Message from the Emperor

Nations which, in addition to beautiful scenery, also possess a rich variety of wildlife are nowadays few in number. Ethiopia how­ever, is one of them. Efforts to conserve Ethiopia's fauna and flora in their natural setting and to prevent their indiscriminate des­truction are not only acts of kindness and aesthetic sensitivity, but are also a means of preserving the country's heritage so that it may be passed on to future generations. Furthermore, by attract­ing people from lands not fortunate enough to possess such a heritage to come here to enjoy the spectacle offered by our fauna and flora, our natural wealth and beauty, they can make a signifi­cant contribution to the development of the natipn's economy . and to its external relations.

Emperor Hilesilassie feeding a Leopard

We are delighted that the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society has been established and to learn that the first number of its journal « Wa/ia » is shortly to be published. The creating of this Society is, of course, not an end in itself, and it will be the Society's responsibility to see that every Ethiopian learns to love the fauna and flora of his country and preserve them in their natural state.

We express our appreciation to all of you who by your initia­tive have succeeded in founding the Society of which we have accepted this patronage. We would also like to convey Our thanks to the President of the World Wildlife Fund. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands for the great contribution he has made to the development programme for Ethiopia 's Wildlife resources. The U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization also deserves our grati­tude. likewise various other bodies that have helped us in this enterprise.

We wish you every success in the task you have begun. May you achieve the goals you have set for your Society.

November 30th, 1968. Haile Selassie I, Emperor