Honey is one of the important food commodities due to its nutritional and medicinal values. However, the issue of its quality and authenticity remain as important factors in consumption and marketing. This study was aimed at determining the botanical sources and quality parameters of honey samples collected from different areas of Ethiopia. The botanical sources of honey were analyzed using the melissopalynological method. Sugar profiles were analyzed using HPLC, and physicochemical properties were determined following the harmonized methods of honey analysis. Diverse plant species, including Schefflera abyssinica, Eucalyptus spp., Guizotia abyssinica., Echinops spp., Coffee arabica, Bersama abyssinica, and Rumex spp., were identified as dominant sources of honey. However, honey from the Gimbo district contains no pollen fingerprints, and its source has remained unknown. The average values of honey sugar compositions ranged from 30.3–46.7%, 29.9–40.3%, 15.0–22.2%, and 0.28–4.4% for fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose, respectively. Although the quality parameter values of most honeys fit the acceptable range of national and international honey quality standards, honeys collected from Guassa district revealed some abnormal characteristics. This abnormality may be related with poor handling, processing, or suspected for honey adulteration. Thus, regular testing and monitoring of honey quality are crucial in order to maintain its natural properties as well as control the current widespread practice of honey adulteration in Ethiopia.

An investigation on population structure and ecology of the African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was carried out in Chebera Churchura National Park, Ethiopia during the wet and dry seasons of 2020 –2021. Sample counts using distance sampling of the African elephants were carried out in an area of 1,410 km2. The total population estimated was 756 individuals, and the mean population density estimated was 0.53/km2. Among these, females constituted 52.12% and males 36.07%. The remaining 11.8% of the population was young of both sexes. It was difficult to categorize the young into male and female in the field, as their primary sexual characteristics were not easily visible. Male to female sex ratio was 1.00:-1.42. Age structure was dominated by adults, which constituted 53.83% of the total population. Sub-adults comprised 19.11%, juveniles contributed 15.18% and calves accounted for 12.11% of the population. The herd size ranged from 1 to 149 individuals and the mean herd size during wet and dry seasons were 16.5 and 50.25, respectively. The African elephants were distributed in four habitat types: grassland, woodland, montane forest and riverine habitats in the study area. They were observed more in the riverine vegetation types during the dry season. Relative abundance of food resources, green vegetation cover and water availability in the area were the major factors governing their distribution in the present study area.