Birds are among the key components of the earth's biodiversity. The main objective of this study was to assess the diversity and abundance of birds from three study sites in Wabe fragmented forests around Gubre sub city and Wolkite town, Guraghe zone, in April, 2018. Data were collected using line and point count techniques in the early morning (6:00-10:00 a.m.) and late afternoon (4:00-6:00 p.m.) for three consecutive days each in three study sites. During this study, a total of 692 birds belonging to 50 species, 29 Families and 14 Orders were recorded. From the 50 identified species of birds, 36 (72%) of the species were recorded from bushland habitats, while 14 and 15 species were from riverine forest and plantation habitats respectively. Order Passeriformes was numerically the dominant order represented with 22 species which accounts 44%, of the identified species, while Bucerotiformes, Charadriiformes, Ciconiformes, Coliiformes and Piciformes were the least dominant orders represented with one species each. At the family level, family Accipitridae was numerically the dominant family represented with 7 species which accounts 14 %, of the identified species. At species level, Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) was numerically the most dominant species. The total abundance of birds was significant difference (p=0.00) among the three sites. In general, highest number of individual birds were counted in bushland (410) followed by riverine forest (160) and plantation habitat (122). Furthermore, bushland area had higher value of species diversity (H'=2.89) than plantation area (H'=2.17) and riverine forests (H'=2.16). However, the study area particularly bushland and riverine forests are highly distributed due to human activities. More studies are required to make a complete list of available bird species in the study area.

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Mammal inventories are essential tools to effectively direct conservation strategies and management practices. A survey of large and medium-sized mammals was conducted in Wabe Forest fragments near to Wolkite town of Ethiopia to assess their diversity and abundance in the area and to determine their major threats. Transect method and anecdotal interviews were used to collect data for the study. A total of 12 mammal species belonging to seven orders and seven families were recorded by direct and indirect evidences. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), honey badger (Mellivera capensis), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), olive baboon (Papio anubis), and colobus guereza (Colobus guereza) were among the medium-sized mammals, and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), aardvark (Oryctropus afer), bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) and common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were the large mammals of the study area. Vervet monkey (C. aethiops) was the dominant species followed by guereza (Colobus guereza), whereas common duiker (S. grimmia), spotted hyena (C. crocuta) and bush pig (Pontamochoreus larvatus) were less common. Mammals were recorded in low population number in the study area. Simpson's Similarity Index (SI) showed a considerable overlap of species between the natural forest and scrubland habitats (0.58%) with reference to species composition. Field observation and interviews indicated illegal logging of trees for fuel wood and charcoal production, domestic dogs, road construction and extraction of construction materials, and agricultural land expansion were the main anthropogenic threats in the area. The study area harbors considerable mammals that are threatened by interacting anthropogenic factors. Urgent conservation program is needed to safeguard these animals.

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The species composition and abundance of small mammals can vary within space and time. The main objective of this study was to assess seasonal variation of non-volant small mammals from randomly selected Acacia woodland, bushland, farmland, grassland, riverine forest and wooded grassland habitats in Gibe Sheleko National Park, southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected using 49 Sharman live traps in 70 x 70 m sized square girds from December, 2018 to August, 2020. Capture mark recapture technique was applied to estimate population size of the existing small mammals and the data were analyzed using a chi-square test. A total of 1160 individual small mammals belonging to 10 species and 2 families were recorded. Three non-captured species: Hystrix cristata, Xerus rutilus and Tachyoryctes splendens were also identified. There was a significant (χ2= 31.12, df = 1, P < 0.05) difference in the total abundance of small mammals between seasons. Of the total individuals captured, 675(58.19%) were trapped during the wet season while 485(41.81%) individuals were during the dry season. Significant seasonal variation was also observed in the total abundance of both sexes, i e. males (χ2= 11.99, df = 1, P < 0.05) and females (χ2= 20.24, df = 1, P < 0.05). Among age groups, significant statistical seasonal variation was shown in adults (χ2=15.14, df = 1, P < 0.05) and young (χ2=44.61, df = 1, P < 0.05) but not significant in sub-adults (χ2=0.75, df = 1, P >0.05). The identified small mammals exhibited seasonal changes in their abundance associated with changes in climatic and environmental conditions. However, a long-term and annual based study is required to see the overall dynamics of existing small mammals.