Bale Mountains National Park is located in Oromia region southeast of Ethiopia. The Bale Mountains are the second highest mountain range in Ethiopia with in a protected area of approximately 2,200 square kilometers. With so much diversity in geography and wildlife, it’s no wonder why it has been named to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This undulating landscape ranges from glacial lakes and swamps to volcanic ridges and peaks ,inhabited by endemic species like the gelada baboon, the Walia ibex, and the endangered Ethiopian wolf. A total of 40 rivers rise inside thr Bale Mountains National Park , contributing to five major rivers: the the Web , Wabe Shebele, Welmel, Dumal and Ganale. Additionally, the Bale Mountains are the source for many springs in the lowlands, which are of paramount importance as they are the only source of water year-round. Furthermore, two rivers emanating from Bale, the Wabe Shebele and Yadot, (the tributary of the Ganale) have hydroelectric schemes. The dam on the Yadot River supplies electricity to Delo-Mena, while the dam on the Wabe Shebele provides electricity to the Bale area. There are also numerous natural mineral water springs, locally called horas, which provide an essential source of minerals for livestock. The mineral springs within the park are valued for their high mineral content including sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium.