An Overview of Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Managemt

The Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management at Wolkite University is an emerging academic department under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It is established to address the growing national and global demand for professionals in the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable wildlife utilization, and the promotion of eco-friendly tourism.

The department aims to produce graduates with a strong foundation in ecological sciences, wildlife conservation, natural resource management, and ecotourism planning. It combines theoretical instruction with hands-on training in protected area management, habitat assessment, wildlife monitoring, community-based conservation, and nature-based tourism development.

Given Ethiopia’s rich biodiversity and ecotourism potential, the department is strategically positioned to contribute to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage preservation.

Objectives/Goals

1. Produce Skilled Wildlife and Ecotourism Professionals: Train professionals capable of managing wildlife habitats, conserving biodiversity, and developing ecotourism sites.
2. Promote Biodiversity Conservation: Support the sustainable management of ecosystems and wildlife resources through scientific and community-based approaches.
3. Enhance Sustainable Ecotourism Development: Contribute to responsible tourism that benefits local communities while preserving natural and cultural heritage.
4. Strengthen Research in Wildlife and Tourism Management: Conduct multidisciplinary research on wildlife ecology, tourism impacts, conservation strategies, and ecosystem services.
5. Support Policy and Protected Area Governance: Provide expertise and technical input to policy-making and the effective management of national parks, wildlife reserves, and community conservation areas.
6. Encourage Community Participation and Environmental Stewardship: Empower local communities to actively engage in ecotourism ventures and wildlife conservation efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Programs

• Deliver undergraduate courses in wildlife biology, conservation planning, ecotourism development, park and recreation management, and environmental interpretation.
• Provide field-based training and internships in national parks, community conservation areas, and tourism destinations.
• Guide students in research projects, case studies, and final-year theses.

Research and Knowledge Generation

• Conduct research on endangered species, habitat degradation, eco-tourism impact assessments, and human-wildlife interactions.
• Publish findings in scientific journals and contribute to biodiversity databases and tourism development strategies.

Community Outreach and Extension

• Work with local communities to develop and manage community-based ecotourism enterprises.
• Offer awareness programs on conservation, wildlife laws, and sustainable tourism practices.

Capacity Building and Training

• Organize workshops, short courses, and training sessions for park managers, tour guides, eco-entrepreneurs, and local officials.
• Produce training manuals and conservation education materials.

Collaboration and Networking

• Partner with government bodies such as the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, NGOs, and international conservation organizations.
• Support interdisciplinary collaboration within the university for environmental research and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Policy and Planning Support

• Provide advisory services for protected area planning, tourism development, and conservation policy formulation.
• Participate in national and regional platforms for biodiversity and tourism policy dialogue.

Facility and Resource Management

• Manage departmental resources including GIS labs, herbariums, specimen collections, and eco-trails for educational and research use.
• Promote eco-friendly campus activities and student-led conservation clubs.