Abstract:
The study was conducted to assess the diversity, abundance and habitat association of medium
and large sized mammals in Gaysay, Bale Mountain National Park from February, 2015 to
August, 2015. Three habitat types; grassland, woodland and Erica forest were covered in the
study. Inventory of the medium and large size mammalian species was made from
representative transects randomly selected from each habitat. Indirect evidences including foot
print, pug mark, burrows, quills and calls were also used to record the presence or absence of
mammals. A total of 12 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to four
mammalian orders (Lagomorpha, Primate, Artiodactla and Carnivora) were recorded. Grassland
had the highest diversity index (H‟=1.333) during wet season. The most diversified habitat
during dry season was woodland with (H‟=1.504) while the least diversity was recorded in Erica
forest in both dry (H‟=0961) and wet (H‟=0.827) seasons. Most common medium and large
sized mammals in the study area were warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus), olive baboon (Papia
Anubis), menelik‟s bushbuck (Traglaphus scriptus) and grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia). In
terms of abundance, Mountain nyala (Traglaphus buxtoni)( 30.2%) and warthog ( Phacochoerus
africanus) (24.6) were the most abundant while the least abundant medium and large mammal
species recorded from the study area were Klipspringer ( Oreotagus oreotagus )(0.1%) and
Spotted hyena (Corcuta corcuta)(0.1%). Among the three habitat types, the highest species
similarity was obtained between the Woodland and Erica forest ( SI=0.800) and the least species
similarity was obtained between Grassland and Erica forest (SI=0.461) during wet season. The
similarity of mammalian species between grassland and woodland was highest during dry season
(SI=0.750). Mammals of the study area were classified in to common (41.67% ), uncommon
(41.67% % ) and rare (16.66%) based on how often they were sighted.
