Assessment of large mammals potential in Tululujia Wildlife Reserve, Southwestern Ethiopia
Keywords:
Density, distribution, mammal, population size, Tululujia Wildlife Reserve, EthiopiaAbstract
Ethiopia is among the world best biodiversity area in terms of richness and endemism of mammalian species. Although, the mammalian fauna is deteriorating rapidly, no comprehensive assessment and documentation including endemic fauna exists until now. This study was carried out to assess the population size, distribution, density of large mammals and threat, between June 2014 and February 2015 in Tululujia Wildlife Reserve. The study was conducted by stratification of the study area into natural forest and wooded grassland. The transect line sampling method that was laid in random fashion in each habitat types was used. Direct count method along sample transect lines was conducted to assess population size and distribution of mammals. And direct site observation and key informant interview. The totals of 19 species of large mammals were recorded in the study area. Mammalian composition and abundance varied in different habitats and seasons. Mammalian distribution was significantly higher in forest than wooded grassland. It was also higher during dry season than wet season. The Wild pig, Warthog and Colubus monkey, Vervet monkey, Chino monkey were commonly observed mammals, while African elephant and Leopard were the least frequently observed species. Poaching, encroachment by agricultural, and settlements and deforestation observed in the areas, causing enormous pressure on the flora and fauna. The area needs immediate measures like better protection for the conservation of mammalian diversity of this area on long run.
References
Abu, K., (2011). Population census and ecology of a rare gelada population (Thereopithecs gelada unnamed sub-sp.) in Indato, eastern Arsi,Ethiopia.
Ademasu, M., G/Michel, A., Sisay,W., Yigerem,T., and Kassa, H., 2012. Ecological study and demarcation report of Tululujia proposed wildlife conservation area/Wildlife Reserve, Bench Maji Zone, Guraferda District. Guraferda, Ethiopia. 48p.
Ayalew, Y., 2009. Population status, distribution and ecology of Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) in Azwa and Arego, South Wollo, Dessie, Ethiopia. M.Sc. Thesis. Addis Ababa University. Ethiopia. 63p.
Beehner, J.C., Gebre, B., Bergman, T.J., and McCann, C., 2006. Population estimate for geladas (Theropithecus gelada) living in and around the Semen Mountains National Park, Ethiopia SENET: Ethiopian journal of Science 3??(??).
Bibby, C., Jones, M., and Marsden, S., 1998. Expedition Field Techniques: Bird Surveys. Published by the Expedition Advisory. Centre Kensington Gore, London. 134p.
Denu, D., (2006). Floristic composition and ecological study of Bibita forest Guraferda Southwest, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa University. Environment, 3: 40-49.
GDAO. (2010). Balanced score card (BSC) plan. Guraferda, Ethiopia
Girma,Z.,Mamo,Y.,and Ersado, M., (2012). Species Composition, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Large Mammals in and around Wondo Genet Forest Patch, Southern Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 5: 538-551.
IUCN/SSC-ASG (Antelope Specialist Group), 2008. Tragelaphus imbibes IUCN Red List of threatened species. Version 2012.1. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). 67p.
Mamo,Y., Mengesha G., Fetene, A., Shale,K., and Girma, M., (2012). Status of the Swayne’s Hartebeest, (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) meta-population under land cover changes in Ethiopian Protected Areas. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, Vol. 4(12), pp. 416-426.
Menberu, A., (2011). Differential livelihood and adaptive strategies of Spontaneous and organized resettlers in Guraferda Woreda of Southwestern Ethiopia (SNNPR).
Regassa, R., and Yirga, S., 2013. Distribution, abundance and population status of Burchell’s Zebra (Equus quagga) in Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Ecology and the Natural
Tefera, M., (2011). Wildlife in Ethiopia: Endemic Large Mammals. World Journal of Zoology, 108-116, 2011.
Tekalign, W., (2006). Distribution, population status and feeding behavior of oribi (Ourebia ourebi) in Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS).
Tekalign, W., and Bekele, A., 2011. Current population status of the endangered endemic subspecies of Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) In Maze National Park, Ethiopia. SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science, 1:39-48.
Varman, S., K., and Sukumar, R., (1995). The line transects method for estimating densities of large mammals in a tropical deciduous forest: An evaluation of models and field experiments. Vol. 20, pp 273-287.
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Our journals offer different licence options, please see the Instructions to Authors page of the relevant journal for more information.
Books and book chapters
When publishing a book, or a chapter in a book, the terms of licensing and copyright will typically be included in a contract which you would have to agree with a publisher and which will specify the usage rights, the format(s) and length of time applied to the work.
Book contracts vary from publisher to publisher, and can in some cases be complicated. If you are required to sign a contract with a publisher in order to publish your work you need to ensure that the contract covers your rights and that it takes into account the obligation you have to your employer and/or the funder of your research.
If you want to publish a thesis or dissertation it is recommended that you contact your institution or department to make sure that you follow their policy for such publications.
Kindly Check the concern book title for How To Cite. Plese ignore if any citation format provided in Book Section
