Conservation Challenges of Gibe Sheleko National Park, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

An effective management practice of protected areas is one of the best methods to harmonize nature conservation in a given ecosystem. However, the implementation of conservation management plan of protected areas through community approaches is the major conservation challenge in Ethiopia. This paper described the major conservation challenge of Gibe Sheleko National Park, southwestern Ethiopia. Data were organized during training workshops and panel discussions with participants held at Wolkite University, Ethiopia. Stakeholders included park managers, scouts, community and local administrative representatives, farmers, district and zonal administrations, conservationists and researchers. The participants reported that livestock grazing, encroachment, logging, expansion of agricultural investors and settlements in and around were the major challenges of the park. Moreover, limited community awareness and little conservation attention by the government officials also affected the protected area. As means to overcome these conservation challenges, innovative and develop new interdisciplinary approaches to support the practices aiming to solve current conservation challenges. Therefore, to introduce communitybased conservation approaches, enhance public awareness of the locals, pay better conservation attention by the government and develop conservation bylaws are the best mechanisms to preserve Gibe Sheleko National Park.

Conservation Opportunities and Local Community Attitudes towards Wildlife in Harenna Forest, South East Ethiopia

“…The presence of these opportunities might be important to conserve wildlife resources in Harenna forest in line with the findings of Amare [5,15].…”

“…The presence of these opportunities might be important to conserve wildlife resources in Harenna Forest and in line with the findings of Amare [5,15]. The presences of biodiversity-related conservation organizations have different roles for conservation and sustainable utilizations [16].…”

Wildlife Resources of Ethiopia: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Directions: From Ecotourism Perspective: A Review Paper

“…Those seven large mammals are; the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), Mountainnyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), Walia ibex (Capra walle), Menelik's bush buck, Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei), Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) and Bale monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) and the rest (83.9%) are smaller ones including 2, 9 and 15 species of bats, insectivores and rodents, respectively. However, the country has more than seven large mammals [19]- [23]. For example, Boutourlini's blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlini) which is an endemic sub species of blue monkey [24] [25], Ethiopian Lion (Panthera leo abyssincum) [26], Starck's Hare (Lepus starcki) and Giant mole rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus) were some of endemic mammals of Ethiopia that are not included under unique endemic species.…”

“…The country is one of few countries where the establishments of protected areas are increasing. For example, Ethiopia had only two protected areas (namely; Awash and Simien Mountains National Park) before 40 years and today has more than 55 protected areas (including 21 national parks) [19] (Figure 2) to protect and conserve the natural ecosystems and wildlife heritage of the country [10] [29] ( Table 2). Conversely, those protected areas are exposed to severe pressure, which threatens their existence and sustainability due to anthropogenic effects [19] [30]- [32].…”

“…Ethiopia is located at 3˚30'N and 15˚00'N latitude and 33˚E and 48˚E longitudes in the horn of Africa, and one of the wildlife biodiversity centers of the world [12]- [14]. Ethiopia is one of the top 25 biodiversity-rich countries in the world, and hosts two of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots, namely: the Eastern Afromontane and the Horn of Africa hotspots [11] [15].…”