Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary is a protected area
in the Oromia Region
(or kilil) of Ethiopia
, dedicated especially to the protection of the Swayne's Hartebeest
. Covering 58 square kilometers, the reserve is located some 10 kilometers south of the Shashemene-Arba Minch
road near the town of Aje.
Although the sanctuary was set aside to protect the largest population of Swayne's Hartebeest
in Ethiopia, a mammal endemic to the country, the original herd of 3,000 animals has dwindled to a few hundred due to poaching. Nevertheless, according to the travel writer Philip Briggs "the small size of the reserve and open terrain make it the one place in Ethiopia where Swayne's hartebeest sightings are practically guaranteed."
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
in the Oromia Region
Oromia Region
Oromia is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia...
(or kilil) of Ethiopia
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...
, dedicated especially to the protection of the Swayne's Hartebeest
Swayne's Hartebeest
Swayne's Hartebeest is an endangered antelope native to Ethiopia. It has been extirpated from Somalia....
. Covering 58 square kilometers, the reserve is located some 10 kilometers south of the Shashemene-Arba Minch
Arba Minch
Arba Minch is a city in southern Ethiopia; less common names for this city include Ganta Garo and Minghi. Located in the Gamo Gofa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region about 500 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, at an elevation of 1285 meters above sea level...
road near the town of Aje.
Although the sanctuary was set aside to protect the largest population of Swayne's Hartebeest
Swayne's Hartebeest
Swayne's Hartebeest is an endangered antelope native to Ethiopia. It has been extirpated from Somalia....
in Ethiopia, a mammal endemic to the country, the original herd of 3,000 animals has dwindled to a few hundred due to poaching. Nevertheless, according to the travel writer Philip Briggs "the small size of the reserve and open terrain make it the one place in Ethiopia where Swayne's hartebeest sightings are practically guaranteed."