The Bale Mountains National Park (Ethiopia) was created in 1974, but was never officially gazetted. It was about to collapse in 2004 when the Frankfurt Zoological Society undertook to strengthen it, along with the Ethiopian Governement and NGO’s, building up a long term management plan that was taking into account local people’s needs.

The conservation challenge is typical of biodiversity-rich developing countries. In thirty years, the population grew from nothing up to 40,000 and just on the plateau the livestock expanded from a few scattered animals seasonally to over 170,000.

Meanwhile, more than 11 million people depend directly on the water flowing from the Bale Mountains. But the overuse of natural resources up in altitude affects people’s well being downstream and all the way to Somalia. If nothing is done, the unsustainable exploitation of grass, wood, water and space would lead to tragic and lasting impoverishment of human populations, locally and in many places of the Horn of Africa.

The real challenge is to protect the astounding biodiversity of the Bale Mountains, while making conservation programs benefit the local population; and to prove that it is protected that natural resources are worthiest on the long run. If so, maybe we will avoid the lost of one the most remarkable natural heritage we have got on our planet.

Delphin Ruché's exhibits, lectures and publications will aim at promoting conservation efforts and encourage ecotourism.

SUPPORT TO THIS PROJECT CAME FROM:

Fondation de France - Bourse Déclics Jeunes

Frankfurt Zoological Society (Germany)

Ministère de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Vie Associative (France) - Bourse Défi Jeunes

Solomon Berhe - car rental / tour operator

Ethiopian Airlines

Lowepro

Bale Mountains National Park

Editions Berger

Regional Government of Oromia, Ethiopia