Addis Ababa, July 2, 2026 (ENA) – Digital surveillance of animals is essential for both protecting nature and boosting travel industry through data about animal numbers and natural areas, stated Tourism State Minister Seleshi Girma.
The state minister highlighted that information technology is increasingly being focused on for gathering, structuring, and distributing data through technological means, as areas such as wildlife conservation, tourism satellite accounting, and visitor management are experiencing digitization.
At a verification seminar held on a digital system tested for overseeing conservation zones at Bale Mountains National Park and Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary today, Kumera Wakjira, head of the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, stated that the initiative implemented in 106 protected regions will act as a foundation for extending digital administration throughout the nation's other natural reserves.
The system provides forecasting features that can assist in managing conflicting land use priorities and aid in extended-range development, he mentioned.
He mentioned that it also functions as an early-alert system to assist officials in getting ready for shifting ecological circumstances that may impact wildlife diversity.
The head of the organization also emphasized the platform's role in advancing tourism development, supporting academic studies, and facilitating data-driven policy decisions, pointing out that it helps manage Ethiopia’s conservation zones more efficiently.
The director-general of the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute, Abdissa Yilma, stated that the initiative combines digital, satellite, geographic information system, and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies to enhance conservation efforts.
The technologies will aid in managing Ethiopia's abundant biological diversity, which forms key components of the economy and tourist industry, he further noted.
As stated by the Director-General, previous efforts in wildlife conservation were mainly done manually and without a clear framework, resulting in restricted reach because of insufficient technology, which the initiative aims to resolve.