The effect of season and post-fire on habitat preferences of the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Maze National Park, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The availability of preferred habitats determines the spatial and temporal distribution of herbivores in savanna ecosystems. Understanding habitat preference of a targeted wildlife species is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Habitat preference of large grazers in connection to grass height and post-fire effect has been debated for the last century. Here, we examined the effects of season, grass height and burning on the habitat preference on Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Maze National Park. Data for seasonal habitat selection were collected using both direct observation along established transect lines and pellet counting using permanently established plots. Every month, we measured grass height commonly preferred by Swayne's hartebeest in grassland habitat. Starting from the first week of burning, we recorded the abundance of Swayne's hartebeest in both burned and unburned grassland patches.Results: From detected pellets, 94.3% were recorded in the grassland habitat indicating that other habitat types are less used despite their extensive cover > 50% of the Park. During wet and early dry seasons, Swayne's hartebeest exclusively preferred grassland habitat. We found that 85.2% (n=1,079) and 85.3% (n=593) of individuals observed in areas with a grass height below 30 cm during wet and early dry seasons, respectively; while 70.9% (n=2,288) preferred grass height below 30 cm during the dry season. The density of Swayne's hartebeest in burned grassland area was higher than unburned grassland areas up to 150 days since burning. However, in unburned grassland areas, the density was initially low but showed increasing trend for consecutive days, reaching similar density with burned areas after 150 days since burning. Conclusion: Swayne's hartebeest exclusively preferred grassland habitat, particularly during wet and early dry seasons, shortest available grass height in all seasons and were attracted to burned grassland areas. Our results suggested that fire played an important role in maintaining habitat quality in grassland, and that management should continue using controlled burning as a tool for the conservation of Swayne's hartebeest. However, we remain cautious of our findings given the paucity of information regarding other confounding factors and the absence of long-term data on fire disturbance.

Human–wildlife conflict and coexistence: a case study from Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary in Ethiopia

“…In this study, we explored human–wildlife conflict in and around Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS), a small protected area in southern Ethiopia where a relict population of the Ethiopian endemic Swayne's hartebeest persists. Along with Maze National Park (Tamrat et al 2020), SSHS is one of the only two sites where this endangered species remains extant (IUCN 2017). SSHS is also home to a variety of other herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous mammals, and is set in a human‐dominated landscape where local people engage in farming and livestock husbandry.…”

Swayne's hartebeest in Ethiopia: population estimate, genetic variability and competition with livestock

“…The Park was initially established as a controlled hunting area and designated as a National Park in 2005 (Mamo et al, 2012). The Park has an area of 175 km 2 , includes several permanent rivers, and the vegetation is open grassland with scattered savannah woodland, bushland habitats and riverine forests (Tamrat et al, 2020).…”

“…Habitat loss, competition with livestock for grazing and extensive hunting have further reduced the species’ population and range (Lewis & Wilson, 1979; Flagstad et al, 2000; Datiko & Bekele, 2011). By 2019, Swayne's hartebeest was restricted to two isolated populations in Ethiopia (Tamrat et al, 2020). It was categorized as Endangered in 1986 and remains so as a result of habitat loss, competition with livestock and illegal hunting (IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, 2017).…”