Jornal de Biodiversidade e Espécies Ameaçadas

Abundance, Distribution and Population Structure of Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Hanto Controlled Hunting Area, Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Dejene Worku and Demeke Datiko

An investigation on abundance, distribution and population structure of endemic and endangered mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) was carried out in Hanto controlled hunting area between 2015 and 2016 for both wet and dry seasons. The objective of investigation was to compile baseline data on abundance, distribution and population structure of mountain nyala in the controlled hunting area. To achieve the objective, five major habitat types (Erica vegetation, Woodland, Bamboo forest, Reverine forest and Grassland habitat) were identified and 21% of each habitat was surveyed. Sample counts of mountain nyala was carried out using random line transect sampling method in an area of 39.9 km² from the total area of 190 km² to estimate the population size and to identify their distribution. The estimated populations of mountain nyala were 531.9 ± 49.3 individuals. Male mountain nyala comprised 37.5%, females were 50.9% and young’s of both sexes were 11.6% of the total population. The male to female sex ratio was 1:1.36. Age structure was dominated by adults, which constituted 61.2% of the total population. The animals were distributed in all the five habitat types. Hence, the study revealed that, the controlled hunting area harbors significant populations of endemic mountain nyala. As a result, it can serves not only as hunting concession but also as an important core protected area for the country's wildlife conservation and tourist attraction area in the future.