Federal Audit Exposes 1,000 Percent Encroachment Spike in Babile Sanctuary

A performance audit conducted by the Office of the Federal Auditor General (OFAG) has uncovered widespread and severe failures in Ethiopia's national wildlife conservation management. The audit focused on evaluating the operations and oversight of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA). A key highlight of the report is the alarming 1,000 percent surge in illegal human settlements and livestock encroachment within the Babile Elephant Sanctuary. Furthermore, the audit identified critical shortcomings in the monitoring of wildlife species and significant gaps in law enforcement inside protected areas. The findings underscore urgent systemic challenges facing the protection of endangered habitats and natural ecosystems in the country.