Population Size, Activity Patterns and Foraging Habites of Colobus Gureza in Duben Mountain Awi Zone Ethiopia
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Date
2024-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Colobus gureza is distributed in forests and within savanna woodlands to the north of the moist forests of central Africa, often extending into highland or Montana forests. A study documents information on population size, feeding habits and activity pattern of Colobus gureza in Awi Zone Duben Mountain, Ethiopia. Data were collected using total count method, direct observation and scan sampling method from October 2023 to March 2024 seasonally from the study area. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and the Chi-square test was used for testing. According to the data, there were 54 Colobus gureza on average were recorded .during the wet season and 57 during the dry season. There was no significant difference in the number of Colobus gureza during the wet (x2= 0.96, df = 3, P > 0.05) and the dry (x2= 22.8, df = 3, P > 0.05) seasons. During the wet season, leaves were the main food source for Colubus gureza, followed by fruits. They did, however, eat leaves, fruits, shoots, and flowers throughout the dry season. Colobus gureza sleep for long periods of time before eating, moving, and grooming. The activity budget varied significantly between the groups in both the wet (x2 = 129.54, df = 3, P < 0.05) and dry (x2 = 113.12, df = 3, P < 0.05) seasons. Duben mountain forest is highly threatened by the local community due to different activities. As a result, the Woreda Administration needs to engage the community more in order to prohibit harmful activities and safeguard the Forest. Additionally, in order to increase the population of Colobus gurezas, certain conservation methods should be considered.
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Keywords
Activity Pattern, Colobus Gureza, Feeding Ecology, Duben Mountain, Population Status