Population Status and Feeding Ecology of Menelik’s bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki, Neumann, 1902) in Wof Washa natural forest, North Shoa, Amhara regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on the population status and feeding ecology of Menelik’s bushbuck (Traglaphus scriptus meneliki) was conducted in the Wof Washa Natural Forest (WWNF) during AprilAugust 2013 including dry and wet seasons. Line-transect counting method was used to estimate total population size of Menelik’s bushbuck in the study area and diet of Menelik’s bushbuck was studied using direct observation method. A total of 64 and 72 Menelik’s bushbucks were recorded during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The population structure of Menelik’s bushbuck was adult male 27.94%, adult female 36.76%, sub-adult males 11.03%, sub-adult females 15.45% and young 8.82%. The male to female sex ratio was 1.00:1.34, while ratio of young to all adult individuals was 1.00:10.33 both during dry and wet seasons. The seasonal differences in the population size was statistically not significant (P>0.05). Menelik’s bushbuck in the study area prefers natural forest habitat than plantation and Erica woodland habitats. 64% of Menelik’s bushbuck diet comes from leaves, 20% from shoots and 7% from stems, and fruits and flowers contributed for only 6% and 3%, respectively. Menelik’s bushbuck consumed 28 plant species, of these the three top species were Maytenus arbutifolia (13.45%), Cynodon dactilon (11.50%) and Myrsine africana (9.90%) accounted for 34.85% of their overall diet. The main threats of the Menelik’s bushbuck in the study area were deforestation, fire wood and grass collection, livestock grazing, and other related human activities. Long term studies, conservation program and involvement of local communities for the conservation of Menelik’s bushbuck in the area are recommended.