African Parks has joined forces with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and Ethiopia’s Gambella State to chart a new course for the conservation and development of Gambella National Park. The management partnership, signed this week, is a pivotal step in protecting one of Ethiopia’s most ecologically significant landscapes.
African Parks has signed a long-term management partnership with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) and the President of the Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State (the Gambella State) to manage Gambella National Park, the largest national park in Ethiopia.
Gambella National Park has vital social and ecological value. It forms part of an important ecosystem within the Gambella State, on which local communities and wildlife populations rely for survival. The region is inhabited by various pastoral and agricultural Nilotic communities, including the Nuer, Anuak, Majang, and Omotic peoples – comprising a local population estimated to be approximately 400,000. It supports important wildlife populations and extensive wetlands that provide critical habitat for Nile lechwe, buffalo and migratory birds. In addition, Gambella forms a key part of a much larger natural system that stretches across southern Ethiopia and South Sudan, which is home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth. As announced earlier this year, approximately six million antelope move across the broader landscape annually, incorporating Gambella and South Sudan’s Boma-Badingilo National Parks.
Gambella National Park is situated in southwestern Ethiopia and covers approximately 4,575 km2. Gambella was established as a national park in 1973 to preserve its exceptional biodiversity and important wetland habitats. Located between two major river systems, the Baro River in the north and the Akobo River in the south, Gambella is rich in its species variety, including the country’s largest remaining population of elephant and one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world – the Nubian giraffe.
Today’s agreement will allow a collaborative partnership between African Parks, EWCA, the Gambella State, and local communities to channel new investment into the region and develop a comprehensive strategy for conserving the park’s biodiversity. This will enable the region to develop resilience to climate change while promoting the sustainable use of resources to benefit those who depend on them for their livelihoods. To achieve long-term success and sustainable conservation efforts, the partnership will start with a 12-month transition period, enabling African Parks to better understand the needs of the communities living around the park and to co-create a management plan with input from local stakeholders.
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This important initiative is made possible by the European Union, the Hempel Foundation, the Wyss Foundation, and various philanthropic funders’ support.
Kumara Wakjira, Director General of EWCA, says: “This partnership is more than just a contractual agreement; it is a testament to the power of collaboration. We look forward to working with both the Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State and African Parks to unlock the full potential of Gambella – not only for Gambella as a region but for Ethiopia as a whole.”
Alemitu Umod, President of Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State, says: “Gambella National Park is at the heart of our region, and this partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter in Gambella’s story. By working together with African Parks and EWCA, we’ll not only conserve our wilderness but also create economic opportunities for local communities. This is a significant step towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for our region.”
Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Board Member of the African Parks Network, says: “This is an important step in the long-term protection of these vital ecosystems and will help secure lasting benefits for the people and wildlife of Ethiopia. African Parks is a recognised partner in protected area management across Africa, and I am confident that this will be a productive and successful partnership, which will see significant benefits for the region and the country.”
Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, says: “We are honoured to be working with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and with the government and local communities in the Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State. This agreement is a testament to their commitment to safeguard the future of Gambella and its vitally important biodiversity for the benefit of all who rely on it.”
African Parks currently manages 23 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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