News

May 2008 – Awash National Park officials and local police arrested a man for shooting 40 lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) inside the park. Lesser kudu, a protected species, are medium sized, grey with white stripes, browsing antelopes that are of a vulnerable conservation status within the Park. After having his gun confiscated the arrested man was released after two weeks detention.

June 2008 – As part of its fundraising efforts, ‘Save Awash National Park’ released a ‘Guide to the Common Mammals of Awash National Park’, supporter’s t-shirt and a series of photo cards. All items will be for sale from late June onwards at ANP Amareti Entrance Gate and Filoha Café.

June 2008 - Having spent a month in Awash National Park in early 2008, professional British photographer, Tommos Bragwyn, has kindly donated to ‘Save Awash National Park’ a series of postcards featuring wildlife and landscape images from around the park and the local Afar people. These postcards will be available for purchase from August onwards at ANP Amareti Entrance Gate and Filoha Café.

December 2008 - Following up on reports by ‘Save Awash National Park’ , the park conducted a campaign to eliminate charcoal production from within its borders. To date more than 30 people have been arrested, dozens of charcoal mounds destroyed mid production, and over 2000 bags of charcoal, with a street value of nearly 160 000 Birr, have been seized or destroyed.

January 2009 - ‘Save Awash National Park’ and park representatives met with local Afar elders to discuss the charcoal problem inside the park. The elders revealed that most do not support charcoal making but, at the risk of causing conflict within their own communities, have been reluctant to confront the problem. One elder told how he was saddened that their sons had stopped attending school in order to make fast money from the charcoal. Others admitted to supporting charcoal making as it was the only way they could support their family.

May 2009 - Awash Falls Lodge officially opened. Situated next to the Awash Falls, the new lodge offers a tranquil spot to enjoy the falls and wildlife. It can accommodate up to 34 guests, and has a pool, bar, restaurant and small conference facilities.

June 2009 - ‘Save Awash National Park’ teamed up with the Austrian Embassy to create the Waterbuck Warden program. Through the program we hope to raise awareness about the waterbucks’ plight, and work with the park and local community to protect and monitor the surviving population and their habitat.

July 2009 Wildlife for Sustainable Development (WSD) conducted a two week training program for tourism, biology and community officers from four national parks.

July 2009 - The Afar community neighbouring Awash National Park have resolved amongst themselves to stop making charcoal inside the park.

October 2009 - The Sustainable Development of the Protected Area System of Ethiopia completed its intensive 8 week training of the Awash NP scouts.

October 2009 - SANP continues with its Prosopis juliflora Program. To date over 1500 trees have been destroyed. Monitoring of controlled areas suggests a 95% success rate in eliminating this harmful invasive tree species.

November 2009 - As part of the Waterbuck warden program, SANP and the Austrian Embassy launch their new environmental education program, which includes the new 'Caring for Our Environment' education booklet, in four Afar schools neighbouring ANP.

December 2009 - ANP welcomes its new warden Ato Bekele Gizaw, who was the previous warden of Senkele Swayne's Hartebeast Sanctuary.

January 2010 - SANP and 'Help for Africa' commence a project to improve basic infrastructure and resources in the schools neighbouring ANP. Improvements include solar lighting, book resources and cement cladding for mud-walled classrooms.

March 2010 - ANP receives heavy rain, bringing a resurgence of plan and animal life, although some roads are damaged.

April 2010 - ANP erects several new road signs informing drivers on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti road to slow down due to the presence of wildlife.