Large Mammal Diversity And The Ecology Of African Buffalo (syncerus Caffer Caffer Sparrman 1779) In Dhati Wolel National Park West Ethiopia

An investigation of the population status, habitat preference and feeding behavior of the Africanrnbuffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Dhati Wolel National Park (DhWNP) western Ethiopia was carriedrnout during 2013 ̶ 2014. Assessments of the population status and habitat preferences werernconducted within 33 line-transects varying from 3.5 to 5 km in length, spaced throughout thernPark using stratified sampling techniques. Direct observations and back-tracking assessmentsrnwere carried out to study feeding behavior. The present study identified and documented 31 largernmammal species in DhWNP. Among these, the globally threatened species such as Lionrn(Panthera leo), Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)rnand the rare species like Orbi (Ourebia ourebi), Reedbuck (Redunca redunca) and Spoted hyenarn(Crocuta crocuta) were recorded. High population abundance estimate (11294.5±36.005) ofrnAfrican buffalo was recorded. The African buffalo population in Dhati ecosystem showed arnpositive growth rate (11.7%) during the present study period. Habitat preference analysis showedrnthat S. caffer preferred high elevation areas, dominated by savanna grasslands during the rainyrnseason, while seasonally flooded grassland and permanent swamp of low elevation habitats werernpreferred during the flood season and late dry season, respectively. Among the forty-five plantrnspecies consumed by Syncerus caffer in the present study area, 30 species were Poacae family,rnwhile browse species constituted 15. Grass species such as Panicum maximum, Hyparrhenia sp.,rnCynodon dactylon, Chloris gayana and Pennisetum sp. were the principal forage component ofrnS. caffer during all seasons. Intense anthropogenic activities such as shifting cultivaton,rnsettlement, hunting and overgrazing by domestic cattle were observed in DhWNP. The extensivernanthropogenic activities in an area have threatened the biodiversity of the Park and therefore,rnimmediet actions recommended to safeguard such highly demanding ecosystem.rnKey words/phrases: African buffalo, Dhati Wolel, feeding behavior, habitat analysis, largernmammals, population status

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