Population Status, Trends and Habitat Use Type of Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) In Bale Mountains National Park Southeastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT   This study was carried out in Bale Mountains National Park Southeastern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to investigate the population structure, trends and habitat use of Mountain Nyala in three major habitat types (Gesse grassland, Woodland (Head quarter), Afroalpine habitats) which were identified by and sampled. Population counts of Mountain Nyala was carried out using stratified systematic transect line sampling method in the study area 25 transect line ranged from 0.2-3.5 km was made. In the study area about 2156 Mountain Nayala were counted in the wet season and 2032 individual Mountain Nyala were counted during the dry season. A total of 199 groups of Mountain Nyala were found in wet season and also 190 groups of this animal were counted in dry season in the study area. Of which, 142 groups observed in Gesse grassland, 39 groups observed in head quarter and 9 groups were observed in Afro-alpine during wet season. About 77.87% Mountain Nyala were observed in Gesse grassland and the rest 16.04% and 6.09% were observed in head quarter and Afro-alpine respectively. Likewise, in dry season about 80.31%, 17.03% and 2.66 were seen in Gesse, head quarter and Afro-alpine habitat respectively. Moreover, the study identified that the total number of Female juvenile groups was higher than the total group number of each groups. As the study show from the total wet season counted Mountain Nyala about 28.64 % were Female juvenile groups and about 31.05% of total count in dry season was also Female juvenile groups. Regarding to the trend of the population of Mountain Nyala it is irregular in each particular period of time. For instance in Gesse and Afro alpine sites the population were increased from 2013 to 2014, whereas, the number of this animal were decreased from 2014 to 2016 and since 2016 the number of Mountain Nyala is increasing. Regarding to the distribution and habitat preference of Mountain Nyala from the total counted Mountain Nyala about77.87% populations were found in Gesse grass land and the other 16.04% and 6.09% found in Afro alpine and Head Quarter respectively. Again Mountain Nyala prefer mostly Gesse open grassland habitat type and also Gesse forest and Gesse Bush land habitat types. To this end, regular assessment, monitoring and evaluation of Mountain Nyala and other wildlife population and conservation threats are essential for better conservation measures.