The Mountain Nyala Initiative

"The mountain nyala is Africa's most impressive antelope. Found only at high elevations in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia, this extremely muscular, spiral-horned ungulate is at home in dense Shefflera/Hagenia Forests and on heather-covered mountain tops. I found this kosso and bamboo forest in the Bale Mountains in an area called Odo Bulu. Nyala bulls seem to have a special affinity for bamboo forests, which can grow to extraordinary heights, making the perfect cover for these shy creatures." - John Banovich

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Mt. Nyala and Bamboo giclée canvases are donated to The Murulle Foundation.

The mountain nyala is one of the most highly prized big game species in Africa, and safari hunting plays a vital role in both conservation and management. Since 2006, BWF has been supporting The Murulle Foundation, a Colorado-based non-profit organization that is actively engaged in scientific research and sustainable conservation of the mountain nyala and its critical habitat.

Mapping the potential habitat and distribution of the mountain nyala is one of The Murulle Foundation's top priorities. The full range of the species has never been adequately defined, and international wildlife conservation groups still underestimate the total population. Policies based on these estimates threaten to undermine Ethiopia`s sustainable wildlife management programs. Not only does this threaten the future of safari hunting of the mountain nyala, it also ultimately threatens the future existence of the species outside protected areas.

The results of this research will be shared with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the international scientific community with the goal of facilitating the designation of protected wildlife areas in Ethiopia and guiding management activities.