13/10/2026
Ethiopia Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation at International MIKE Workshop
October 13, 2026
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening wildlife monitoring systems, combating illegal wildlife trade, and advancing international cooperation for the conservation of African lions, rhinoceroses, leopards, and other threatened wildlife species.
The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, in collaboration with MIKE and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is co-hosting an international Range State Workshop in Addis Ababa from October 12–14, 2026, to discuss strengthening wildlife monitoring, reporting, and conservation mechanisms across Africa.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Kumera Wakjira, Director General of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, emphasized that Ethiopia is endowed with rich biodiversity and unique wildlife resources that are essential to ecological balance, sustainable tourism, and the country’s natural heritage. However, he noted that these valuable resources face increasing threats from habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade.
He underscored the importance of strong institutions, reliable scientific information, effective monitoring systems, and close national, regional, and international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
The Director General highlighted the critical role of CITES in regulating international trade in wild animals and plants and strengthening global efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. He also emphasized the contribution of the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Program, which has monitored illegal elephant killing across Africa, providing essential information to guide evidence-based conservation policies and law enforcement interventions.
He reaffirmed EWCA’s commitment to working closely with CITES and national and international partners to strengthen monitoring systems, improve conservation data, combat illegal wildlife trade, and protect Ethiopia’s rich wildlife resources for present and future generations.
The workshop focuses on three key priorities: exploring the feasibility of expanding MIKE-style monitoring to African lions, strengthening national-level rhinoceros reporting in line with relevant CITES resolutions and decisions, and improving regional management, reporting, and monitoring mechanisms for leopards.
Participants are also discussing the potential integration of lion monitoring with the African Lion Database managed by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, the identification of priority pilot sites, and appropriate arrangements for data governance and the participation of African lion range States.
The workshop provides an important platform for knowledge exchange, technical collaboration, and the development of practical recommendations to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts and promote the long-term survival of Africa’s threatened species.