A new expedition! Belete-Gera, Ethiopia

The Belete-Gera forest priority area in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia is one of the last remaining natural forests in Ethiopia with a surface of almost 1000 km². It is an afrmontane rainforest, ranging between 1500 and 2600 meters above sea level, intersected by wild rivers with steep slopes. This area is known as the origin of the wild Arabica coffee. This area is under a considerably high threat due to population growth and rising demands for land, coffee and wood. Nonetheless, the forest is situated within the “UNESCO Eastern afromontane biodiversity hotspot” due to its rich fauna and flora with many endemic species. BINCO will go on an expedition at the end of 2014 to assess the diversity of mammals, reptiles and amphibians in this area.