As in many neighboring countries, most environmental issues in Ethiopia relate to deforestation and endangered species.
Contents |
The Main Ethiopian Rift is geologically active and susceptible to earthquakes. Hot springs and active volcanoes are found in its extreme east close to the Red Sea. Elsewhere, the land is subject to erosion, overgrazing, deforestation, and frequent droughts. Water shortages are common in some areas during the dry season. The causes of degradation are primarily the demand for more land for agriculture, fuel and construction as well as for grazing grounds.
The Ethiopian Wolf is one of the rarest and most endangered of all canid species. The numerous names given to this species reflect previous uncertainties about its taxonomic position. However, the Ethiopian Wolf is now thought to be related to the wolves of the genus Canis, rather than the foxes they resemble. Recent DNA evidence even seems to indicate that the Ethiopian Wolf is a descendant of the Gray Wolf . If this lineage is correct, Ethiopian Wolves would be the only genuine wolves in Africa.
Although not listed as endangered, only 50,000-60,000 Geladas are known to exist. Hunting and habitat destruction has forced the Gelada into areas formerly inhabited only by the Olive Baboon; hybridisation between the two species has been observed . In addition, in the southern part of the Amhara Plateau, Gelada males are periodically killed in order to use their manes in a coming-of-age ceremonies. The consequent regular loss of much of the adult male population has disrupted the recovery of this population.
Abyssinian lions are smaller than their east African cousins and the males have distinguishable black manes. Experts say only 1,000 Abyssinian lions (Panthera leo abyssinica) remain in Ethiopia. Despite concern amongst conservationists, the 60-year-old Addis Ababa zoo is selling lion cubs to taxidermists because they are unable to feed the cats and lack room to house them.[1]
Muhedin Abdulaziz, the zoo's administrator, said his US $64,000 budget was simply not enough to provide for more than 16 adult lions, which cannot be reintroduced to the wild. "There is a shortage of place and a shortage of budget and when they are over-populated, most of the time we send them to taxidermists," Muhedin said. "It is not really good, but we do this is because of the problems we have," he said.
The culling is done by a veterinarian who kills the cubs with poison. The bodies are sold for about US $175 each to taxidermists who then retail the stuffed lions for US $400. "For the time being our immediate solution is to send them to the taxidermists, but the final and best solution is to extend the zoo into a wider area," Muhedin said.[1]
The director of the wildlife division of Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture said he had no idea the lions were being culled.
|
|||||||||||
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Library of Congress Country Studies.