Environmental issues in Ethiopia
Encyclopedia
As in many neighboring countries, most environmental issues in Ethiopia
relate to deforestation
and endangered species
.
is geologically active and susceptible to earthquakes. Hot springs
and active volcanoes are found in its extreme east close to the Red Sea
. Elsewhere, the land is subject to erosion
, overgrazing, deforestation
, and frequent droughts. Water shortages are common in some areas during the dry season. The causes of degradation are primarily the demand for more land for agriculture
, fuel and construction as well as for grazing grounds.
is one of the rarest and most endangered of all canid
species. The numerous names given to this species reflect previous uncertainties about its taxonomic position. However, the Ethiopian Wolf is now thought to be related to the wolves of the genus Canis, rather than the fox
es they resemble. Recent DNA
evidence even seems to indicate that the Ethiopian Wolf is a descendant of the Gray Wolf
. If this lineage is correct, Ethiopian Wolves would be the only genuine wolves in Africa
.
Although not listed as endangered, only 50,000-60,000 Gelada
s are known to exist. Hunting
and habitat
destruction has forced the Gelada into areas formerly inhabited only by the Olive Baboon
; hybridisation between the two species has been observed . In addition, in the southern part of the Amhara
Plateau, Gelada males are periodically killed in order to use their manes in a coming-of-age ceremonies. The consequent regular loss of much of the adult male population has disrupted the recovery of this population.
) remain in Ethiopia. Despite concern amongst conservationists, the 60-year-old Addis Ababa zoo is selling lion cubs to taxidermists because they are unable to feed the cats and lack room to house them.
Muhedin Abdulaziz, the zoo's administrator, said his US $64,000 budget was simply not enough to provide for more than 16 adult lions, which cannot be reintroduced to the wild. "There is a shortage of place and a shortage of budget and when they are over-populated, most of the time we send them to taxidermists," Muhedin said. "It is not really good, but we do this is because of the problems we have," he said.
The culling is done by a veterinarian
who kills the cubs with poison. The bodies are sold for about US $175 each to taxidermists who then retail the stuffed lions for US $400. "For the time being our immediate solution is to send them to the taxidermists, but the final and best solution is to extend the zoo into a wider area," Muhedin said.
The director of the wildlife division of Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture
said he had no idea the lions were being culled.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
relate to deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
and endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
.
Geological issues
The Great Rift ValleyGreat Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by British explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trench, approximately in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in South East Africa...
is geologically active and susceptible to earthquakes. Hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
and active volcanoes are found in its extreme east close to the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
. Elsewhere, the land is subject to erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
, overgrazing, deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, and frequent droughts. Water shortages are common in some areas during the dry season. The causes of degradation are primarily the demand for more land for agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, fuel and construction as well as for grazing grounds.
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian WolfEthiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf , also known as the Abyssinian wolf, Abyssinian fox, red jackal, Simien fox, or Simien jackal is a canid native to Africa...
is one of the rarest and most endangered of all canid
Canidae
Canidae is the biological family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and domestic dogs. A member of this family is called a canid . The Canidae family is divided into two tribes: Canini and Vulpini...
species. The numerous names given to this species reflect previous uncertainties about its taxonomic position. However, the Ethiopian Wolf is now thought to be related to the wolves of the genus Canis, rather than the fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
es they resemble. Recent DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
evidence even seems to indicate that the Ethiopian Wolf is a descendant of the Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
. If this lineage is correct, Ethiopian Wolves would be the only genuine wolves in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Gelada Baboons
Gelada
The gelada , sometimes called the gelada baboon, is a species of Old World monkey found only in the Ethiopian Highlands, with large populations in the Semien Mountains...
s are known to exist. Hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
destruction has forced the Gelada into areas formerly inhabited only by the Olive Baboon
Olive Baboon
The olive baboon , also called the Anubis baboon, is a member of the family Cercopithecidae . The species is the most widely spread of all baboons: it is found in 25 countries throughout Africa, extending south from Mali to Ethiopia and to Tanzania. Isolated populations are also found in some...
; hybridisation between the two species has been observed . In addition, in the southern part of the Amhara
Amhara Region
Amhara is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar....
Plateau, Gelada males are periodically killed in order to use their manes in a coming-of-age ceremonies. The consequent regular loss of much of the adult male population has disrupted the recovery of this population.
Ethiopian lions
Abyssinian lions are smaller than their east African cousins and the males have distinguishable black manes. Experts say only 1,000 Abyssinian lions (Panthera leo abyssinicaBlack Lion
Black Lion may refer to:* Black Lion Records, label* Black Lions , in mid-1930s Ethiopia* Black lion, lesions of primary syphilis* The Black Lions of Cantigny, the 28th U.S...
) remain in Ethiopia. Despite concern amongst conservationists, the 60-year-old Addis Ababa zoo is selling lion cubs to taxidermists because they are unable to feed the cats and lack room to house them.
Muhedin Abdulaziz, the zoo's administrator, said his US $64,000 budget was simply not enough to provide for more than 16 adult lions, which cannot be reintroduced to the wild. "There is a shortage of place and a shortage of budget and when they are over-populated, most of the time we send them to taxidermists," Muhedin said. "It is not really good, but we do this is because of the problems we have," he said.
The culling is done by a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
who kills the cubs with poison. The bodies are sold for about US $175 each to taxidermists who then retail the stuffed lions for US $400. "For the time being our immediate solution is to send them to the taxidermists, but the final and best solution is to extend the zoo into a wider area," Muhedin said.
The director of the wildlife division of Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ethiopia)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is the Ethiopian government ministry which oversees the agricultural and rural development policies of Ethiopia on a Federal level...
said he had no idea the lions were being culled.
External links
- WildCRU - Conservation of Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
Department of Zoology website - Eco-Tourism and Wildlife in Oromo territory