Wildlife & Endangered Species

There are approximately 107 endangered species in Ethiopia including the Ethiopian Wolf and the Abyssinian Lion, whose situations are particularly precarious. There are only 400 wolves and 1,000 lions remaining in the wild with no one fighting for them. There is not even enough funds for the proper maintenance of the lions in the Addis Ababa Zoo. Reclamation of land for farming and poor enforcement of existing laws governing wildlife are in large part responsible for this unfortunate situation. The existing animal preserves are poorly run and short of funds.

In 2007 AGMF President, Anteneh Roba, Bestfriends, and Vice-President, Seble Nebiyelul, visited Ethiopia together with an international conservationist. They met with government officials including the Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the department responsible for wildlife preservation and the director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society which is also working to preserve Ethiopian wildlife. While there they also visited the Bale National Park, the Senkell Hartbeast Sanctuary, Awash National Park and the Shalla and Abiata National Parks and met with the parks' wardens. Meaningful discussions were held with all so these individuals to determine a course of action that the Foundation could take to improve wildlife preservation. During the visit, video footage was shot for the production of a documentary to demonstrate the plight of wildlife and endangered species in the country and garner support for the Foundation's efforts in the United States and around the world.