Mammalian Diversity in Borena-Sayint National Park, South Wollo, Ethiopia
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Date
2010-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study on the diversity of mammalian fauna in Borena-Sayint
National Park (BSNP), South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia was conducted from
December, 2009 to April, 2010. The study area was divided into riverine
forest, erica woodland and open grassland habitats based on
topography during the preliminary survey. The altitude of the area
ranges from 1900m to 3699m asl. Representative sample sites were
taken from each habitat type and surveyed using random linetransect
method. Twenty three species of medium to largesized, five species of
rodents and two species of shrews were identified and recorded from
BSNP. Small and largesized Sherman traps and snaptraps were used to
trap small mammals and morphometric measurement was taken for
the species. From a total of 88 small mammals trapped caught,
L.flavopunctatus had the highest relative abundance (37.7%), followed
by P.harringtoni and O.typus with 17% each. S.albipes, A.dembeensis
and C. flavescens had 12.5%, 8% and 5.7% of abundance, respectively.
C.fumosa had the lowest relative abundance (2.3%). Mammals of the
study area were classified in to common (33.4%), uncommon (23.3%),
occasional (16.7%) and rare (26.7%) based on how often they were
sighted or evidences recorded. They were also categorized into meat
eaters (33.3%), small gleaners (16.7%), fruit and leaf eaters (13.3%) and
others (36.7%). For large mammal survey, indirect methods such as
feaces, hairs, spines, puge marks, sound and carcass were used in
addition to the direct observations. Major threats of the Park identified
during the study period were grass collection, livestock grazing and
encroachment.
Key words/ Phrases: Borena-Sayint National Park, conservation
diversity, mammals
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Keywords
Borena-Sayint National Park, Conservation, Diversity, Mammals