The population size and distribution of diurnal large wild mammals in
southern Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia
Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the population size and distribution
of diurnal large wild mammals in southern Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia.
The study area was stratified into four habitat types; such as riverine
forest, and ground-water forest, grassland, and bushland. Samples of
animals were surveyed through the transect method. The total number of
mammals belonging to the 15 different species was 1681 and 1245 during
the wet and dry seasons. The Burchell’s zebra, Anubis baboon, Vervet
monkey, and Grant’s gazelle were the most abundant species; while,
Abyssinian hare and Bush duiker were the least abundant species. The
highest mammalian species has been supported by the bushland habitat
followed by open grassland, riverine forest, and ground-water forest in
both seasons. Despite the park is home to various types of mammalian
species, the management plan of the park should consider getting
sustainable benefits from the mammalian species in the future.