Maze National Park

{{Short description|National park in South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Maze National Park

| iucn_category = II

| iucn_ref = UNEP-WCMC (2022). Protected Area Profile for Maze from the World Database of Protected Areas. Accessed 27 February 2022. [https://www.protectedplanet.net/555705206]

| photo =

| photo_caption =

| location = Gamo Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia

| nearest_city = Arba Minch

| map = Ethiopia

| relief = 1

| map_caption = Location in Ethiopia

| coordinates = {{coord|6|25|N|37|14|E|region:ET-OR_scale:200000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| area_km2 = 210

| established = 2005

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| governing_body = Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority

}}

Maze National Park is a national park in the South Ethiopia Regional State of Ethiopia. It is located 460 km southwest of Addis Ababa and 248 km from Hawassa. It covers 210 square kilometers or 2020 hectare. Maze was founded in 2005, and is managed by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority.{{cite web|url=http://www.ewca.gov.et/en/node/22|title=Maze National Park (MzNP)|publisher=Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority|accessdate=3 November 2012}}

History

The park drives its name after Maze River that transverses through its length. The park was established in 2005. Maze Park served as a hunting area for Swayne's hartebeest and Buffalo.[https://www.walkinethiopia.com/attractions/the-national-parks/item/100-maze-national-park]

Geography

Elevations within the park range between 1000 and 1200 meters above sea level. rainy seasons extend from March to September with estimated range from 800 to 1600 mm per annum.[https://www.walkinethiopia.com/attractions/the-national-parks/item/100-maze-national-park] Mount Gughe, which rises to 4200 meter above sea level is found on the boundary of the park. Bilbo hot springs found, at the upper parts of Maze River, in the parks southern parts, has geysers that spout steam in to the air.[https://wildernessexplorersafrica.com/african-safari-destinations/ethiopia-safari-tours-holidays/ethiopia-national-parks/maze-national-park-ethiopia/] There are natural stone caves in the park called Wonja stone caves. This natural stone cave holds upto 300 people.[https://www.walkinethiopia.com/attractions/the-national-parks/item/100-maze-national-park]

Wildlife

= Flora =

The maze national park is covered by savannah grassland with scattered deciduous board leaf trees. The park is filled with different type of vegetation that grow on in different altitudes in various areas of the park. Some of the vegetations that grow in the park are the Bush land vegetation, wood land vegetation, Savannah Grassland and the riverine forest.

=Fauna=

Maze National Park is home to 37 species of mammals and 196 species of birds. The park is noted for its population of the endangered Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei),{{cite journal|last=Datiko|first=Demeke|author2=Afework Bekele|year=2011|title=Population status and human impact on the endangered Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Nechisar Plains, Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia|journal=African Journal of Ecology|volume=49|issue=3|pages=311–319|issn=0141-6707|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01266.x}}{{cite journal|last=Tekalign|first=W|author2=A Bekele|year=2012|title=Current Population Status of the Endangered Endemic Subspecies of Swayne's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Maze National Park, Ethiopia|journal=Ethiopian Journal of Science|volume=34|issue=1|issn=0379-2897|url=http://www.ajol.info/index.php/sinet/article/view/78232}} and is said to be second only to Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary in importance for that subspecies.{{cite book|title=A Glimpse at Biodiversity Hotspots of Ethiopia|url=http://ewnhs.org.et/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/03/Biodiversity-Hotspots-of-Ethiopia.pdf|publisher=Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society|page=77|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416083947/http://ewnhs.org.et/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/03/Biodiversity-Hotspots-of-Ethiopia.pdf|archivedate=2012-04-16}} There are about 300 Hartebeests at Maze National Park. Other animals who are common here are African buffalos, Anubis baboons, Lions, Leopards, Vervet monkeys, oribis, Bohor reedbucks, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lesser kudus, Greater kudus, cheetahs, warthogs, servals, and Bushpigs.

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.ewca.gov.et/en/node/22}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20111203103444/http://www.southtourism.gov.et/Home/Nature/NationalParks/Maze.html Description at the SNNPR Bureau of Culture and Tourism]

Category:National parks of Ethiopia

Category:Protected areas established in 2005

Category:2005 establishments in Ethiopia

Category:Protected areas of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region