332 Biological Conservation

conservationists see the proposed Conference as a wonderful opportunity to set the targets and establish the mechanism for improvement of the standard of nature conservation throughout the country.

J. G. MOSLEY, Assistant Director, Australian Conservation Foundation, P.O. Box 804, Canberra City, A.C.T., Australia.

MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF FRESHWATER FISH

IN THE BRITISH ISLES

The project to map the distributions of all species of freshwater fish within the British Isles started at the beginning of 1967 and is now in full progress. It is being organized by the undersigned, while the pro- cessing of information and the production of maps is directed by Dr F. H. Perring. From time to time there are meetings of an advisory panel from different parts of the British Isles, who discuss the results and pro- gress of the project.

The aim of this survey is to collect as much detailed information as possible on the occurrence and distri- bution of freshwater fish over the whole of the British Isles. The basis of presenting the results of the scheme is to indicate by means of a symbol the presence of each species in every 10-kilometre square in which it occurs, thus producing a distribution map of each. Much of the British Isles being covered by the National Grid of the Ordnance Survey, the 10-kilometre squares of this grid are generally felt to be about the right size for a survey of this nature.

The information on the distribution of fish species in any particular locality is recorded on cards of a standard size, which, after processing, can be auto- matically sorted in various ways to produce the required maps or other relevant information. There are two types of standard card available:

1. The Individual Record Card, which, as its name implies, records one species from one place.

2. The Regional Record Card, which can be used for all the species involved in the survey as they occur either in a single specific locality or in any one 10-kilometre square.

In drawing up this Regional Record Card, con- siderable attention has been paid to the list of species concerned and to the problems of their identification. The total number of fish species occuring in fresh and to some extent in brackish waters in the British Isles is about 50, and most of these are listed specifically on

this card. There is also space on the back of the card to record other species and hybrids--which are, of course, especially common among the cyprinids. With regard to identification, the species have been divided into three categories: (!) The majority, which are relatively easy to identify and of which it is accordingly possible to accept records without special verification; Perch, Pike, etc., are examples of this type. (2) Species that are rather more difficult to identify and must be seen by someone who is used to handling fish and identifying them competently. (3) Some species which are either so rare or so difficult to identify that speci- mens must be produced for each new record and examined and verified by a competent ichthyologist.

A considerable amount of help is still required in furthering this interesting scheme. For instance, there are no records at all from many parts of the country-- e.g. most of the north and west of Scotland, and especially many of the islands there. However, even very common species, and particularly those that are not caught by anglers (e.g. Minnows and Sticklebacks), are not yet recorded from many parts of England and Wales. Many records are needed, too, from parts of Ireland. Anyone who is willing to help in the scheme should contact the undersigned, who will be very pleased to supply full details of the recording system.

PETER S. MAITLAND, The Nature Conservancy, 12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh 9, Scotland.

ETHIOPIA'S WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Ethiopia, containing the largest, most varied, and most spectacular, mountain massif on the African continent, possesses not only unrivalled scenic attrac- tions but a wide variety of fauna and habitats. About forty-five species of ungulates, large and small, occur in Ethiopia, and of these no fewer than eight are con- fined to Somalia and Ethiopia. Four species of large mammals, the Walia lbex(Capra walie),* the Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), the Gelada Monkey (Theropithecus gelada), and the Semien Fox (Simenia simensis), occur only in the highlands of Ethiopia. With such a variety of scenic and faunal attractions, there is an urgent need on Ethiopia's part to conserve them, and at the same time to develop what could be unrivalled tourist attractions.

However, as yet wildlife conservation is in its infancy in Ethiopia. The country lacks any effective wildlife

Conservation Around the Worm 333

legislation, and has no National Parks that are legally established and acceptable according to international standards. It is to be hoped that the necessary steps will be taken in the near future to develop the country's unique assets, and, in particular, to safeguard for all time the habitats and fauna and flora that are found only in Ethiopia.

Under a three-year Wildlife Development Plan, prepared in 1965 by the writer and 1. R. Grimwood, as UNESCO Wildlife Consultants, three areas are at present being developed towards National Park status. They are the proposed Awash National Park near Metahara, the Semien escarpment*, and a tract of wild country in the lower Omo Valley. In addition, recommendations for further parks and reserves in the Bale Mountains, the Danakil Desert near Tendaho, the lakes of the Rift Valley, and a refuge for Swayne's Hartebeest (AIcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) near Lake Shamo, have been put forward, together with a com- prehensive set of new wildlife and National Parks legislation proposals. These are the recommended early developments, and deal only with the most urgent problems; much more remains to be done in the future.

The proposed Awash or Metahara National Park lies in the Rift Valley and has its centre about 200 km north-east of Addis Ababa. It includes a tract of semi- arid Acacia savanna between the Awash River and its tributary the Kessem River. The main physical feature is the spectacular and still gently active volcano Fantale, rising to over 2000 metres. The area contains no unique mammals, but supports healthy populations of Oryx (Oryx gazella beisa), Soemmering's Gazelle (Gazella soemmeringi), Waterbuck (Kobus defassa), and Greater and Lesser Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsieeros and T. imberbis), which are all more easily observed here in relatively open country than almost anywhere else in Africa. Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) visit the area of the proposed National Park and may become permanent residents, while the slopes and caldera (crater) of Fantale support about 400 Mountain Reedbuck (Redunea fuh,orufula, possibly of an un- described race), which is another animal that is difficult to see so well elsewhere. Other animals such as Lion ( Panthera leo), Leopard ( P. pardus), Cheetah ( A einonyx ./ubatus), and hyenas (Crocuta croeuta and Hyaena hyaena), are less often seen, but Olive and Hamadryas Baboons (Papio anubis and P. hamadryas) are abun- dant. About four hundred species of birds have been indentified in the Park and its environs, including spectacular colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops

* See next contribution in this issue. It is hoped to publish a detailed account of the conservation situation in Ethiopia, including a map showing the areas of the proposed national parks and reserves, in a future issue.--Ed.

nubicus), while both the local species of flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber and P. minor) occur in consider- able numbers on nearby Lake Basaaka.

In the past this area has been heavily inhabited and grossly overgrazed by Danakil and Kereyu tribesmen and their stock. These people were removed in 1967 to alternative areas, but continually return, and it is no easy matter for a warden with inadequate legal and administrative backing to deal with such warlike people. Since 1967, the recovery of the grass cover has been spectacular, but the situation will remain precarious until the boundaries of the park are affec- tively and accurately proclaimed and gazetted--and respected by the local people.

The Semien Massif contains without exception the most spectacular rock and mountain scenery in Africa.t It is also of crucial importance for mammal conser- vation, for here occur three of Ethiopia's unique large mammals: the Walia Ibex, the Semien Fox, and the Gelada Monkey. The area proposed as a park includes about 125 sq km of the main escarpment--a huge cliff 1000-1500 m high, riven into gigantic buttresses and spires of spectacular form, and mani- festly completely unsuited to human occupation in any form. This unique area is being steadily encroached upon, however, by agriculturists, pastoralists, and woodcutters--hard-pressed themselves because of present and past destruction of the country round about, but who cannot possibly be significantly aided by the destruction of the remaining wild habitat. The Walia Ibex, according to a recent survey by Dr B. Nievergelt,~ is reduced to not more than 150 individ- uals, and the Semien Fox is also endangered. Even so, the Walia are surprisingly easy to see on the giant cliffs, while the great troops of Gelada Monkeys are one of the main wildlife attractions of the proposed National Park. Lammergeiers (Gypaetus barbatus), here common scavengers, are the most spectacular of the birds, but it is the scenery that is breathtaking in its magnificence.

The Omo Valley in the south-west corner of Ethiopia is a tract of wild uninhabited savanna supporting a typical Sudanese lowland fauna, including Buffalo (Syncerus eaffer), Eland (Taurotragus oryx), Tiang ( Damaliscus korrigum tiang), Lelwel Hartebeest (Bubalus aleelaphus lelwel), Waterbuck, Oryx, Grant's Gazelle (Gazella granti), Lesser Kudu, and Common Zebra (Equus burchelli). Lion are common, as are Leopard, and Elephant (Loxodonta afrieana) pass through and may become resident if encouraged. There are a few Giraffe (Giraffa c. camelopardalis), and tracks

t See the next contribution, Fig. 3.--Ed.

~; See next contribution.--Ed.

334 Biological Conservation

of Rhinoceros (Diceros bicorn&) have been seen. Most of the large ungulates, especially spectacular concen- trations of Eland, are migratory, perhaps from the Sudan, though their movements are not understood. Given adequate protection it is hoped that these mammal populations may become more permanent residents.

The area of the proposed Omo National Park includes tracts of Acacia and Terminalia savanna, open grass plains, and densely-bushed river valleys. It is hot, low-lying, infested with tsetse-fly, and har- bours malaria and other diseases, so that it is still almost completely uninhabited--though Surma poachers have infiltrated in some numbers in the last year. Much still remains to be done to develop this area until it becomes a tourist attraction; at present it is inaccessible except by air, is without accommo- dation, and is strictly a place for the self-sufficient. But the Omo Valley has a special quality of remote- ness; one feels that not only is Man not there in any significant numbers, but that he never has been there. This quality will, in time, attract many visitors who are tired of the beaten track of better-known parks. However, Ethiopia, whose Goverment specially desired that this area should be included in the Wildlife Development Plan, must face a period of steady effort and development before the Omo Valley can even be regarded as an effective game reserve.

One other possible National Park is of crucial conservation importance, namely that proposed for the Bale Mountains, to safeguard the future of the Mountain Nyala--the last, and one of the most spectacular, of African antelopes to be discovered. The range of this species has been drastically reduced in the last thirty years, but there are still large tracts of unspoiled and virtually uninhabited mountain country in the Mendebo-Araenna mountains of Bale wherein the future of the Mountain Nyala could be permanently assured. The area of the Rift Valley lakes, only 200-250 km from Addis Ababa, with spectacular aggregations of birds typical of fresh and alkaline waters--particularly of Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus)--and large wintering popu- lations of Palearctic ducks, is also a natural one for the development of bird sanctuaries and parks. A small scenic and recreational park is proposed for the area immediately around Tisisat Falls on the Blue Nile; and there are many other proposals, needing only funds and initiative to bring them into being.

To date, progress on the provisions of the 1965 Wildlife Development Plan has been disappointingly slow. But if these proposals, as is hoped, are soon implimented, and if Ethiopia vigorously tackles a further phase of wildlife development, she will not only have prepared a set of tourist attractions that

will be unioue in variety and interest, and from which she cannot fail to benefit, but she will have fulfilled her obligations as world trustee for her own unique mammal and other species, and meanwhile protected a good sample of commoner species too. Yet time is of the essence, and to date there is depressingly little sign that effective action will be taken before it is too late. Accordingly it is gratifying to note the personal representations that are being made to H.I.M. Haile Selassie I and his Government by, among others, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (in the latter case as President of the World Wildlife Fund).

LESLIE H. BROWN, Visiting Research Professor, Haile Selassie I University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Box 24916, Karen, Kenya

LE BOUQUETIN D'I~THIOPIE GRAVEMENT MENACI~

Le Bouquetin des montagnes d'l~thiopie* (propre- ment dit le Bouquetin d'Abyssinie, Figs l e t 2), proche parent de celui de nos Alpes, 6tait d6jfi con- sid6r6 comme rare et menac6 dans son existence, sa

Fig. I. Bouquetin d'Abyssinie. Photo: Dr Bernard Nievergelt/WWF.

population totale &ant estim6e fi quelques centaines d'individus seulement. C'est en raison de cette situa- tion que le Fonds National Suisse, la Fondation Suisse pour les Explorations Alpines et le Fonds Mondial

* Ethiopian Mountain or Walia Ibex, Capra walie Rtippell, 1835.--Ed.