James Young departs Ethiopia and hands over to Stephen Brend
The rains continue to hinder progress with the perimeter fence at the Wildlife Rescue Centre site, however the perimeter of the site is now half fenced. Since some of the boundary runs through thick thorn bush at nearly a one-on-one gradient and the ground is waterlogged due to the torrential rain, it is truly amazing that Bereket and his team of contract labourers have managed to progress as far with the perimeter fence.
Goats and cattle are now well and truly fenced out, but for the lower 1.2 metres of plain fence wire allow wildlife to squeeze through without any injury. To deter members of the public from crossing the fence, we have fixed signs at 50 metre intervals in Amharic and English explaining that the site contains dangerous wild animals. We included an image of a hyena because in Ethiopia, many people fear the spotted hyena more than almost any other animal. (Thanks to Ethiopian graphic designer, Robel Dub for his help with the artwork for the sign.)
At the main entrance of the site we have recycled two metal gates and have started to construct a guard house using traditional wood, mud and thatch. Seemingly oblivious of the cold weather and rain, local farmers made the mud, water and thatch mix for the walls using bare feet as if crushing grapes in a French vineyard. The outer mud walls will be finished once the inside mud walls have completely dried.
We have introduced the local community to round windows, taking inspiration from the sub soil and thatch (cob) buildings in Devon created by Jackie Abey and Jill Smallcombe.
Having completed a challenging three years establishing the regional office of Born Free Foundation Ethiopia and finalising the land agreement for the new Centre , I have decided that its time to take a break from Ethiopia for a while, and have handed over to Stephen Brend, who will be the new Project Director.
Stephen travelled out to Ethiopia late August. Alison Hood and Andrina Murrell from Born Free Foundation UK also visited Ethiopia to complete the detailed hand over and run through the priorities for the first phase of animal enclosure construction.
Now the land is secured and it won’t be long before the perimeter fence is completed, it is essential that new enclosures are built for the Dolo and Italian lions. We hope that Dolo and Safia will share an enclosure as Safia is rapidly outgrowing her temporary home. Safia is now 18 months old.
On Saturday, 28th August we held a ‘farewell and welcome’ staff lunch at the site. ‘Farewell’ and thanks from me to the Born Free Foundation Ethiopia team and ‘welcome’ to Stephen Brend, the new Project Director.
All full time staff and their husbands/wives and children were invited as well as the contract labourers who have worked so hard to build the enclosure for the cheetahs, the perimeter fence and entrance gates. Incredibly, the rains held off and the sun came out as Yeneneh Leta from our project partner, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, gave an introductory speech in Amharic that updated everyone on the project.
His speech ensures that all the families that live around the site really understand what we are doing with the site. When Yeneneh explained that Born Free Foundation is helping set up the Wildlife Rescue Centre for the benefit of all Ethiopians, he was greeted by a spontaneous round of applause.
I was very touched by the gifts and flowers presented by the staff and contract labourers. Thank you all, I could not have achieved anything without you.
Especial thanks to Bereket Girma, BFFE Construction Supervisor, who provided such invaluable assistance as I set up Born Free Foundation Ethiopia. Since resolving all the land issues, Bereket has recruited and motivated the team of local contract labourers to get the site infrastructure where it is today.
Thanks to Born Free Foundation for entrusting me to set up the regional office and get the project started.
I said my goodbyes to the cats and removed a few last ticks from behind Menelik’s ears.
It’s been an extraordinary three years and a lot has been achieved: Born Free Foundation is now formally registered and a well respected NGO in Ethiopia and not only do we have the 77 hectare site agreement, and all the land issues resolved, but also an agreement to include the neighbouring 25 hectares of Forest Research Centre forest as well as a section of the Old Ambo road. A temporary site office and tented camp are in place, BFFE has rescued and is providing lifetime care for four lions, two cheetah and an eagle owl already, although the rescue centre and veterinary clinic have not even been constructed. The perimeter fence construction and main entrance gate and guard house are in progress and the master plan for the entire site almost completed. Neither the UK Born Free team nor I ever expected it would take as long to get to where we are, but all credit to Born Free Foundation and key donors for sticking with the project. At last, the main enclosure and building construction can really begin in earnest.
I will stay involved in the site development and hope all the readers will also continue to support this incredibly worthwhile and exciting project. As always, all donations really appreciated.
Best wishes to the entire BFFE team, and good luck to Stephen.
James
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