Abstract:
The study was conducted between September 2013 and February 2014 to determine the
distribution, feeding ecology and habitat preference of De Brazza’s monkeys in Mettu district,
southwestern Ethiopia. The study was designed to cover both wet and dry seasons and both Kola
and Woynadega agro-climatic zones. Questionnaire, field survey and focus group discussion
were used to gather primary data (qualitative and quantitative data) from the study area. Line
transect survey technique was used to study distribution pattern of the monkey. The survey on
feeding ecology of the monkey was carried out by direct observation. Average group encounter
rate per km was calculated to determine habitat preference of the monkey. The monkey occurred
from lowland with altitude of 1312 m up to 1640 m asl in the sampling area. A distance of 16.5
km was surveyed and a total of 49 De Brazza’s monkeys (dry season) and 46 De Brazza’s
monkeys (wet season) were counted in 8 localities. Eight groups were identified moving along
seven transects. Group size ranged from 1 to 8 with mean 5.8 individuals per group. The average
group density of De Brazza’s monkey in the study area was 3.9 per km2. The total population of
De Brazza’s monkeys in Mettu district was estimated to be 4939. Riverine forests were the most
preferred habitats of the monkey. Fruits, leaves, animal preys and flowers constituted the
monkey’s diet listed from the most consumed to the least consumed. The average time spent by
De Brazza’s monkeys feeding on fruits was 74.1% (dry) and 54.8% (wet); leaves 8.3% (wet) and
5.5% (dry); animal preys 7.3% (dry) and 4.9% (wet); flowers 1.7% (wet) and 0.7% (dry) and
they spent 12.4% and 30.3% of their time feeding on other unidentified items during the dry and
wet season, respectively. Thirteen tree species provided the diets of De Brazza’s monkeys, the
top five of which were Cordia africana, Albezia gummifera, Sapium ellipticum, Ficus sur and
Trichilla dregeana. The population of De Brazza’s monkey is declining and threatened with local
extinction due to habitat destruction by anthropogenic activities of the local communities.
Urgent governmental and communal conservation measures should be taken.
