Animal Biodiversity Research

The mission of the lead executive office

The mission of the Animal Biodiversity Research Lead Executive Office is to work with many stakeholders to study the animal diversity of the country, and its conservation (with both in-situ and ex-situ conservation techniques) to ensure sustainable use.

The Main functions and responsibilities

  • Conduct characterization and economic valuation studies;
  • Conduct a study to determine the status and distribution of species and breeds;
  • Identify and prioritize threatened species and breeds, and conserve them in-situ;
  • Identify and prioritize threatened species and breeds, and conserve them ex-situ;
  • Collect/analyze data, publish and disseminate research articles;
  • Prepare and disseminate manuals, directives, and catalogs used for conservation, sustainable utilization of resources, and capacity building;
  • Monitoring and evaluating the work of conservation and sustainable utilization, and learning and compiling best practices;
  • Increase the contribution of stakeholders’ biodiversity conservation by building their awareness and capacity;
  • Strengthen and increase gender participation in the sector;

The Animal Biodiversity Research Lead Executive Office is composed of the aquatic, wild and domestic case teams. These case teams are working to enhance in-situ and ex-situ conservation, sustainable utilization of resources, and research and extension works of the lead executive office. This organization has been upgraded to biodiversity centers, distributed into different parts of the country, and although currently incomplete, it is designed to have more than 60 researchers in it. Currently, 42 researchers are working in the lead executive office both in the Head Office and Biodiversity Centers.

Ethiopian Wild Fauna Checklist

Ethiopian Birds checklist
Endemic Birds of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Reptiles Checklist
Endemic Reptiles of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Mammals Checklist
Endemic Mammals of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Lepidoptera checklist
Endemic Lepidoptera of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Fish Checklist
Endemic Fish of Ethiopia
Ethiopian Amphibians checklist
Endemic Amphibians of Ethiopia

Ethiopian Domestic Animals Breed List

Domestic Animal Species and Breed Diversity

 Published articles:

  1. Tujuba TF., Hausmann A. and Sciarretta A. (2020). Revision of the genus Orbamia Herbulot, 1966 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Cassymini) with description of two new genus, ten new species and two subspecies for science. ZooKeys, 929: 53–77.
  2. Tujuba TF., Sciarretta A., Hausmann A. and Abate GA. (2019). Lepidoptera of Ethiopia: current knowledge and future perspectives. Zookeys, 882: 87–125.
  3. Tesfu Tujuba and Andrea Sciarretta (2019). The current state of Lepidoptera biodiversity in Ethiopia. Abstracts of XXI European Congress of Lepidopterology: 128.
  4. Tesfu F.,Weldmariam T. and Asresie M. (2018). Impact of Human activities on Biosphere Reserve: A case study from Yayu Biosphere Reserve, SW Ethiopia. Intern. J. Biodiv. Conserv.10(7): 319-326
  5. Amare Gibru, Yihew Biru, Zelalem Temesgen, and Kebebew Hunde (2021). A Preliminary Checklist of Birds for the Fura and Furagosa Community Based Wildlife Conservation Area, in Mirab-Abaya District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Short Communications. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 4(4): 395-398.
  6. Mengistu Wale, Abeje Kassie and Tesfu Fekensa (2016). Assessment of naked mole – rat distribution and threats in Eastern Ethiopia. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 4(8): 655-658.
  7. Mengistu Wale (2016). The Walia Ibex (Capra walie). Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species 1-5.
  8. Mengistu Wale, Abeje Kassie, Getachew Mulualem, Weldemariam Tesfahunegny, Abraham Assefa (2017). Wildlife Threats and Their Relative Severity of Eastern Ethiopia Protected Areas. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2(4): 59-67.
  9. Mengistu Wale, Abeje Kassie, Weldemariam Tesfahunegny and Gebregziabher Hailay (2018). Wild Animal Status and their Threats in Echefa Forest and Wetland (Proposed In-situ Conservation Site), Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Regional States, Ethiopia. Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species 6(3): 1-5.
  10. Weldemariam Tesfahunegny, Demeke Datiko, Mengistu Wale, Gebre Egziabeher Hailay and Tadesse Hunduma (2020). Impact of wind energy development on birds and bats: the case of Adama wind farm, Central Ethiopia. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology 81:41
  11. Goutte, S., Reyes-velasco, J., Freilich, X., Kassie, A., & Boissinot, S. (2021). Taxonomic revision of grass frogs ( Ptychadenidae , Ptychadena ) endemic to the Ethiopian highlands. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.
  12. Kassie, A., & Bekele, A. (2020). Diversity , Distribution , and Habitat of Herpetofauna Around Gambella Zuria District , West Ethiopia. International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences; 5(2), 68–78.
  13. Kassie, A. (2020). Attitude , beliefs and perception of people towards amphibian conservation around chefa wetland , Oromo zone , Amhara regional state, North east Ethiopia. International Journal of Zoology Studies ;5(2), 1–4.
  14. Foquet, ,  Kassie,  A.,  De  Beenhouwer  M.  (2019).  Express  Biodiversity  Survey  in  Gura-Ferda  Forest,  Ethiopia. BINCO Express Report 8. Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation. Glabbeek, Belgium, 24 pp.
  15. Abeje Kassie (2016). Distribution and species richness of amphibians in Awi zone and Wombera
  16. District, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of zoology studies; 3(4): 01-06
  17. Melak A, Hailu A, Assefa A, Aseged T, Sinkie S, Tsion S. (2021). Characterization of the production system and breeding practices of sheep producers in Tahtay Maychew District, Northern Ethiopia. Intl J Trop Drylands 1: 5-12.
  18. Hailu, A., Mustefa, A., Aseged, T., Assefa, A., Sinkie, S., Tsewene, S (2020). Phenotypic characterization of sheep populations’ in Tahtay Maichew district, Northern Ethiopia.GeneticResources1 (2), 12–22.doi:10.46265/genresj. SHBD3744.
  19. Abebe Hailu, Abraham Assefa, Tesfalem Aseged, Tesfaye Getachew, Tekleweld Belayhun, Sebile Sinke and Ashenafei Getachew (2018a). Morphometric Characteristic of Domesticated Local Ducks in Gembela and Benishangul Gumuz Region of South West and North-West Ethiopia.  Innov. Res. Adv. Stud. 5(4) 2394-4404.
  20. Abebe Hailu, Manaye Misganaw, Abraham Assefa, Tesfaye Getachew, Tesfalem Aseged, Fassil Getachew and Solomon Abegaz (2018). Multivariate analysis of phenotypic and farming system characterization of indigenous chicken populations on-farm in Guji Zone, Ethiopia. Int. J. Curr. Res.10, 69947–69956.
  21. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Tesfalem Aseged, Misikire Tessema and Abraham Assefa (2017). Beneficiaries’ willingness to pay for the conservation of Meteka wetland in Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia. WSN77, 326–336.
  22. Abebe Hailu, Abraham Assefa, Tesfalem Aseged, Tesfaye Getache, Tekleweld Belayhun, Sebile Sinke and Ashenafei Getachew (2018b). Characterization of Village Duck Production Systems in Gambela and Benishangul Gumuz National Regional States of South West and North-West Ethiopia.  Innov. Res. Adv. Stud. 5(8) 2394-4404.
  23. Mustefa A, Belayhun T, Melak A, Hayelom M, Hailu A and Assefa A (2020a). Body morphometric measurements in Harmo cattle (Raya-Azebo cattle) in Southern Tigray of Ethiopia.Online J. Anim. Feed Res.,10(6): 259-267.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2020.35
  24. Mustefa A, Belayhun T, Melak A, Hayelom M, Hailu A and Assefa A ()2020b). Phenotypic characterization of Raya cattle in northern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 53(1) DOI: 1007/s11250-020-02486-1
  25. Melak A, Belayhun T, Kefyalew E, Hailu A, Mustefa A, Assefa A. 2020. Farmers’ willingness to pay for Sinar donkey conservation in selected districts of Metekel and Assosa zones, northwest Ethiopia: a contingent valuation study. Biodiversitas 21: 3373-3379.
  26. Mustefa A, Assefa A, Misganaw M, Getachew F, Abegaz S, Hailu A and Emshaw Y (2020). Phenotypic characterization of donkeys in Benishangul Gumuz National Regional State. Online J. Anim. Feed Res.,10(1): 25-35.www.ojafr.ir
  27. Fasil Getachew, Abraham Assefa et al 2020. On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Begaria Cattle Population and Their Production System in Guba District, North Western Ethiopia. EJAB.
  28. Berhan Asmamaw, Demeke Datiko, Misikire Tessema, Abraham Assefa and Arvind Chavhan (2020) Trends of Climate Change and Perception of Local Fishermen around Lake Chamo, Ethiopia. Int. J. of Life Sciences, 2020; 8 (4):743- 750.
  29. Tessema M, Shitaw T, Beyene B, Asmamaw A., Assefa A. Assessment of the status of lake afdera in the danakil depression; afar, Ethiopia. Forest Res Eng Int J. 2020; 4(1):10?15. DOI: 10.15406/freij.2020.04.00094
  30. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Misikire Tessema, Abraham Assefa. Length-weight relationships and condition factor of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cichlidae) in Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research. Volume 4; Issue 1; January 2019; Page No. 47-51
  31. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Misikire Tessema, Abraham Assefa. The Impact of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Fisheries of Lake Logo, South Wello, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Vol. 6, No. 3, 2018, pp. 45-55.
  32. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Demeke Datiko, Misikire Tessema, Abraham Assefa. Willingness to Pay for the Conservation of Lake Chamo Ecosystem, Ethiopia. American Journal of Business, Economics and Management. Vol. 6, No. 3, 2018, pp. 75-81
  33. Giorgio Chiozzi, Melanie L. J. Stiassny, S. Elizabeth Alter, Giuseppe De Marchi, Yohannes Mebrahtu, Misikire Tessema, Berhan Asmamaw, Mauro Fasola &Adriana Bellati (2017): Fishes in the desert: mitochondrial variation and phylogeography of Danakilia (Actinopterygii: Cichlidae) and Aphanius (Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontidae) in the Danakil Depression of northeastern Africa, Mitochondrial DNA Part A, DOI:10.1080/24701394.2017.1404043
  34. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Tesfalem Aseged, Misikire Tessema, Abraham Assefa. Beneficiaries’ willingness to pay for the conservation of Meteka wetland in Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia WSN 77(2) (2017) 326-336
  35. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Misikire Tessema. Assessment of Natural Resources in Ketech Watershed, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Economics. Vol. 2, No. 1, 2017, pp. 1-8.doi: 10.11648/j.ijae.20170201.11
  36. Berhan Asmamaw, Birhanu Beyene, Misikire Tessema, Afework Kara, Biniam Goshu, Abraham Assefa. Estimating Willingness to Pay for Labeobarbus Fish Species Conservation in Lake Tana, Ethiopia: A Contingent Valuation Study. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Vol.1, No. 4, 2016, pp. 155-161. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160104.12

Articles in progress:

  1. Tesfalem Aseged, Abebe Hailu, Abraham Assefa, Tesfaye Getachew, Manaye Misganaw, Seble Sinke, Fasil Getachew, Solomon Abegaz. (2021). Goat Breeding Practice and Production Constraints in Boset And Minjar Shenkora Districts of Ethiopia accepted by Genetics and Biodiversity Journal, Vol. 5
  2. Production system and breeding practice of indigenous chicken Dawro zone.
  3. Phenotypic characterization of Gesha horse.
  4. Phenotypic characterization of Ruthana Sheep.
  5. Morphological characterization of Boset and Minjare Shenkora goat.
  6. Morphological characterization of Dawuro chicken.
  7. Breeding objective identification and breeding program designation of Begaria Cattle breed
  8. Post-Harvest Loss of Fish and Its Impacts on Biodiversity at Alwero reservoir in Abobo, Gambella, Ethiopia
  9. The Contribution of Fisheries to Livelihoods of Communities around Alwero Reservoir in Abobo, Gambela, Ethiopia
  10. Evaluating Household’s Willingness to Pay for Catfish Species Conservation in Lake Hawassa, Sidama National Region State, Ethiopia
  11. Morphometric Variations of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cichlidae) Collected from three Rift Valley Lakes in Ethiopia
  12. Impacts of anthropogenic activities on the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates along the Beressa and Holeta Rivers, Ethiopia (2013).
  13. The effect of season on the concentration of nutrients in the three highland lakes of Ethiopia
  14. Effect of water hyacinth on water quality, fish production, composition and diversity of macro invertebrates in Ethiopian rift valley basin (lake Ziway and Koka reservoir)
  15. Length-weight relationships and condition factor of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus(Linnaeus, 1758) (Cichlidae) in Lake Ziway, Ethiopi