In February 2025, representatives of the Ethiopian side, Safari Park Dvůr Králové, and the Research Institute for Gene Pool Conservation signed a memorandum focused on the protection of endangered species in Ethiopia. This memorandum aims to facilitate cooperation in wildlife conservation, research, and conservation education in Ethiopia’s protected areas, while also opening space for joint initiatives between Ethiopian and Czech partners. The species explicitly highlighted in this cooperation include the blue-winged goose and the Nile Lechwe. 

The Nile Lechwe (Kobus Megaceros) is an endangered wetland antelope native to South Sudan and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, it survives only in a very limited area, especially in and around Gambella National Park, making it a species of high conservation concern. Public statements by Safari Park Dvůr Králové indicate that the first phase of the joint project is focused on monitoring wild populations, estimating their numbers as accurately as possible, and better understanding their behavior in their natural habitat. The Czech side contributes to this cooperation not only through field expertise and institutional partnerships, but also through research support. The Research Institute for Gene Pool Conservation (VIOG) is a Czech public research institution specializing in biodiversity protection, gene pool conservation, and research on endangered species both in situ and ex situ. Its long-term mission is closely aligned with the conservation goals of the Ethiopia cooperation framework. As part of its support for this ongoing project, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Addis Ababa is assisting with the logistical arrangements surrounding the transfer of biological samples related to the Nile lechwe research effort to the Czech Republic for scientific analysis in cooperation with VIOG and Safari Park Dvůr Králové. This practical assistance helps connect field conservation work in Ethiopia with Czech scientific capacity and strengthens the broader implementation of the memorandum. 

logo Gambella National Park

This cooperation is a good example of how Czech institutions can combine conservation know-how, applied research, and international partnership in support of endangered species directly in their natural range. It also demonstrates that scientific cooperation can serve as a practical and visible pillar of Czech engagement in Ethiopia. 

Připravil: Ing. Roman Plevák, Ph.D., vedoucí sekce obchodu a ekonomické spolupráce na Velvyslanectví ČR v Addis Abebě