Awash National Park

Coordinates: 9°08′33″N 40°0′0.00″E / 9.14250°N 40.0000000°E / 9.14250; 40.0000000
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Awash National Park
Adama (145 KM)
Coordinates9°08′33″N 40°0′0.00″E / 9.14250°N 40.0000000°E / 9.14250; 40.0000000
Area850 km2 (330 sq mi)
Established1966

Awash National Park is a

national park in Ethiopia. Located at the border of Oromia state and Afar state, the park covers an area of 827 square kilometers, most of it lies at an altitude of 900 meters. Spanning across the southern tip of the Afar Region and the northeastern corner of the East Shewa Zone of Oromia, this park is 225 kilometers east of Addis Ababa (and a few kilometers west of Awash and east of Metehara
).

The park is best known for its rich biodiversity and rural landscapes.[1]

the region is subject to a bimodal rainfall pattern a rainy season followed by a dominant dry season which can last up to 10 months .[2]

History

The Awash National Park was established in 1966, although the act authorizing its existence was not completely passed for another three years. In establishing this park, as well as the Metehara Sugar Plantation to the south, the livelihoods of the indigenous Karayyu Oromo people have been endangered — an effect that is contrary to the Ethiopian government's original intention of these establishments serving to benefit the local population.

Geography

Awash River located south of Awash National Park
The satellite view of Mount Fentale

Along with its southern boundary along the

hot springs amid groves of palm trees thrives at the river bed. The park is home to Mount Fentale, a dormant stratovolcano which is located in the western area of Awash National Park at an altitude of 2,007 meters above sea level.[3]

Ecology

Flora

The Filwoha biome habitat of Awash National Park

Awash national park's vegetation is classified into four ecosystems: arid

wetlands.[4] Doum palm trees and Desert date trees are found scattered across the Filwoha and Doha sites of Awash National Park which provides a suitable niche for all mammalian, avian, and reptilian species.[5]

The Hot spring lake near Doho Lodge resort.

Fauna

East African oryx in the national park

Mammals and Reptiles

Awash national park is home to more than 81 species of mammals and 43 species of reptiles.

Cape buffalo
were once presented since the 1960s but were now extirpated because of hunting, population decline, and habitat loss.

monitors are frequently diverse in arid scrublands and riverine wetlands.[10]

Avifauna

The park also contains 453 species of native birds which includes

Wattled Ibis (Bostrychia Carunculata), Black-winged lovebird (Agapornis Taranta), Banded barbet (Lybiusun Datus), Yellow-throated seedeater (Crithagra Flavigula), Abyssinian woodpecker (Dendropicos Abyssinicus), White-billed starling (Onychognathus Albirostris), and Thick-billed raven (Corvus Crassirostris) are 7 endemic species that are compromised within the park's biodiversity.[11][12][13]

See also

  • Oromia Region

Notes

  1. ^ Getahun, Binayew & Yeshanew, Yiheyis. (2016). Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus. “Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus”.. 2. 2455-2070.
  2. ^ "Awash National Park, a wonder in the heart of Ethiopia". Salva Fauna (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  3. ^ Getahun, Binayew & Yeshanew, Yiheyis. (2016). Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus. “Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus”.. 2. 2455-2070.
  4. ^ Getahun, Binayew & Yeshanew, Yiheyis. (2016). Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus. “Sustainable ecotourism potentials and its challenges in Ethiopia: The Awash National Park in Focus”.. 2. 2455-2070.
  5. ^ Schreier, Amy & Swedell, Larissa. (2008). Use of palm trees as a sleeping site for Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in Ethiopia. American journal of primatology. 70. 107-13. 10.1002/ajp.20465.
  6. ^ C. Michael Hogan. 2009
  7. ^ A Glimpse at Biodiversity Hotspots of Ethiopia (PDF). Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society. p. 45-46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-16.
  8. ^ Seware, Belay. (2015). AWASH NATIONAL PARK: ITS DEGRADATION STATUS AND PROTECTION MEASURES. PJ PALGO JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 2. 57 – 66.
  9. ^ Temesgen, F., & Warkineh, B. (2018). Biodiversity Status & conservation challenges of Protected Areas of Ethiopia: Awash & Nechsar National Parks in Focus. Biodiversity Status & conservation challenges of Protected Areas of Ethiopia: Awash & Nechsar National Parks in Focus. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234657721.pdf
  10. ^ : Benedetto Lanza (1972) THE REPTILES OF THE AWASH NATIONAL PARK (SHOA, ETHIOPIA), Monitore Zoologico Italiano. Supplemento, 4:1, 159-184, DOI: 10.1080/03749444.1972.10736778
  11. ^ C. Michael Hogan. 2009
  12. ^ A Glimpse at Biodiversity Hotspots of Ethiopia (PDF). Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society. p. 45-46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-16.
  13. ^ Seware, Belay. (2015). AWASH NATIONAL PARK: ITS DEGRADATION STATUS AND PROTECTION MEASURES. PJ PALGO JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 2. 57 – 66.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Awash National Park.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Awash National Park.
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