scholarly journals Population Status and Habitat Association of Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus Buselaphus Swaynei (Sclater, 1892)) in Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham Tolcha ◽  
Simon Shibru ◽  
Belayneh Ayechew

We investigated the population status and habitat association of the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei (Sclater, 1892)) in the Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia, in 2018 and 2019. Sample count method line-transect was used for the population estimation, while habitat association was made based on the abundance of individuals counted in each habitat. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparisons with χ2 test. The total estimated populations of Swayne’s Hartebeest (SHB) in the study period were 1456 and 1492 during wet and dry seasons, respectively showing no seasonal variation. Among the total estimated population, 31% were adult males, 38.46% adult females, 13.97% sub adult males, 15.94% sub adult females and 1.07% young. The number of adult females was higher than the other age groups followed by adult males in both seasons. Significant differences were reported  among age and sex structure of population size during both seasons (wet season: χ2= 58.423, df =3, P < 0.05; dry season: χ2=534.079, df= 4, P < 0.05). The maximum group size was 36 and the minimum was 1. The ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:1.24 and 1:1.24, sub-adult males to sub adult females was 1:1.16 and 1:1.12, adult males to sub-adult males was 1:0.36 and 1:0.56, adult females to sub-adult females was 1:0.33 and 1:0.49 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The male to female ratio was 1:1.22 and 1:1.19 during wet and dry seasons as well. The population trend among ten years were significantly differed (χ 2 = 1.708, df= 9, P< 0.05). The SHB was distributed into three types of habitat (riverine forest, open grassland and scattered tree) with significant differences (χ2=1109.937, df = 3, P < 0.05). The savannah grass land was most preferable habitat followed by scattered tree habitat. Maintaining its critical habitat was highly recommended for sustainability of current population status.

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151
Author(s):  
Wondimagegnehu Tekalign ◽  
Afework Bekele

The population status of oribi (Ourebia ourebi Zimmermann, 1783) was carried out in the newly established Maze National Park, Ethiopia for two consecutive years (October 2009 to December 2011). A total count method was employed based on silent detection method in an area of 220 km2. A total of 894 and 1103 individuals were counted during the two consecutive years, respectively. Seasonal variation was significantly different with more individuals during the dry season than the wet season (p<0.05). The density of oribi over the whole area was 3.40 and 4.36 during the wet and 4.72 and 5.66 individuals per km2 during the dry seasons in both years, respectively. The study was important for future conservation measures as the oribi is the flagship species of the area.Bangladesh J. Zool. 41(2): 145-151, 2013


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akiko Matsumoto-Oda ◽  
Anthony D. Collins

Most non-human primates are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of food types like as fruit, leaves, seeds, insects, gums or a mixture of these items. In spite of frequent eating of fish in human, there are few species to eat fishes in non-human primates. Observations of fish-eating in wild primates bring us an important cue for the question why humans have evolved appetite for fish. Here we report two new fish-eating cases observed in anubis baboons (Papio anubis) at the Mpala Research Centre, Kenya and the Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Both cases were observed in dry seasons, and two adult males and a young female ate recently dead or dying fishes in each case. In these two cases, the opportunity of fish-eating occurred by chance and it will be difficult for them to eat fishes ordinarily.


2020 ◽  
pp. 175815592096320
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Shiferaw ◽  
Dereje Yazezew

The diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of avifauna were studied at and Around Ansas Dam, Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia, from early September 2018 to early February 2019, covering both wet and dry seasons. Line transect technique was employed to study the diversity, abundance and distribution of birds species in the farmland site while total count employed on the dam. Data were collected in both wet and dry seasons from 6:30 to10:00 early morning and 15:30 to 18.00 late afternoon, when birds are more active. The data were analyzed with Shannon-Weiner Index, Simpson Index, Evenness Index, and relative abundance. A total of 45 bird species (35 in the dam and 22 in the farmland) belonging to nine orders and 21 families were recorded during the study period. Order Passeriformes (37.8%) followed by order Charadriformes (24.4%) were represented highest number. From all identified species at Ansas Dam and surrounding farmland, Abyssinian longclaw, Black-headed siskins, White-tailed swallow, Blue-winged goose, and Spot-breasted lapwing were endemic birds to Ethiopia. The highest Shannon diversity (H′ = 2.1) was recorded in dam during the dry season while the lowest (H′ = 1.78) was recorded during wet season in farmland. However, the Simpson diversity Index of avian species indicated relatively higher avian species diversity during the dry season in dam (D = 0.80) than farmland (D = 0.71) habitat. Evenness was highest in the dam (E = 0.65) and lowest in the farmland (E = 0.58) habitat. More avian species similarity (SI = 0.42) at farmland and dam habitat during the wet season but least similarity (SI = 0.2) was observed during the dry season. Most birds had scored rare in the ordinal scale while few species with abundant and uncommon ranks in both habitats and seasons. Conservation of the different charismatic bird species should be taken as an important component of wildlife management plan in the area.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tewodros Kumssa ◽  
Afework Bekele

A study of the population status, habitat preference, and activity pattern of nonbreeding flamingos was carried out in Lakes Abijata, Shalla, and Chitu, part of the Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia, from 2011 to 2013. The current population status and habitat preference of flamingos in the area are still poorly known. Likewise, data on diurnal and seasonal activity pattern of the species are scarce and this leads to the misunderstanding of how Flamingos use local wetlands throughout the different seasons. Data regarding population size and activity pattern were gathered during the wet and dry seasons. Point-count method was used to estimate the population size. Behaviors were recorded using scan sampling techniques. A total of 53671 individuals representing two species of flamingo were counted during both wet and dry seasons from the three lakes. There were more flamingos during the dry season than the wet season in Lake Abijata contrary to Lakes Shalla and Chitu during the wet season. Lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) were the most abundant species comprising 95.39%, while Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) accounted for 4.61% of the total population. Lake Abijata is the major stronghold of Lesser Flamingos in the area. There was significant variation in the mean number of both species during the wet and dry season in the different study sites of the lake, respectively. The species were known to use varied habitats within the lakes. The Lesser Flamingo mainly preferred the shoreline and mudflat areas of the lakes. However, Greater Flamingo on several occasions showed preference to offshore area of the lakes. Seasonal average flock sizes were not similar between the species. There was a strong relationship between time allocated to each activity and time of day. Feeding activity varied among daylight hours and was higher in the evening (76.5%) and late morning (74.56%) and least during midday (54%). Some variations in activity breakdown were observed between time blocks and season. Conservation efforts in the park should include the wild flora and fauna not only of the land but also of the aquatic systems. The information in this study will be very useful for the future management of the species in the area.


1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Robertson

Kinchega National Park was drought-stricken for most of 1982 and part of 1983. Extremely low pasture biomass led to a high mortality of kangaroos. An estimated 14500 � 1450 kangaroos died, of which 9400 were western grey kangaroos and 5100 were red kangaroos. Most subadult and old kangaroos died, and proportionately more adult males died than adult females. The age structures of western greys and reds that died were significantly different.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 18132-18140
Author(s):  
D. Ejigu ◽  
A. Bekele ◽  
L. Powell

Walia Ibex Capra walie is an endemic and endangered species residing in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia.  It has shifted its range within the Park in the last decade, and in this study our main objective was to provide information on their feeding ecology to inform recovery goals.  We used a scan sampling method to collect foraging information during October 2009 to November 2011.  Our observations suggest a diverse diet of more than 28 species of grasses, forbs, and shrubs.  The most commonly used plants were Festuca sp., Lobelia rhynchopetalum, Helichrysum citrispinum, and Helichrysum horridum.  Walia Ibex were active in feeding before and after mid-day, and time spent feeding was the highest compared with other diurnal activities.  The percentage of time spent feeding on major plant species did not differ between wet and dry seasons (p> 0.05).  Walia Ibex, however, tended to spend more time browsing than grazing.  The generalist nature of foraging behaviour in Walia Ibex most likely contributes to complaints from the local people who witness Walia Ibex raiding crops cultivated in and around the Park.  Thus, the contribution of crop raiding to the shifts in the species’ range towards higher altitudes at Sebatminch within Simien Mountains National Park emphasizes the need to consider foraging ecology as community-based conservation efforts are developed to support Walia Ibex in the Park. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 19232-19238
Author(s):  
Mujahid Ahamad ◽  
Jamal A. Khan ◽  
Satish Kumar

Information on the status of the Indian Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra is mostly available from protected areas (PA), although 80% of its population occurs outside PAs. We conducted surveys to assess the status, age structure, sex ratio, and conservation issues of Blackbuck in and around Aligarh between February and June 2014. A median of 672 individuals at 18 separate locations were recorded with a group size ranging 4–216 except for solitary individuals. The abundance of Blackbuck was maximum in Sikandra Rao (range: 154–216) followed by Andla (range: 47–65), and Pala-Sallu (range: 53–62). Sex ratio was skewed towards females (1:4.5) with yearling to female and fawn to female ratio of 7.8:100 and 6.7:100, respectively. The percentage of adult males of Blackbuck (12.8% adult males, 8.4% sub-adult males) as well as adult females (56.4% adult females, 11.9% sub-adult females) was higher than other age classes or groups in the population. The preliminary observations indicate that the increasing population of free-ranging feral dogs, degradation of forest patches, social forestry plantations, competition with livestock, and poaching pressure are the major conservation issues of Blackbuck in the area. The current information is expected to serve as baseline in assessing the population of Blackbuck in the future. 


1998 ◽  
Vol 353 (1369) ◽  
pp. 753-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Q. Hull ◽  
A. W. Pike ◽  
A. J. Mordue ◽  
G. H. Rae

Non–invasive observations of single cohort and manipulated populations of the sealouse on laboratory–maintained salmon established the sequence of reproductive events and mating. Protandry occurs with adult male emergence synchronized with pre–adult II female emergence, the stage at which most pair formation and pre–copular guarding takes place. Male competence for pair formation and mating was achieved within 24 h of the final moult and pairing occurred according to the preference hierarchy, virgin adult females greater than pre–adult II females much greater than pre–adult I females. This hierarchy broke down when the adult male to unmated female ratio increased rapidly. Males mated successfully not only with newly moulted adult females, but also with older virgin females in which enlargement of the genital complex and premature extrusion of egg strings had occurred. Multiple mating by adult males was demonstrated and may be widespread. Significant inter–host transfer was also demonstrated. Adult males were more mobile than adult females and showed significantly more inter–host transfer. Ablation of the distal tip of the antennules significantly reduced the success of host–finding, pair formation and males' mating.


BMC Zoology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yibelu Yitayih ◽  
Dessalegn Ejigu ◽  
Misganaw Mola

Abstract Background Human-monkey conflict exists in different forms all over the world and is experienced more in developing countries. The conflict between human and grivet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) ranks among the main threats to biodiversity conservation and has become frequent and severe in different parts of Africa. A study on population size and human-grivet monkey conflict in Zegie Peninsula was carried out from August 2019 to March 2020; the study comprised both the wet and dry seasons. The line transect method was used to collect data on the population size of grivet monkeys. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to study the human-grivet monkey conflict and its conservation status. Results The estimated population of grivets in the study area was 5046. Population structure of grivets indicated that there were 637 adult males, 1246 adult females, 1839 juveniles, and 1324 infants. The number of grivets in different habitat was; 1925 grivets in agricultural area, 1568 in lakeshore, 988 in forest and 565 grivets in shrub. Grivet population estimate between the wet and dry seasons did not show significant differences (χ2 = 0.941, df = 1, p > 0.05). But there was a significant difference in the population estimate of grivets among the different habitats (χ2 = 239.135, df = 3, p < 0.05 and among their age/sex (χ2 = 504.102, df = 3, p < 0.05. Based on the questionnaire result the most problematic crop pests in the area were grivet monkeys (96.4%), bush pigs (52.3%), porcupine (46.3%) and squirrels cover (33.2%). The result of discussions held with focus groups and questionnaires in the study area showed that grivet monkeys damage crops (98.4%), chicken depredation (49.5%), steal and snatch human food (32%), disturbing communities (11.3%) in the area. Most (62%) of the respondents noted that guava is the most vulnerable crop followed by papaya, mango, avocado to be damaged by grivet monkeys. Conclusion The total number of grivet monkey in the study area is 5046. The number of grivet monkeys varies based on their sex/age and their habitat type. There is no significant difference in their number according to season since the movement of grivets is restricted to the area (there is no migration in the area). The increasing population number leads the occurrence of human grivet monkey conflict in the area and this inversely affects grivet monkeys. There was a human-grivet monkey conflict in the Peninsula and grivets damaged crops, not only crops but also predating poultry, stealing eggs, and human food. Consequently, grivets were killed in response to the damage they caused to crops. Grivet’s habitat in the Peninsula is highly disturbed because the local people cut trees for sale to support their livelihood. Awareness creation of the residents about wildlife and their habitat is necessary, and people should understand the impact of deforestation, illegal hunting, and the role of grivets in the ecosystem at large. Hence there is a need to protect the forest in order to ensure sustainable conservation of biodiversity in general and grivet monkeys in particular.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document