criteria) are endemic to the country.

Most of the birds that are endemic to the high­ lands are distributed widely, but five species are restricted to tiny areas about which the following two are the most threatened:

Prince Ruspoli’s turaco, Tauraco ruspolii Prince Ruspoli’s turaco, Tauraco ruspolii, needs to be protected in a newly created area, preferably in areas where both its natural savannah ecosys­ tem occurs and the southeastern Juniper forest.

Sidamo Lark, Heteromirafra sidamoensis Figure 47: Birdwatching is among he world' most The Sidamo Lark, Heteromirafra sidamoensis, is broadly practised outdoors activities one of the most threatened species of birds in the (http://www/birdlist.org). Yearly millions of bird­ world. Immediate action is needed if the species is watchers travel overseas specifically to add new to be saved. species to their lifetime list. A long list of species can only be observed in Ethiopia. One needs to understand a bit better the hobby of birdwatchers in order to comprehend the signific­ Socially, birds enjoy a worldwide popularity and ance of restricted range birds for the ecotourism birdwatchers (47) are among the most active con­ market of birdwatchers. An important achieve­ servationists, which gives them much political ment for these aficionados of nature is their life­ weight. Particularly the European birdwatchers time bird list. The longer the list, the higher the not only support conservation efforts in their own prestige among fellow birdwatchers. Travelling to countries, but also in Africa on shared migratory the country with supposedly the largest number of birds. This translates into 2 major advantages for bird species in Africa, where one can then also the countries where these migratory birds pass add up to 43 species to one's lifetime list, that can their winter season: not be seen almost anywhere else, is a major • A large number of conservation oriented bird­ travel appetizer for scores of birdwatchers over­ watchers pressure their governments to fin­ seas. From an ecotourism point of view this is a ance biodiversity conservation projects in the big deal! wintering areas of “their” migratory birds; • Birdwatchers of the Nordic countries travel to The relative ease of observation of birds and the see the wintering areas of “their” migratory abundance of birdwatchers, make birds the most birds thus bringing in highly valued tourism studied taxon and the knowledge about birds has revenues and foreign currency earnings; and allowed much information on ecological and • They support the conservation efforts of the biogeographical processes to develop. As a result, countries with wintering areas for “their” mi­ birds can serve as the most suitable taxon for

63 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

monitoring and the early detection of changes in Area (see 48) which is defined on the following the health of an ecosystem (Navarro and Benítez criteria: 1995).  Holds significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species; The species of special concern are listed in 3 and  Is one of a set of sites that together hold a the table in MICOSYS which are both based on suite of restricted-range species or biome-re­ Ash & Atkins (2009) as well as the individual stricted species; and / or field notes of different authors and contributors of  Has exceptionally large numbers of migratory this report. or congregatory birds. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form part of a larger Besides the endemic and restricted range species, network of ‘Key Biodiversity Areas’—the most and species of global conservation concern, there important sites for biodiversity conservation is a major concern for aquatic and shore birds. worldwide, identified on the basis of the species Many wetlands, large and small, are used for irrig­ they contain. According to Birdlife International ation, while in general, the rural water use has in­ on its website, there are already good data on the creased, which has resulted in the drop of water status and distribution of bird species. However, tables of many lakes throughout the country. the information for species from many other groups is poor or patchy, often making it hard to As a result, many Eurasian migratory birds are identify the critical sites for these. Where informa­ losing their wintering wetlands, not only in tion on other groups is available, according to Ethiopia, but throughout Africa. Also some resid­ Birdlife International, the evidence suggests that ent aquatic birds are suffering from the disappear­ IBAs may be important sites for these as well. ance of some of their native habitat. For instance, EWNHS (1996 and 2001) has identified 69 IBAS. the water tables of Lake Abijatta and Lake Abe have both fallen and the greatly reduced stocks of Endemic Bird Area (EBA) Lesser Flamingos, Phoenicopterus minor, and no An Endemic Bird Area is defined as an area that breeding records are known since 2006. encompasses the overlapping breeding ranges of two or more restricted-range terrestrial birds, such Not all birds depend for their survival on natural that the complete ranges of at least two species habitat. Particularly the Ethiopian Bush Crow, Za­ fall entirely within the boundary of the EBA. 3 vattariornis stresemanni, and the White Tailed areas in Ethiopia qualify under those criteria: The Swallow, Hirundo megaensis, are found to do bet­ Northern and Southern Ethiopian Highlands with ter in agro-pastoral lands. 4 and 5 restricted range species, respectively, are located completely in Ethiopia. A third EBA, the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) Juba and Shebelle Valleys, with two restricted Birdlife International has developed a concept for range species is shared with neighboring Somalia bird conservation, by using birds as indicators for and Kenya (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/eba). conservation needs in general, the Important Bird

Table 3: Endemic and restricted range bird species and bird species of global conservation concern of Ethiopia Country Species English name Area in Population size Status km2 W Acrocephalus griseldis Basra Reed Warbler VU W Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle VU W Aquila heliaca Eastern Imperial Eagle VU W Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck VU ET, E Agapornis taranta Black-winged Lovebird 347,000 LC W Balaeniceps rex Shoebill NT ET Bostrychia carunculata Wattled Ibis 540,000 10,000‐ 25,000 LC ET Calandrella erlangeri Erlanger's Lark ET Caprimulgus solala Nechisar Nightjar 200 VU ET, S Cercomela dubia Sombre Rock Chat 58,700 W Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier NT ET, E Cisticola lugubris Ethiopian Cisticola

64 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Country Species English name Area in Population size Status km2 ET, E Columba albitorques White-collared Pigeon 295,000 LC ET, E, Su Corvus crassirostris Thick-billed Raven 466,000 LC W Crex crex Corn Crake VU ET Cyanochen cyanoptera Blue-winged Goose 361,000 5,000‐ 15,000 VU ET, E Dendropico sabyssinicus Abyssinian Roller 464,000 LC W Emberiza cineracea Cinereous Bunting NT ET, S Eupodotis humilis Little Brown Bustard 362,000 NT W Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel VU W Falco fasciinucha Falco fasciinucha VU ET, S, K Francolinus castaneicollis Chestnut-naped Francolin 224,000 LC ET Francolinus harwoodi Harwood's Francolin 17,000 10,000‐ 20,000 VU W Gallinago media Great Snipe NT W Glareola nordmanni Black-winged Pratincole NT W Grus carunculatus Wattled Crane VU ET Heteromirafra sidamoensis Sidamo or Liben Lark 30 250 CR ET Hirundo megaensis White-tailed Swallow 14,900 2,500‐ 10,000 VU ET, E Lybius undatus Banded Barbet 556,000 LC ET Macronyx flavicollis Abyssinian Longclaw 371,000 NT ET, E Melaenornis chocolatinus Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher 280,000 LC W Mirafra pulpa Friedmann's Lark NT ET,E Myrmecocichla melaena Rüppell's Black Chat 164,000 LC ET, E, S Oenanthe lugubris Abyssinian Black Wheatear ET, S Oenanthe phillipsi Somali Wheatear 46,800 LC ET, E Onychognathus albirostris White-billed Starling 99,000 LC ET,E,S,So Onychognathus blythii Somali Starling LC ET, E Oriolus monacha Ethiopian Black-headed Oriole 478,000 LC ET Parophasma galinirie Abyssinian Catbird 262,000 LC ET, E Parus leuconotus White-backed Tit 141,000 LC ET Petrochelidon sp. Ethiopian Cliff Swallow W Phoenicopterus minor Lesser Flamingo NT ET, S, K Ploceus dichrocephalus Juba Weaver LC ET Poicephalus flavifrons Yellow-fronted Parrot 126,000 LC ET, Su Pytilia lineata Ethiopian Pytilia ET, E Rougetius rougeti Rouget's Rail 335,000 2,500‐ 10,000 NT W Sarothrura ayresii White-winged Flufftail EN ET Serinus ankoberensis Ankober Serin 16,400 10,000‐ 20,000 VU ET Serinus flavigula Yellow-Throated Seedeater 4,600 250‐ 1,000 EN ET Serinus nigriceps Ethiopian Siskin 46,000 LC ET, E, S Serinus tristriatus Brown-rumped Seedeater 186,000 LC ET Serinus xantholaemus Salvadori's Serin 280 2,500‐ 10,000 VU ET, E Serinus xanthopygius Abyssinian Yellow-rumped Seedeater 102,000 LC ET, S, K Streptopelia reichenowi White-winged Collared Dove 110,000 NT ET, So Sylvietta philippae Philippa's Crombec 175,000 NT ET Tauraco ruspoli Prince Ruspoli's Turaco 12,000 2,500‐ 10,000 VU ET, E Thamnolaea semirufa White-winged Cliff-chat 193,000 LC ET Vanellus melanocephalus Spot-breasted Lapwing 80,000 1,000‐ 10,000 LC ET Zavattariornis stresemanni Ethiopian Bush Crow 4,600 2,500‐ 10,000 EN Information on range size and population size, mainly follows BirdLife International 2011 (www.bird­ life.org, April 2011). IUCN categories according to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (www.iucnred­ list.org).

65 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

ET – Ethiopia, E – Eritrea, S – Somalia, So – Socotra, K – Kenya, Su – Sudan, W wide range, CR – critic ­ ally endangered, EN – endangered, NT – near threatened, VU – vulnerable, LC – least concern A. nyroca, A., clanga, A. heliaca, F. naumanni, C. crex, C. macrourus, G. media, G. nordmanni and A. griseldis are non-breeding migrants from the Palearctic while Phoenicopterus minor is a non-breeding vis­ itor from elsewhere in the Afrotropics (only few breeding records are known in Ethiopia, Ash & Atkins 2009); the remainder are resident.

Figure 48: Important Birds Areas of Ethiopia (Birdlife International 2009).

66 Gap Analysis of the protected areas system of Ethiopia

Figure 49: a) The highest flying bird in the world, the Rüppell's Griffon, Gyps rueppellii is common in the Ethiopian highlands. b) Weaver Birds, are popular among birdwatchers.

Figure 50: a) Immensely popular with birdwatchers, the vulnerable Shoe-billed Stork occurs in Gambella National Park, Balaeniceps rex. b) Thick-billed Raven, Corvus crassirostris, is a common species in the Horn of Africa. Being large and conspicuous, it is a popular bird among birdwatchers.

Figure 51: a) The Von der Decken's Hornbill, Tockus deckeni, like other Hornbills is pupular among birdwatchers for its conspicuous bill. b) The Somali Ostrich, Struthio molybdophanes, has a range restricted to the Horn of Africa.

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