Population Status and Habitat Association of Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus Buselaphus Swaynei(Sclater, 1892)) in Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

We investigated the population status and habitat association of the endemic Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei (Sclater, 1892)) in Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia, in 2018 and 2019. Sample count method line-transect was used for the population estimation, while habitat association was made based on the abundance of individuals counted in each habitat. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with χ2 test. The total estimated populations of Swayne’s Hartebeest (SHB) in the study period were 1456 and 1492 during wet and dry seasons, respectively showing no seasonal variation. Among the total estimated population, 31% were adult males, 38.46% adult females, 13.97% sub adult males, 15.94% sub adult females and 1.07% young. The number of adult females was higher than the other age groups followed by adult males in both seasons. Significant differences were reported among age and sex structure of population size during both seasons (wet season: χ2= 58.423, df =3, P < 0.05; dry season: χ2=534.079, df= 4, P < 0.05). The maximum group size was 36 and the minimum was 1. The ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:1.24 and 1:1.24, sub-adult males to sub adult females was 1:1.16 and 1:1.12, adult males to sub-adult males was 1:0.36 and 1:0.56, adult females to sub-adult females was 1:0.33 and 1:0.49 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The male to female ratio was 1:1.22 and 1:1.19 during wet and dry seasons as well. The population trend among ten years were significantly differed (χ2 = 1.708, df= 9, P< 0.05). The SHB was distributed into three types of habitat (riverine forest, open grassland and scattered tree) with significant differences (χ2=1109.937, df = 3, P < 0.05). The savannah grass land was most preferable habitat followed by scattered tree habitat. Maintaining its critical habitat was highly recommended for sustainability of current population status.

The population size and distribution of diurnal large wild mammals in southern Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia

“…e possible reasons for this distribution of large mammalian species might be due to the presence of food, water, and stability of the area from human disturbances. According to Tolcha et al [15], the availability of quality forage and other resources determines the habitat preference and association of ungulates. Besides, the effects of different predator abundances not captured in the present study might also be possible drivers affecting the habitat selection by the antelope species that have been shown to avoid certain habitat types due to an increased risk of predation [16,17].…”