ADDIS ABABA – In a bold move to preserve one of Ethiopia’s most iconic and endangered species, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) has unveiled a comprehensive five-year National Strategic Plan aimed at increasing the population of the Walia Ibex to 600.
This rare mountain-dwelling goat, found only in Ethiopia, is endemic to the Simien Mountains and holds a deep cultural and ecological significance.
The announcement was made during a high-level consultative forum in Gondar, where stakeholders convened to deliberate on the urgent steps needed to reverse the alarming decline of the Walia Ibex.
The EWCA revealed that although the population of the ibex had once reached 865, it has drastically dropped to just 306 due to intensified illegal activities in and around the Simien Mountains National Park.
EWCA Director General Kumera Wakjira emphasized the importance of coordinated, research-based conservation strategies. “The Walia Ibex is not only a national treasure but a symbol of our environmental heritage. Its survival depends on strong collaboration between federal, regional, and local partners,” he said.
“This strategic plan defines clear roles and responsibilities, which must now be translated into action on the ground.”
The plan outlines a multifaceted approach that includes enhanced law enforcement in protected areas, increased funding, community-based eco-tourism initiatives, and the establishment of a dedicated professional study group to monitor progress.
Central to the plan is the belief that local communities must benefit from conservation to ensure long-term success.
Deputy Director General EWCA Solomon Mekonnen called on all stakeholders to honor the legacy of Ethiopia’s forebears, who preserved these natural landscapes for future generations. “We must avoid being remembered as the generation that lost the Walia Ibex,” he stated.
Tourism State Minister Silesh Girma echoed the sentiment, highlighting the strategic role of biodiversity in Ethiopia’s tourism-led development agenda. “Tourism is a major economic driver, and the Walia Ibex is a powerful attraction.
Protecting it is both an ecological and economic imperative,” he said. “Investing in biodiversity conservation ensures that both wildlife and communities thrive.”
Participants of the Gondar forum, including local administrators, researchers, and community leaders, pledged their commitment to awareness-raising efforts and grassroots engagement to protect the park and its ecosystem.
With its dramatic escarpments and rare wildlife, the Simien Mountains National Park remains one of Ethiopia’s most breathtaking natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The renewed focus on the Walia Ibex offers hope that this majestic animal will not only survive but flourish in its ancestral home, as part of a sustainable and inclusive conservation model.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2025
