Babille Elephant Sanctuary

Babille Elephant Sanctuary

Babille Elephant Sanctuary is a protected area in east Ethiopia. It is 6,982 km2. The sanctuary embraces the valleys of the Erer, Daketa, Fafen, The Gobele and Borale rivers; Both are tributaries of Shebelle River.

The sanctuary elevations range from 1000 to 1750 meters above sea level, with the lowest elevations in the southern part of the protected area.

Large parts of the park’s lowlands have shrub and tree savannah, which is often very dense with both shrubs and cactus bushes. In the highlands, along with the slopes of the deep narrow valley, one often sees a very interesting dwarf Euphorbia (plant with milky juice), while the more commonly found Euphorbia trees grow native on the plateau of the reserve.

Babille Elephant Sanctuary is home to Africa’s most north-easterly population of elephants.

The sanctuary also provides refuge to thin populations of the localized black-maned Abyssinian lion and greyhound-like cheetah, along with various antelope (including greater and lesser kudu), endemic Salvadori’s Serin. It believed to have 300 elephants (2023 AD), the second largest Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia and suspected to be genetically distinct. Other mammals living in the park include the Hamadryas Baboon, Papio hamadryas, Menelik’s bushbuck, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, and greater and lesser kudu. The bird list of 227 species includes the endemic Salvadori’s serin. Of the reptiles, noteworthy are enormous tortoises and other animals.