As a result of the increasing pressure on the Babille ES and increasing reports of human and elephant conflict and ivory poaching, WSD initiated the Babille ES Community Conservation Project in February 2008. The project has the following major activities:

1. Define the boundaries of the Sanctuary and human settlements

Over the last 40 years, local communities have not been fully involved in the management of Babille ES and have not recognized the value of protecting the wildlife resources. Over 45 villages have been established inside the original Sanctuary boundary and Sanctuary land has been cleared for agriculture. The expansion of biofuel investments since March 2007 in the elephant areas has aggravated the situation.

In March 2008, WSD in partnership with the local communities, Ethiopia Wildlife Conservation Authority, and the Oromia Region started the demarcation of the Sanctuary. To date, 26 villages on the Oromia Region side of the Sanctuary have agreed and finalized boundaries. The work continues on the Somali Region side of the Sanctuary. Based on the approval of the new Sanctuary boundaries, the Government of Ethiopia has promised to upgrade the Sanctuary to National Park status.