Simien National Park

Natural landscape of Simien National Park

Endangered Species

Simien National Park has many endangered species; plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere in the world. The park has three general botanical regions; alpine, grassland, and higher lands (Ethiopia Travel, 2009). Botanical plants such as Red Hot Pokers, Giant Lobelia, and heathers cover the grassland. The forest is filled with lush wooded trees and the vegetation in Simien National Park is needed for the animals’ survival. The many animals in Siemens National Park are endemic to the landscape and area of the park; they include the Gelada Baboon, Simien fox, Walia ibex, and a variety of birds.

Partnership and Funding

Funding is needed to protect the endangered species and plants, which need each other to thrive. Significant financial support, community partnership, and extending the parks boundaries will help the park thrive and develop sustainable livelihoods for all species (World Heritage Center, 2011). Funding will help the park flourish and maintain the natural habitat. Human development, soil erosion, and cultivation of the land have interfered with the natural habitat, adding many animals and plants to the endangered species list. Effective park management can control populations without interfering with the park’s natural habitat and ecosystem.

Structure in Simien National Park

The larger animals are seen less frequently because the smaller animals are losing their habitat. “Causes of decline include reduction of habitat due to agriculture and disease (rabies and distemper) transmitted through domestic dogs” (Earth’s Endangered Creatures, 2011). Larger animals such as the Gelada Baboon need vegetation, insects, and herbs to survive. The Gelada Baboons are very tame; people can walk near them before they climb to a nearby cliff. The Ethiopian wolves, or more commonly known as the Siemen fox, are on the endangered species list and are found only in the Siemens National Park. They eat rodents such as rats, moles, and other burrowing animals, which are also on the decline. Siemen fox are rarely seen by visitors.

World Heritage Danger List

If funding for Simien National Park is not met the wildlife and plants will die out. According to UNESCO, “The property is of global significance for biodiversity conservation because it is home to globally threatened species, including the iconic Walia ibex, a wild mountain goat found nowhere else in the world, the Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf.” The animals rely on the vast lowland vegetation as well as the high mountain forests and cliffs. Roughly 80% of Simien National Park is under the control of the human population since the park was inscribed in the World Heritage in Danger list.

Gelada Baboon and Walia ibex mountain goat

Rare and endangered species live in Simien National Park, which must be preserved and studied. The Walia ibex mountain goat will graze among the grass, with the local farmer’s animals. Most Walia ibex inhabit the cliffs and steep mountain tops. The black headed forest oriole, the wattled ibis, and other; more common bird such as eagles, hawks, and herons can be found in the Siemen National Park for the lush forest and the grassland vegetation. Human encroachment in the area inhibits the natural beauty and ecosystem found nowhere else in the world.

Effects of Human Population

Human intrusions threaten Simien National Park, the vegetation, and the wildlife living on the property. The local population contains more than 30,000 people and most are farmers or herders who live on the property. “Agricultural and pastoral activities, including both civilization of a significant area of the property and grazing of a large population of animals in particular have severely affected the natural values of the property” (UNESCO, 2011). Human settlement is taking over 60-80% of the park, using the land for grazing their cattle and cultivating land.

Human cultivation and animal grazing

Simien fox

An increase in human population threatens the lives of the animals, the land, and the future of the park unless financial need is met for the proper management. Deforestation on lands within Simien National Forest results in the extinction of species, isolation, and loss of critical habitat. (Worldwildlife.org). Farming on the sloops has caused an increase in soil erosion, which interferes with the hydro-power watersheds and power outages. This decline in sedimentation lowers the water quality and negatively impacts the natural biodiversity of Simien National Park.

Culture and History

Erosion is consuming the culture and history of the park from as far back as the 18th and 19th centuries. According to the World Heritage Center, 2011), “Massive erosion over the years on the Ethiopian plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys, and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m.” Carved stones, made by cultivators and settlers, from the 18th and 19th centuries can be found in the slopes of the valleys deteriorating. Maintaining the 15th century churches and old palaces is important for the well-being of the ecosystem and tourism in Siemens National Park.

Mountain peaks of the park

Preservation of Land

Many efforts have been made to continue the preservation of Simien National Park. The land is fertile, despite the volcanic activity years ago; vegetation is kept lush by the local farmers. “Volcanic activity resulted with the flow of lava forming several layers of rock and compact ash; years of erosion followed, leaving behind fertile land” (Africa Point, 2011). The land is perfect for growing vegetation, which attracts many species of birds such as the Abyssinian catbird, the black winded lovebird, and the thick billed raven. The proposed sections of the property will be free of cultivation and human settlement to support the species in the area.

Scenic photo of the property

During the global climate change, the area needs to be protected under legislation, and management to work with local communities to protect the species and natural resources. Developing “a strategy and action plan to significantly reduce the impact of livestock grazing on the conservation of the property by introducing no grazing or limiting grazing zones based on ecological criteria” (CMSDATA) is important for the ecosystem of the property. Local communities are expanding without understanding the effects they have on the surrounding area. Preserving Simien National Park can increase revenue for the local population by increasing knowledge and involvement.

Individuals can help preserve the identity of Simien National Park by increasing involvement in programs both in and outside the local area. “Adequate finance to support resettlement of populations living in the property, on a fully voluntary basis, and to introduce effective management of grazing is also essential to reduce the extreme pressure on wildlife” (UNESCO, 2011). Park guides are trained to protect against aggressive wild animals, scouts are trained in camping and hiking, and first aid training is a must for every employee at Siemen National Park.

Entering Simien National Park

Increasing tourism and community partnership can reduce dependence on the community, develop sustainable lives, and increase revenue. Tourism has grown strong. According to CMSDATA, “Visitor numbers have almost doubled since 2006 and increased ten-fold since the property was listed as being in danger.” New hotels and an up-market lodge in Debark have contributed to the growth in tourism to Simien National Park. The benefits from tourism have improved attitudes and acceptance of the conservation methods needed to keep the Simien National Park as natural as possible. Tourism can increase the funding and help remove the property from the World Heritage in Danger List. Increasing knowledge and understanding can help preserve the property and increase funding.

“Insufficient funding of all conservation- and protected-area programs, contributed to resistance to, and mostly ineffective enforcement of, many conservation bylaws and the government’s exclusionary protected-area policy” (Worldwildlife.org). Simien National Park needs funding to preserve the endangered species, environment in which they live, and the history that lies within the park. By increasing education and tourism to the area, local farmers can increase revenue to protect the property, ecosystem, and species for future generations to come.

Simien National Park

Resources

Africa Point.net (n.d.). Simien National Park – A Popular Ethiopia Travel Destination. Retrieved April 28, 2011 from http://www.africapoint.net/local-sites/parks/52-simien-national-park-ethiopia.html

Earth’s Endangered Creatures (2011). Ethiopian Wolf. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile-152.html

Ethiopia Travel (2009). Simien Mountains. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://www.ethiopiatravel.com/simien_mountains.htm

Geberemedhin, B. & Grubb, P. (2008). Capra walie. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from www.iucnredlist.org

Huges, H. and West, L. Frommer’s 500 Places to See Before They Disappear. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://books.google.com/books

Jacobs, M.J. and Schloeder, C.A. (2001). Impacts of Conflict on Biodiversity and Protected Areas in Ethiopia. Summary of Impacts. World Wildlife Fund, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://www.worldwildlife.org/bsp/publications/africa/147/Summary.htm

Selamta (2010). Gelada Baboon. Retrieved April 28, 2011 from http://www.selamta.net/Gelada%20baboon.htm

Selamta (2010). Simien National Park. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://www.selamta.net/simien%20Park.htm

Simien National Park – Ethiopia (n.d.). State of conservation of World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/simien_34_com_soc_report.pdf

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Centre (2011). World Heritage Convention. Simien National Park. Retrieved April 27, 2011 from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/9/

Christof Schenck. World Heritage Convention. (2011). [Photograph of scenic photo of Simien National Park] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from www.zgf.de

Christof Schenck. World Heritage Convention. (2011). [Photograph of a Simien fox in the Simien National Park] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from www.zgf.de

Christof Schenck. World Heritage Convention. (2011). [Photograph of Gelada Baboons] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from www.zgf.de

Christof Schenck. World Heritage Convention. (2011). [Photograph of a person entering Simien National Park on horseback] Simien National Park. Retrieved April 30, 2011 from www.zgf.de

Els Slots. (n.d.). World Heritage Site. [Photograph of the mountain peaks in Simien National Park] Simien National Park. Retrieved April 30, 2011 from http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/simien.html

Notes & images from earth. (2011). [Photograph of human cultivation in Africa] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from http://cernius.ly/

UNESCO World Heritage Site. (2011). [Photograph of the natural landscape in Simien National Park] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from http://unesco.tumblr.com/page/4

World News Network. (2011). [Photograph of a Structure in Simien National Park] Retrieved April 30, 2011 from http://wn.com/Amhara_Region