Wildlife, birds in Ethiopia’s Awash national park endangered

June 25, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Wildlife and birds in Ethiopia ‘s prestigious Awash National Park, one of the country’s national parks located some 225 km east of the capital Addis Ababa, are either migrating or endangered for extinction, a park official lamented Monday.

Park manager Arega Mokonen told journalists that the wildlife and birds are migrating to the neighboring countries due to the ever-shrinking of their habitat due to man-made calamities.

The 756 square km area of the park was designated as a national park some 40 years ago, he said, adding that only one- third of the stated area of land is currently preserved as home to the wildlife and birds.

The remaining area of the park is used by pastoralists living around the park for grazing and vegetation and grass of the park have been weathering away due to overgrazing, he said.

The manager said that officials from the Oromia and Afar states have already begun discussing with local people on issues related to the preservation of the park.

However, he said a lasting solution should be devised through consultations to be held with pertinent government institutions and the local people living around the park.

Officials from culture and tourism bureau of the Oromia State said the problem would possibly be solved through enabling pastoralists to benefit from the park.

The Awash National Park has mainly acacia woodland and grassland environment. It has great wildlife like Oryx, Soemmerring ‘s Gazelle, and over 400 species of birds.

(Xinhua)