Babile Elephant Sanctuary

The Babile Elephant Sanctuary is a protected area in eastern Ethiopia's Oromia Region, located 560 km east of Addis Ababa and 40 km south of Harar. Covering 6,982 km², it includes the valleys of the Erer, Dakata, and Fafen rivers, which are tributaries of the Shabelle River. The sanctuary features elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,750 meters above sea level, with lower areas in the south. A notable attraction is the Valley Of Marvels, known for its unique Precambrian-era hoodoos. The sanctuary is home to 237 plant species across 57 families, including semi-arid Acacia woodlands, scrublands, savannahs, evergreen shrubs, and cactus areas. Some woody species are near threatened, comprising 1.4% of the total density. Prickly pear cactuses, though invasive, provide sustenance for elephants during dry conditions. The fauna includes 36 mammal species, such as African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana oleansie), with a population of 200-300 in the western areas. Other mammals include baboons, dik-diks, reedbucks, bushbucks, gazelles, warthogs, and kudus. Carnivores like lions, leopards, hyenas, genets, mongooses, and jackals are also present. Smaller mammals include rock hyraxes, shrews, galagos, bats, hares, squirrels, and naked mole-rats. The sanctuary boasts 227 bird species, including the endemic Salvadori's seedeater. Threats to the sanctuary include habitat loss, poaching, illegal farming, ethnic conflicts, overgrazing, and deforestation, disrupting elephant migration patterns and causing human-elephant conflict. Seventy-five percent of the northwestern area has been converted to agriculture and grazing. Invasive plants like lantana flowers and kiawe shrubs pose environmental threats. Visitor accommodations are underdeveloped due to poor ...