Damage Caused by Large Mammals in Wonji-Shoa Sugarcane Plantation, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The goal of this research was to identify large mammals that cause
damage to sugarcane plantation and to determine the extent of the
damage; this goal was achieved. The study on the damage caused by
large mammals in Wonji-Shoa Sugarcane Plantation was carried out
from August 2006 to March 2007. Three sample areas were randomly
selected in the sugarcane plantation to collect data on sugarcane damage
and faecal droppings of the animals. Strip line transect method was used
to estimate hippopotamus population and total count method was used
to estimate warthog and grivet monkey populations. Data collected on
population estimation and faecal droppings were analysed using
descriptive statistic chi-square and for damage assessment T-test was
used. There was seasonal variation in the population of the three animals
in the area. The estimated hippopotamus population was 129 and 99
during the wet and dry seasons, which was significantly different
(χ 2 = 3.947, df =1, P < 0.05). The estimated warthog population was 180
and 140 during the wet and dry seasons, which was significantly
different (χ 2 = 5.000, df = 1, P < 0.05). The estimated grivet monkey
population was estimated 882 and 630 during the wet and dry seasons,
which was significantly different (χ 2 = 42.00, df = 1, P < 0.01). More
number of individuals were recorded during the wet season. The grivet
monkey population was most abundant and the hippopotamus
population was least abundant in the area. The sugarcane damage
caused by hippopotamus was 2745 and 3089 stalk per ha during the wet
and dry seasons which was significantly different (t = 16.96, df = 1, P <
0.05). Damage caused by warthog was 3988 and 4025 stalk per ha which
was significantly different (t = 216.57, df = 1, P < 0.05). The sugarcane
damage by grivet monkey was 3148 and 3590 stalk per ha during the
wet and dry seasons which was significantly different (t = 15.244, df = 1,
P < 0.05). Sugarcane damage increased during the dry season. Warthog
caused more damage than hippopotamus and grivet monkey;
hippopotamus caused least damage.
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Biology