Born Free educates Ethiopian military on illegal wildlife trade
The workshop helped 167 graduates understand the threats of the illegal wildlife trade and how to prevent it. Ayano Urgecha, Born Free’s Community Engagement Officer in Ethiopia, led the training.
Bereket Girma, Country Director, speaking at the military workshop
Our country, Ethiopia, is rich in natural resources. One of which is, of course, its wildlife. Although wildlife can be of great benefit to a country, conservation results can only be obtained if wildlife is given the necessary care.
Ayano Urgecha, Community Engagement Officer (Ethiopia)
One of the biggest problems related to wildlife in Ethiopia, and globally, is the illegal trade. To reduce this threat, Born Free works to create awareness in and around our rescue center, Ensessa Kotteh.
As part of Born Free’s community outreach and education work, in partnership with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, the Born Free team visited Major General Mulugeta Buli Polytechnic College, a military training college near Holeta, on Saturday the 1st of November to speak to their graduates.
During the workshop, we trained 167 military students (army), following on from a successful training held in 2024. When these students graduate, they will be deployed to different parts of the country to play their role in maintaining peace in the country. In addition, they will also play an important role in protecting natural resources and preventing illegal trade.
The main objectives of the workshop are:
- To introduce Born Free and our mission and vision.
- To enable the students to play their role in preventing illegal trade and gain a deeper understanding when they are engaged in community security issues in different parts of the country.
- To gain greater knowledge about methods used by people conducting illegal trade and to gain experience.
- To support the relevant government authorities.
In general, it is very important to provide training to these military institutions as they are an important part of society, especially when it comes to maintaining public security and protecting national resources. This is just one of four institutions we aim to reach over the coming months, to increase awareness of issues relating to the illegal wildlife trade.
Participants at the military workshop
The challenges are extensive, but with increased awareness, greater focus from and time dedicated by the authorities, and the tools and knowledge to implement the country’s laws, we can all help to address these.
However, it is not only the military graduates that have a role to play in preventing this illegal trade. It is important that everyone knows about it, and this is something that all communities both within the military and outside it can play a role in. This training therefore also aims to strengthen and reinforce the wider community’s understanding of natural resources, especially wildlife, through the students we interact with.
Wild animals, like other creatures, need care and should be preserved in their habitats, not in human hands.