Wildlife species

Ethiopia’s diversity of topography and climate provides favourable environments for a wide variety and abundance of wildlife. Recorded species include 277 mammals, 861 birds, 201 reptiles, 63 amphibians, 150 freshwater fish, over 1,225 arthropods and 6,500-7000 vascular plants. Several species are endemic to Ethiopia. These include 31 mammals, 16 birds, 14 reptiles, 23 amphibians, 6 fish, 7 arthropods and 720-900 plants. Larger mammal species include African elephant, Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf, Mountain Nyala, Cape buffalo, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Lion, Leopard, Waterbuck, Gazelle, Kudu and Common eland.

Diversity of Ecosystems

In Ethiopia, wildlife species live in diverse ecosystems, from the desert lowland in Dalol depression to the highest Afro Alpine environment in the Simien and Bale Mountains. The Rift Valley and the peripheral lowlands of the country have abundant wildlife populations.

The northern and the south eastern highlands of the country have less wildlife diversity though most of the endemic species occur here. The major endemic species in this part of the country include the Ethiopian wolf, Gelada baboon, Mountain Nyala, and Walia ibex. Areas that support wildlife in Ethiopia can be categorized with protected and unprotected status. Wildlife is mainly found in the following areas:

• Wildlife Conservation Areas:

Ethiopia has several designated wildlife conservation areas including 15 national parks (20,833 km²); three wildlife sanctuaries (9,532 km²), 11 wildlife reserves (24,810 km²) and 18 controlled hunting areas (131,820 km²). The government has committed to designate over 193,000 km2 (16.5% of the total area of the country) in order to increase the protection of the wildlife resources of the country.

• National Forest Priority Areas (NFPAs):

Ethiopia has 58 National Forest Priority Areas (48,000 km²). Although the primary objective of NFPA is to conserve the country's remaining forests, they are extremely valuable in sheltering large numbers of species, including some that are not found in the wildlife conservation areas.

• Wetlands:

Ethiopia has 25 Rift Valley and Central Highland lakes as well as several other aquatic areas containing rich species diversity. Thirty-one percent of Ethiopia’s rarest birds are found in wetland habitats.