Swaynes hartebeest

A small group of Swaynes hartebeest in the Senkele Wildlife sanctuary

Last time I heard they had almost been extirpated from the place …

How many left?

The original herd numbered several thousands, but that was in the times of Haile Selassie. The latest estimates I have heard are about 500 to 700 individuals in Senkele, which is slightly higher than 20 years ago, additionally there should still be some left in Yabello Sanctuary and Nechisar NP.

The reserve is very small though (5500 hectares) and hartebeest are very easily found. But the reserve is completely enclosed by farm land and these farmers would love to take the sanctuary as well for farmland.... During the recent unrests the park buildings have been put on fire (this was in about March) so almost everything is lost and nothing had been restored when I visited in July. All in all this park and the hartebeest are under very high pressure and given the conservation record of the Ethiopian government, this (sub)species might very well go extinct soon if nothing happens....