BY DARGIE KAHSAY
“In May 2020, a wolf (Red Fox) was wounded in its natural habitat after being gunned down. I found the wounded wolf in a very critical situation since the bullet hit its back leg. The wolf was on the way to lose its life. At that time, with the scouts of the Simien Mountains National Park, we treated the wolf like a human providing all necessary medications.
It was a very arduous task to treat the wounded wolf. By then, I invited veterinarian from Debariktown to treat the wolf. Recognizing that the wolf was critically wounded, the veterinarians decided to cut the leg. But, I refused the decision, instead advised him to give necessary support with follow-up. If the wolf lose its back leg, it would tough to survive.
Following the matter for 50 consecutive days together with scouts, the wolf was fully recovered and became healthy. Then, we send it to its habitat and multiply itself,”explained the wolf man of Simien,GetachewAssefa.
GetachewAssefa,conservationist of wolves (Red Fox) in Simien Mountains National Park,was born and raised in Debarik Town, North Gonder Zone of Amhara State in Ethiopia. Debarik isa town found near the UNESCO registered Simien Mountains National Park. The Simien Mountains National Park is known for its eye-caching topography and home for different wild animals, especially the well-known endemic animals of Ethiopia. He enjoyed his childhood in this beautiful mountainous and wildlife rich area known for its attractions.
As he grew in this rich wildlife site, he has a special connection with natural attractions. After he completed high school education, Getachew joined The Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP), a programme aimed to protect and conserve the Red Fox, a wolf endemic to Ethiopia, in 2002. EWCP was established in 1995 to help the Red Fox since this endemic wolf was endangered. Getachew joined this programme as a conservationist of Red Fox in Simien Mountains National Park and surrounding areas. He was the only person assigned for this position by EWCP.
Since then, almost for over 20 years, his life has been attached to wildlife. The Red Fox which is an endemic wolf was endangered since it was targeted by the community residing around the park due to less awareness towards wildlife. Without limiting itself in protecting the wolf, Getachewhas also raising awareness of the community at large. With this, he contributed a lot in increasing the number of Red Foxes in Ethiopia.
“I fell in love withRed Foxes after I joined EWCP. Even though I found a lot of opportunities that make me more beneficiary, I could not detach myself from wolves,” Getachew told The Ethiopian Herald. For Getachew wolves are not considered as dangerous animals but lovely creatures.
“Once you approach wolves, it is hard to depart from them. You never experience any conflict within a wolf’s family and the love between one another is incredible. They also unite to defend their family from external enemies,” Getachew stated.
Getachew restated that he joined the wolf conservation, attending in depth training on wildlife conservation in EWCP head office which is found at Bale Mountains National Park. After that, he has been offering training in different parts of the Amhara Regional state. MenzGuasa, AbuneYoseph, AbuhayGarya are some of the park benefited from the opportunity.
As a member of EWCP, Getachew has been played a greater role in increasing the number of wolves in Ethiopia. The programme was started to conserve and increase the number of Red Foxes in Ethiopia since it was endangered. Currently, though the number of wolves is increasing, it requires more effort.
For the contribution he made so far, Getachew has gained various recognitions from different organizations including UNESCO. He also gained a nickname called: the wolf man of Simien so as to recognize his contribution in the conservation effort of the wild wolf.
Now, Getachew is among the three finalists of the “McKenna-Travers Award for Compassionate Conservation 2022.”The award was established by Born Free Foundation which is the major donor for the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme. The award, which aims at promoting individual conservationists, has got its name by the founders of the programme.
“Ethiopian wolves are the world’s most threatened canned, with only around 500 individuals remaining. With a team of Wolf Monitors and Ambassadors, Getaschew carefully watches over the wolves that roam Simien Mountains National Park,” the foundation on its website stated to promote Getachew.
Getachew, the finalist, calls all Ethiopians to vote for him at the “Born Free” website since one selection criteria is public vote. Now, online voting is open to the public.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2022
