The Diversity,Habitat association and Relative abundance of large and medium sized mammals of Gibe Sheleko National Park, Gurage Zone, South Nations and Nationalities Peoples Regional State, South Ethiopia

Abstract

The present research was carried out to assess the diversity, abundance and habitat association of medium and large-sized mammals in Gibe Sheleko National Park, Gurage Zone South Nations Nationalities Regional State, South West Ethiopia. Data was collected from January to July 2017. There are two habitat types in the study area;the riverine woodland and the woodland.Three blocks namely: Gibe seriti,Cheha and Borer were established to represent the study area.The Gibe seritirepresent the riverine woodland type,the Borer and the Cheharepresent the woodland habitat type with slight difference in their altitude.The transect lines were randomly establishedon each habitat andused to survey mammals in the study area.Indirect methods including foot prints, calls and faces were also used to record the presence and absence of mammals.A total of 954individuals of mammals (wet=521) and (dry=433) were recorded which belong to five mammalian orders; primates,lagomorpha,carnivore, arcdactila androdentia. There areeight families under the given orders. Like family canidae, bovidae, suidae,cercopitheci,leporidae, hyaenidae, viverridae and tachyglossidae. Among the three representative habitat types Gibeseriti (riverine woodland)had the highest diversity index (H`=1.4) during wet season. The most diversity was recorded inBorer (woodland)with (H`=1.66) during dry season. The least diversity was recorded inBorer (woodland)in combined seasons (H`=0.88). The Most abundant medium sized and large sized mammals in the study area were olive baboon(papioanubis) (50%), Thevervetmonkey (Certopithicusaetopis) (20.3%), Hippopotamus (Hippotamus amphibious) (12.35%) Warthog (Phacochoerus afr4icanus)(7.8%) and common jackal(Canisaureus) (2.5%)., The highest species similarity was obtained between borer and cheha habitats SI=0.475 and the least similarity was between Borer and Gibe Seriti habitats (SI=0.33) during wet season. During dry seasons the highest similarity of mammalian species wasbetween Cheha and Borer (SI=0,50).Mammals of the study area were classified in to common 53.84%, un common 23.07% and 23.07% are rare based on the way of they sighted in the study area.Despite the study area is home for different species of mammals, livestock grazing and human encroachments are evident in the area, putting strain on the flora and fauna. Hence, conservation measures should be taken to ensure long term conservation of the area.