The degree of conflict between gelada baboons and local communities in and around the Simien Mountains National Park was investigated and possible solutions for the existing problems are suggested. The study was carried out from September, 2005 to March, 2006 by means of questionnaire survey, direct observations on crop damage by gelada baboon and using faecal dropping analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and responses were compared using chi-squared test and one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression model was used to determine factors that caused crop damage. The average annual crop loss by gelada baboon per household was 117 ± 10 kg. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) between the type of crop grown and the type of crop damaged. Among the respondents, 47.3% reported serious loss of barley by gelada baboons. Analysis from the faecal droppings showed that 18% of the samples constituted barley although the extent of damage varied from village to village. Among the respondents, 60.3% cultivated only barley because of the cold weather and the type of soil in the study area. Distance from the Park and the frequency of crop damage were negatively correlated ()0.57, P < 0.001). Although farmers utilized various methods to protect their farms against gelada baboons, the most prominent method was direct watching (48.3%). To minimize the existing problems, local residents and the Park authorities should work together to identify alternative crops and land-use patterns that might not attract gelada baboons. RésuméNous avons étudié l'importance des conflits entre les babouins geladas et les communautés locales dans et autour du Parc National des Simien Mountains, et nous suggérons d'éventuelles solutions pour les régler. L'étude a eu lieu de septembre 2005 à mars 2006, sous la forme d'une enquête par questionnaire, d'observations directes des dommages causés aux cultures par les geladas et d'analyses des excréments. Les données furent analysées au moyen de statistiques descriptives, et les réponses furent comparées par un test en v 2 et une ANOVA à une voie. Un modèle de régression logistique fut utilisé pour déterminer les facteurs qui causent les dommages aux récoltes. La perte annuelle moyenne attribuée aux babouins était de 117 ± par ménage. Il y avait une corrélation positive (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) entre le type de culture pratiqué et celui qui était endommagé. 47.3% des participants à l'enquête ont rapporté de graves pertes d'orge à cause des babouins geladas. L'analyse des excréments a révélé que 18% des échantillons étaient composés d'orge mais la gravité des dommages variait d'un village à l'autre. 60.3% des participants ne cultivaient que de l'orge en raison du climat froid et du type de sol dans la zone étudiée. La distance par rapport au parc et la fréquence des dommages étaient négativement liées ()0.57, P < 0.001). Bien que les fermiers utilisent plusieurs méthodes pour protéger leurs fermes contre les geladas, la plus importante était de les surveiller directement (48.3%). Afi...

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Background: Gelada baboon is one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia residing in different highlands. The population structure and habitat use of gelada baboon in Wof-Washa particularly Gosh Meda area was investigated from September 2016 to August 2017. Total counting method was used to collect data on the population status by dividing the study area in to four blocks, namely, Kundi, Arbgebeya, Goshber, and Goshmeda. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The age-sex category and the numbers of geladas found within the different blocks were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and paired t test was also used to analyze the pair wise comparison of the different age and sex categories during both dry and wet seasons. Results: A total of 435 and 471 gelada baboons were counted during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The maximum group size consisted of 178 individuals whereas the minimum group size contained 53 individuals. Out of the total population adult females accounted for 54.7% in the wet and 54.56% in the dry seasons. There was a significant difference among the age-sex categories in both the wet (F 2 432 = 630, P < 0.05) and dry (F 2468 = 696.6, P < 0.05) seasons. The male to female ratio was 1:5.7 during wet season and 1:5.8 during dry season. So that the population will have a better chance to increase in the study area. Conclusion: Wof-Washa Forest could be a good site for eco-tourism activities due to the presence of endemic animals and its scenic beauty. However, the quality of the habitat is decreasing due to livestock grazing, agricultural expansion, and invasion of exotic plants species. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures should be implemented to conserve gelada baboon in particular and other wildlife resources in general.

Human-wildlife conflict is widely known situation where people and wildlife share common resource. This study was conducted to investigate the perceived impact human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in the Choke Mountains, Ethiopia. Data were collected in 2014 and 2015 using semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussion. Pearson correlation was used to test the relationship between different factors. Majority of respondents (56%) reported the existence of HWC manifested through both crop damage and livestock predation. Anubis baboon, bush pig and porcupine were identified as major crop raiders in the study area. The most prominent sheep predation was caused by common jackal (51.6%). The average crop loss per household per year was 1.56 ± 0.42 quintal. There was a strong negative correlation between the extent of crop damage event and distance of the study area from forest edge (r = -0.67, P < 0.05). The average sheep loss per household by the common jackal in the last five year was 2.12 ± 0.63. Fire wood collection in the study area is negatively correlated with distance from the natural forest (r =-0.58, P < 0.05). Encouraging local communities to prepare private grazing land from their own farmland and to keep intact the habitat of wildlife should be done.

Studies on the species composition, relative abundance and distribution of medium and large mammals were carried out from August 2015 to July 2016 in Mengaza communal forest. Data were collected using line transect technique. A total of twelve species of medium and large mammals were identified and recorded in the study area. Rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), porcupine (Hystrix cristata), honey badger (Mellivera capensis), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), Abyssinian hare (Lepus habessinicus), black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), olive baboon (Papio anubis), were among the medium mammals but Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), aardvark (Oryctropus afer), bohor reed buck (Redunca redunca) and common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were among the large mammals identified in the study area. Olive baboon (32.7%) was the most abundant species during dry and wet seasons. Mammalian species composition between the two habitats (natural forest and plantation) was not significant ( χ2 = 0.47, df =1, P > 0.05). However, there was seasonal variation in the abundance of individuals of medium and large mammals ( χ2 = 3.89, df = 1, P < 0.05). The area is facing severe degradation due to human population pressure. Therefore, there should be proper conservation of the forest to sustain the wildlife species living there.

Feeding ecology of the Ethiopian wolf was studied in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, during 2011-2012 using faecal analysis. A total of 214 faecal samples were collected from the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and a chi-square test was used to test seasonal differences in the frequency of prey item consumed. Percentage frequency of occurrence/scats and percentage frequency of occurrence/item were calculated. A Chesson index of prey preference was also calculated. Eight categories of prey items were identified from the Ethiopian wolf faecal samples. These comprised five species of rodents, sheep, birds and grass. Rodents occurred in most of the samples, and they were the most important prey items in their frequency of occurrence. Among the diurnal murid rodents (Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Lophuromys flavopunctatus and Otomys typus), A. abyssinicus (72%) was the most common species in the diet followed by L. flavopunctatus (24.3%). Arvicanthis abyssinicus was the most highly preferred prey item, with a Chesson index value of 0.3. There was no significant seasonal difference (v 2 = 2.03, d.f. = 1, P > 0.05) in the frequency of prey items recorded during the wet and dry seasons. As rodents are the main prey source of the Ethiopian wolf, they have to be protected to conserve the Ethiopian wolf in the study area.(72%), suivi de L. flavopunctatus (24.3%). A. abyssinicus etait la proie favorite, avec un indice de Chesson de 0,3. Il n'y avait pas de diff erence saisonni ere significative (v 2 = 2,03, df = 1, P > 0,05) dans la fr equence des el ements consomm es en saison s eche et en saison des pluies. Comme les rongeurs sont les proies principales du loup d' Ethiopie, ils doiventêtre prot eg es pour pr eserver ce dernier dans la zone etudi ee.

A study on population density, feeding, and reproductive ecology of rodents from Alemsaga Priority State Forest and the adjacent farmlands was conducted from July 2018-September 2020. Live and snap traps were used for capturing rodents from the study area. The Capture-Mark-Release method was employed to estimate the population size and respective density of rodents. Snap traps were used to capture rodents for body measurement and stomach content analysis. Embryo count was carried out from 64 pregnant females. Data were computed using descriptive statistics and compared with chi-square. Lophuromys simensis, Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys harringtoni, Mastomys natalensis, Stenocephalemys albipes, Rattus rattus, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Mus musculus, and Acomys cahrinus were recorded from the six habitats. The result indicated that a total of 1140 and 171 individuals were trapped in the study area with live and snap traps, respectively. The average population density of rodents was 47.4 h-1. The highest density was recorded in bushland habitat (75.1 h-l) while the least was in Carissa land (32.2h-l). In terms of species, L. simensis showed the highest density (111.65 h-l) whereas A. cahrinus was the lowest (1.7 ha-1). The overall densities of rodents were 224.82 ha-1 and 162.93 ha-1 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The total rodent biomass in the study area was 160,495 g. The number of embryos counted ranged from 4-12 and 2-8 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. However, there was no statistical significance between the two seasons (χ2 = 0.74, df=1, p> 0.05). Plant matters constituted a higher proportion of stomach contents (64.4%) compared to animal matters (13.2%). Generally, Alemsaga State Forest harbors rodent species with high density and biomass. Proper conservation of the area will contribute to the betterment of species density and biomass.