Distribution, Population Status and Diurnal Activity Pattern of Burchell’s Zebra (Equus Burchelli , Gray, 1824) in Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A study on the distribution, population status, and diurnal activity pattern of Burchell’s
zebra (Equus burchelli, Gray, 1824) was carried out in the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary,
Southern Ethiopia during October, 2009 – March, 2010 including wet and dry seasons.
Distance sampling line-transect counting method was used to estimate the population
status of Burchell’s zebra in the study area. The objectives of the study were to provide
information on distribution, population status and diurnal activity pattern of Burchell’s
zebra in Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. Data were analyzed using SPSS computer soft ware
package and compared using one-way ANOVA, t-test, Tukey multiple comparison test
and paired t-test to see differences in seasonal and hourly time budget. The sex ratio of
adult male to adult female was 1.00:1.27. Group size changed seasonally. The mean
average group size was 12.5. Burchell’s zebras are mainly grazers. The group
composition of the animal varied with season, forming large herds during the wet season
and dispersing in to smaller groups during the dry season. The average herd sizes of one
male harem and bachelor stallion herd’s were 7.8 and 5.3, respectively. The sex structure
of Burchell’s zebras was adult male 34.5%, adult female 43.7% and young unknown sex
21.84%. Age composition of Burchell’s zebra comprised 78.2% adult, 13.0% sub-adult,
5.3 % juvenile and 3.5% foal. The age ratio of adult to young was 1:0.25 and 1: 0.32
during dry and wet seasons respectively. There was no significant difference in the age
ratio observed during wet and dry seasons (P > 0.05). On average, 78.2% of the total
population was adults and only 21.8 % constituted young. The diurnal activity pattern of
the animal follows the general pattern of ungulates in the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary,
characterized by morning and evening activity peaks with a period of rest in the middle of
the day. Distribution and vegetation utilization of the animal showed a marked preference
for open grassland habitat. However, there was a seasonal change in the preference of
habitat. The main threats of Burchell’s zebras in the study are livestock grazing, habitat
destruction and disturbances, bush encroachment, poaching and termite mount. The study
recommends an effective and realistic management policy to control illegal human
settlement and farming activities in the sanctuary.
Keywords: Activity pattern, Burchell’s zebra, distribution, habitat preference, population
status, threat, Yabello Sanctuary.
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Keywords
Activity pattern, Burchell’s zebra, distribution, habitat preference, population status, threat, Yabello Sanctuary