Population Ecology of Menelik’s Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki, Neumann 1902) from Denkoro Forest Proposed National Park, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Population status, structure, habitat association and feeding behaviour of Menelik’s Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki) were studied in Denkoro Forest Proposed National Park, Ethiopia from August 2008 to March 2009. Transect and silent detection methods were employed for population assessment. A total of 230 individuals was estimated with a population density of 11.75 km^-2. The population was female biased. Male to female ratio was 1.0:1.5 and the ratio of young to female was 1.0:7.5. The age structure was 59.26% adult, 33.33% sub-adult and 7.41% young. Group size varied within seasons. They were highly associated to forest habitat and more distributed in the Erica woodland than the Festuca grassland. Menelik’s Bushbuck consumed 46 plant species which consisted of 19 herbs, 13 shrub, 12 trees and two lianas. Leaves and young shoots comprised the largest proportion of the food items consumed. Peak activities were observed early morning and late afternoon hours with resting peak during the mid-day.