Afework Simegn

Mammal and Avian Diversity: Abundance and Habitat in Alatish, Ethiopia Afework Simegn

Alatish means scarcity of water. Its name was derived from a temporary ditch through which water flows during wet season but dries during dry season. Owing to its spectacular wildlife specifically, large mammals such as Eland, Buffalo and Tora hartebeest, Altish used to be a hunting area for local people. Based on assessment on mammals and birds between 2004 and 2005, Alatish was upgraded to a National Park. Currently it is a transboundary national park Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority administers. The Semien Mountain national park is found in highland of north Gonder, Altish occurs on the lowland of north Gonder at the border to the Southern Sudan. African Elephant, African lion, African buffalo and Leopard were four of the big five mammals recorded in Alatish. Its bird?s diversity was high but small bird species were unstudied. The habitat in Alatish is astonishing as patterned with different species of Acacia woodlands which makes people get lost in it. Besides its wildlife, spectacular habitat, its honey bees, and honey (?Kasma mare?), wildlife meat and sweet grass attract local people and nomadic herdsmen to frequent in Altish Park. It is settlers free Park.