Afework Bekele

Addis Ababa University | AAU · Department of Zoological Sciences

Theropithecus gelada is endemic to Ethiopia, mainly in the northern part of the Ethiopian plateau. Despite the relatively long-term research efforts on the population and behavioural ecology of geladas, and its conflict with humans in protected areas, these data are lacking in unprotected areas. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine po...

African wolves (Canis lupaster) and Ethiopian wolves (C. simensis) occur often sympatrically across habitats in the Ethiopian Highlands, with recent studies finding evidence for interspecific competition. However, unlike the well-studied Ethiopian wolf, comparatively little is known about the ecology of the African wolf in the Ethiopian Highlands....

Primates in the tropics are highly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation as they depend on the forest for survival. Thus, reliable population and distribution data are crucial to identifying priority sites for conservation and designing effective management plans in the deforested region. To date, the population size and distribution of blac...

Little is known about the effect of anthropogenic habitat disturbances on the group size and population structure of geladas (Theropithecus gelada), even though such data are crucial to implementing successful conservation actions and management plans. In this study, we compared the group size and composition of gelada populations inhabiting protec...

Estimating population densities is essential for understanding primate ecology and for guiding conservation efforts. Such information, however, is still scarce for many forest primates. The Djaffa Mountains guereza ( Colobus guereza gallarum ) is an Ethiopian endemic taxon for which information about their distribution and population size are missi...

A baseline for primate conservation is information on population density. Such evidence, however, is still scarce for tropical forest monkeys, who are under threat from habitat loss due to deforestation, land conversion for agriculture, climate change, illicit hunting, habitat fragmentations, logging, and other disturbances. Detailed studies on pop...

The present study was carried out to describe the species composition, diversity, distribution, and species richness of endemic frog species in the Keffa area, southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected during the wet and dry seasons from 2018 to 2021. The survey was conducted through visual encounters, opportunistic observations, and acoustic encount...

An endangered Ethiopian wolf has been declining because of climate change coupled with various anthropogenic disturbances, resulted in restricted geographic distribution. Knowledge of the effects of these stressors on animal distribution is vital to promoting conservation campaigns and implementing effective management strategies. We used the MaxEn...

A study about the spatial distribution and density of common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) was conducted in two focal areas in Dabena Valley Forest, Western Ethiopia, from May 2016 to June 2018. These were Gassi Controlled Area (GCHA) in the southwestern part and Haro Aba Diko Controlled Hunting Area (HADCHA) in the northeastern part of the Vall...

Primates show dietary flexibility as a result of spatial and temporal variation in the food availability which in turn influences the ecology of a species. Southern geladas (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) are endemic subspecies of gelada that inhabit in north central Ethiopian Highlands. During the 18 months of the first intensive study period, we...

The diurnal time-activity budget and habitat use of the Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus were studied at Boyo Wetland and Bale Mountains National Park. The study was carried out in four habitats (agricultural land, grassy field, mudflat, and shallow wetland) at Boyo Wetland and two habitats (grassland and swampy habitat) in the Bale Mountains....

Understanding the impacts of climate change, landscape composition, topographic attributes, and anthropogenic disturbance on wildlife distribution is critical to selecting prior conservation areas and to executing successful management plans. Habitat suitability mapping aims to predict species' ecological niches and ranges using these factors as pr...

Understanding the behavioural ecology of primates in human disturbance areas is crucial to developing conservation management plan. Southern geladas (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) are endemic subspecies of geladas that are threatened by habitat loss and degradation in the Ethiopian Highlands. During the 18‐months period, we conducted this intensiv...

Given the current rate of habitat degradation and loss in the tropics, data on primate population densities and habitat use are indispensable for assessing conservation status and designing feasible management plans for primates. The Omo River guereza (Colobus guereza guereza) is a subspecies of the eastern black-and-white colobus monkey endemic to...

Swayne's hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei was once widely distributed in the Horn of Africa. By the early 20th century, however, it was extirpated across most of its range and is now limited to two relict populations in the Ethiopian Rift Valley and categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In this study, we estimated the size and gen...

Behavioral responses in wildlife due to human activities may often go unnoticed but have significant effects on population viability. This is a particular concern with endangered species characterized by small population sizes. From June 2016 to May 2017, we measured the effects of human activities on daily the activity budget and home range size o...

Most of Ethiopia’s National Parks are affected by anthropogenic factors. The objective of this study was to assess the major wildlife threatening factors of Gibe Sheleko National Park (GSNP) through semi-structured questionnaire, focus groups discussion and observation. The survey was carried out from December, 2018 to August, 2020. A total of 281...

Abstract Ethiopian shade coffee plantations are well documented to be bird-friendly and act as refuges for disappearing tree species. The extent to which these plantations support mammal conservation, as well as mammal sensitivity to coffee intensification, remain little studied. We studied the distribution and diversity of mammals under three coff...

Studying the dietary flexibility of primates that live in human-modified environments is crucial for understanding their ecological adaptations as well as developing management and conservation plans. Southern gelada (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) is an endemic little-known subspecies of gelada that inhabits human-modified landscapes in the northe...

To assess feeding ecology and diet preferences of common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin, 1788), the study was conducted in Gassi Controlled Area (GCHA) and in Haro Aba Diko Controlled Hunting Area (HADCHA) from May 2017 to June 2018. Diet composition of common warthog was determined using feeding quadrat and microhistological methods. Fro...

Populations of large mammals have declined at alarming rates, especially in areas with intensified land use where species can only persist in small habitat fragments. To support conservation planning, we developed habitat suitability models for the Walia ibex (Capra walie), an endangered wild goat endemic to the Simen Mountains, Ethiopia. We calibr...

Ethiopian shade coffee plantations are well documented to be bird-friendly and act as refuges for disappearing tree species. The extent to which these plantations support mammal conservation, as well as mammal sensitivity to coffee intensification, remain little studied. We studied the distribution and diversity of mammals under three coffee manage...

Threats to the survival of wild primate population have greatly increased. Most primate populations today face ongoing habitat disturbance, yet not all species respond to disturbance the same way, while many primate species experience declines in population density. There is no much information on the population status and density of primates in Ze...

Home range and activity patterns of animals are important elements for wildlife management and conservation practices. We examined seasonal home range and daily activity patterns of the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Maze National Park, Ethiopia. We tracked two groups of Swayne’s hartebeests in open grassland for...

Dietary responses to the habitat heterogeneity resulting from anthropogenic disturbance vary among primates. Some species alter their foraging strategy and continue to thrive in human-modified habitats while others are unable to modify their diets sufficiently to cope with such disturbance. Over a 12-mo period, we investigated the feeding ecology o...

The African Civet (Civettictis Civetta Shreber, 1778) is one of the important natural animal resources of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the major producer of the Civet perineal gland secretion (known as “civet”) used extensively as a base in perfume industry. However, there is no improvement in civet farming processes in rural Ethiopia, and the farmers sti...

The African civet (Civettictis civetta Shreber 1778) is one of the important natural animal resources of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the major producer of the civet perineal gland secretion (known as “civet”) used extensively as a base in perfume industry. However, there is no improvement in civet farming processes in rural Ethiopia, and the farmers stil...

Abstract: To identify chemical composition of lick soil and function of soil ingested by common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus), the study was conducted in Gassi Controlled Area (GCHA); southwestern and in Haro Aba Diko Controlled Hunting Area (HADCHA) northeastern Dabena Valley Forest from May 2016 to June 2018. Top soil samples licked by common...

Geladas are the most distinctive of Ethiopian endemic mammals, representing the last extant species of primate genus that have a very restricted distribution in the northern Ethiopian plateau. e activity budget and feeding ecology of geladas (eropithecus gelada obscurus) were studied around Abogedam Church, Ethiopia, from May to October 2014, encom...

Species composition, habitat association and altitudinal distribution of rodents and shrews were assessed in Chato Protected Area, Ethiopia, between July, 2015 and March, 2016. The area was stratified into five habitats based on dominant vegetation types and altitudinal zonation. The habitats were Carissa spinarum-Justicia schimperiana, Maytenus gr...

This study was carried out in Gefersa Artificial Reservoir and its surrounding habitat. Sampling sites were taken using stratified random sampling technique, where three habitats; Aquatic, grassland and woodland habitats were selected. Line and point transect methods were used to count birds based on habitat characteristics. Data were analyzed usin...

en Understanding the extent of human–primate conflict is crucial to the development of conservation and management strategies. We carried out this study in an unprotected area of central Ethiopia to examine the magnitude of human–hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) conflict and to assess the attitude of local farmers towards baboons in Wonchit Valle...

Geladas are the most distinctive of Ethiopian endemic mammals, representing the last extant species of primate genus that have a very restricted distribution in the northern Ethiopian plateau. The activity budget and feeding ecology of geladas (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) were studied around Abogedam Church, Ethiopia, from May to October 2014, e...

Humanwildlife conflict presents major challenges to both wildlife managers and rural livelihoods. Here, we investigated humanwildlife conflict in and around Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS). We estimated the densities of wild animals within SSHS and conducted questionnaire interviews about livestock predation and crop raiding patterns w...

Reliable data on the distribution and threats facing primate species are crucial to identifying priority sites for conservation and designing effective management plans. Boutourlini’s blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis boutourlinii) is a little-known arboreal primate endemic to the forests of western Ethiopia. This subspecies is categorized as Vulner...

Bushmeat hunting is a secret activity posing threats to wildlife in protected areas of Ethiopia. Yet, information about bushmeat hunting practices are limited. Hence, this study aimed to assess the practices of bushmeat hunting in Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest. Data were obtained from 248 individuals of six Farmer Associations using open and closed e...

A study on density estimate and habitat association of Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) in Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest, Ethiopia, was carried out from 2016-2017 encompassing the wet and dry seasons. The density of Cape buffalo was estimated indirectly through faecal standing crop and faecal accumulation rate dung count methods. Dung piles were...

Walia ibex (Capra walie) is an endangered and endemic species restricted to Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia. Data on activity patterns of walia ibex were collected during October 2009 to November 2011, and the main objective of the research was to determine diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex in Simien Mountains National Park in...

Primates inhabiting human-modified landscapes often exploit matrix habitat to supplement their diet with cultivated foods, at times resulting in economic losses and conflict with local people. Understanding human-nonhuman primate interactions and the attitudes and perceptions of local people towards crop feeding species are crucial to designing eff...

covering wet and dry seasons. Sampling sites were taken based on the habitat characteristics and a transect line of 1 or less km with a distance of 250 to 300 m in between the transect lines was taken in the woodland habitat and point count was used in the riverine forest habitat. A total of 116 bird species consisting of 2 endemics to both Ethiopi...

Understanding the extent of human-primate conflict in areas where habitat overlap reaches at maximum level between local farmers and primates is crucial to developing conservation and management strategies. One of the threats of southern geladas (Theropithecus gelada obscurus) is conflict with the local farmers due to cereal crop raiding. This stud...

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...

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 h...

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 h...

The study on the population status, foraging behavior and diurnal activity pattern of oribi (Ourebia ourebi) were carried out in Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary from August 2005 to March 2006 during the wet and dry seasons. Direct observation of selected oribi groups was made to study activity patterns. The total count method was used in an a...

Diurnal activity patterns of oribi (Ourebia ourebi) reveals how animals cope with changing environmental conditions in securing food and escaping enemies. It was studied during the wet and dry seasons for three years in Ethiopia.). Based on the result of the present study, feeding constituted the highest (57.58%) activity pattern compared to other...

A study on current population status, sex ratio and age structures of Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) was carried out during 2009/2010 in Maze National Park. Total count method was used in an area of 220 km2 using well trained park scouts based on silent detection. There were 372 individuals counted. The population trend indicat...

Naked mole rats are subterranean eusocial rodents native to Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. They are most unusual mammals because of their several exceptional features. They possess several morphological and physiological adaptive features that suit their life and are known by their adaptations to harsh environments, exceptional longevity and healthy...

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 h...

A small collection of bats composed of six species from Dire Dawa area, eastern Ethiopia, is presented. Besides three species previously known in the region, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Epomophorus minimus and Chaerephon pumilus, three bats were newly documented from the area, Rhinopoma microphyllum, R. cystops and Scotophilus leucogaster. R. microphyll...

This study was conducted to determine the species composition and diversity of medium and large‐sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Ethiopia. Surveys were conducted to record mammals through direct observation and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely: natural forest, bushland, and riverine forest. A total of 15 mammalian...

National Park (BSNP), accumulating 845 h of focal observation across 2952 feeding events. We also monitored rodent abundance and rodent trapping activity by local farmers who experience conflict with AWs. The AW diet consisted largely of rodents (22.0%), insects (24.8%), and goats and sheep (24.3%). Of the total rodents captured by farmers using lo...

Introduction The availability of preferred habitats determine the spatial and temporal distribution of herbivores in savanna ecosystems and is crucial for developing conservation strategies of targeted wildlife species. Habitat preference of large grazers in connection to grass height and post-fire effect has been debated for the last century. Here...

To cope with climate change and population growth, the continent urgently needs more home-grown researchers, argue Anagaw Atickem, Nils Chr. Stenseth and colleagues. To cope with climate change and population growth, the continent urgently needs more home-grown researchers, argue Anagaw Atickem, Nils Chr. Stenseth and colleagues. Students work at a...

This study investigated the diet composition of Cape buffalo in Jorgo-Wato Protected Forest. Diet composition was determined through feeding quadrat survey method. Grass as a mode of diet contributed 82.6%, whereas browse contributed 17.4% to the annual diet of Cape buffalo. Graminoids (Poaceae and Cyperaceae) formed the bulk of food available and...

Black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza Rüppell, 1835) are arboreal Old World monkeys inhabiting large parts of the deciduous and evergreen forests of sub-Saharan Africa. Two of the eight subspecies of Colobus guereza are endemic to Ethiopia: C. g. gallarum and C. g. guereza. However, the validity of the Ethiopian taxa is debated and observed morp...