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Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

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Foreword<br />

The <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> are unique in Africa. They encompass Africa’s largest alpine plateau and c<strong>on</strong>tain <strong>the</strong><br />

largest populati<strong>on</strong>s of two of Africa’s least known and yet most charismatic species – <strong>the</strong> Ethiopian wolf and<br />

<strong>the</strong> mountain nyala. They also harbor an excepti<strong>on</strong>ally high number of o<strong>the</strong>r species endemic to Ethiopia<br />

and, in some cases, endemic to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> <strong>the</strong>mselves. For this <strong>the</strong>y are included in C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong><br />

Internati<strong>on</strong>al’s Eastern Afrom<strong>on</strong>tane Biodiversity Hotspot and are designated <strong>on</strong>e of BirdLife Internati<strong>on</strong>al’s<br />

Important Bird Areas. Isolati<strong>on</strong> and rarity put <strong>the</strong>se endemic species at high risk of extincti<strong>on</strong> and, thus,<br />

in need of effective c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> strategies that are supported nati<strong>on</strong>ally and internati<strong>on</strong>ally. But not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />

does this area protect a significant porti<strong>on</strong> of Ethiopia’s and <strong>the</strong> world’s biodiversity, it also gives rise to key<br />

watersheds and natural resources that are <strong>the</strong> basis for local, nati<strong>on</strong>al and internati<strong>on</strong>al livelihoods. The more<br />

we learn about <strong>the</strong> range of goods and services provided by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong>, <strong>the</strong> more vital our efforts<br />

become to ensure <strong>the</strong>ir c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> and sustainable management.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> heart of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> is <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Park, <strong>on</strong>e of Ethiopia’s most<br />

important protected areas. The park was proclaimed after early scientific studies revealed <strong>the</strong> uniqueness of<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong>, thus eliciting <strong>the</strong> attenti<strong>on</strong> needed to drive greater c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> efforts. These research<br />

pi<strong>on</strong>eers – Herbet Mo<strong>on</strong>ey (1958-1959), Lesley Brown (1963 and 1965), Curtis Buer (1969-1971), and Chris<br />

Hillman (1980s-90s) – have been followed by many o<strong>the</strong>rs and our knowledge of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> has<br />

grown accordingly. Securing <strong>the</strong> future of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Park remains a top priority for <strong>the</strong><br />

Ethiopian Wildlife C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> Authority and, wherever possible, research should c<strong>on</strong>tinue to underpin<br />

c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> and management decisi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />

This <str<strong>on</strong>g>Special</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Editi<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tains <strong>the</strong> work of recent Ethiopian and internati<strong>on</strong>al researchers and<br />

c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>ists, covering a range of ecological, sociological and management issues. It will be a great<br />

resource for future c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong>ists, researchers and managers alike, and will raise internati<strong>on</strong>al awareness<br />

of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong>, <strong>the</strong>ir ecological, social and ec<strong>on</strong>omic importance and <strong>the</strong> threats <strong>the</strong>y face. Many<br />

questi<strong>on</strong>s and challenges remain. It is my hope and belief that this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Special</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Editi<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> will draw <strong>the</strong> attenti<strong>on</strong> of<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r researchers and c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>ers so that, toge<strong>the</strong>r, we may better understand and manage <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> for future generati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />

Dr. Kifle Argaw,<br />

EWCA Director<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>Walia</str<strong>on</strong>g>-<str<strong>on</strong>g>Special</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Editi<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> III

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