Population structure and habitat use of gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) in Wof-Washa Forest (Gosh-Meda Area), Central Ethiopia

Abstract

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.

Daily Activity Pattern of Geladas (Theropithecus gelada, Ruppell 1835) in Kotu Forest, Northern Ethiopia

“…Geladas differ from baboons by the bright patch of skin on their chest [ 24 , 25 ]. The habitat is characterized by its vicinity to cliffs for sleeping and the use of several different types of relatively treeless and montane grasslands for foraging; habitats that are usually intermixed with bushes, trees, and dens thickets [ 26 – 29 ]. Among primates, geladas are excellent diggers and the only primate which has a specialized graminivorous diet [ 30 , 31 ].…”

The first large-scale record of gelada's spatial distribution and population size in Mountain chains of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

“…In this study, we reported the highest relative abundance of juvenile population size compared to a study in Gosh-Meda area, central Ethiopia [ 17 ] and Debre-Libanos [ 28 ] . This implies that there is a promising population structure despite the underlying anthropogenic threats in these mountain clusters.…”

“…Previously, geladas were believed to be range limited to the well-known and relatively accessible regions of Bale and the Simien Mountain national park. There have been several empirical studies on the gelada population structure [ 13 , [16] , [17] , [18] ], ecology [ [19] , [20] , [21] ], phylogeography [ 22 ] and distribution [ 2 , 23 ] from different localities in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, despite the historical records and museum collections indicating the historical presence of the gelada in Tigray [ 2 , 23 ], Tigray has been removed from the list of gelada home ranges [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Population structure and distribution of geladas (Theropithicus gelada, Ruppell 1835) in Kotu forest, Northern Ethiopia

“…The total count method of population census was used to determine the population size and structure of gelada in the study area. Total population census/count has been reported to be effective to determine the population size of gelada in open habitat type, where there is good visibility of individuals of gelada in various localities (Abu, 2011; Adem, 2009; Ayalew, 2009; Beehner et al, 2008; Girmay & Dati, 2020; Goshme & Yihune, 2018; Kifle et al, 2013; Moges, 2015). Likewise, the present study area is a predominately open habitat that allows reasonable visibility of individuals of gelada.…”

“…The second largest population of gelada is found in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area (MGCCA; Moges, 2015). More recently, populations of gelada are reported from Wof‐Washa Forest (Gosh‐Meda Area), central Ethiopia (Goshme & Yihune, 2018), from eastern escarpments of Tigray (Girmay & Dati, 2020), and Yegof Forest, South Wollo (Ahmed et al, 2022). Gelada population is limited to the high grassland cliff in the deep gorges in the central plateau, of the Wollo Province such as in Azwa and Arego valleys, Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP) and Mount Abune Yosef Community Conservation Area (MAYCSA; Adem, 2009; Ayalew, 2009; Eshete et al, 2015; Kifle, 2018).…”