LARGE MAMMALS DIVERSITY AND THREATS IN BORENA SAYINT WEREHIMENONATIONAL PARK NOTHERN PART OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the African countries with high (320) mammalian species that distributed throughout the country, particularly the protected areas like Borena Sayint Werehimeno National park. The aim of the study was to identify large mammal’s diversity and threats in BSWNP. The Data for This Study Was Collected Questionnaires, Key Informant Interview, Field Observation and Secondary Sources. 50 respondents’ was selected purposefully based on their extensive knowledge, experience, local elders, scout and involvement with in the study area. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The study was conducted by stratifying the habitat types of the study area as Riverine forest, Erica wood land and open grass habitat based on land cover features. Across the stratified habitats type riverine forest 14, Erica wood land 10 and open grass land 8 species and Simpson similarity index (SI) of large mammal species among three habitats are 31.25 % of the species were common for all three habitats and endemic large mammal such as gelada baboon, Menelik bushbuck and Ethiopian wolf. Most of mammals of the park were critically endangered, vulnerable and list concern species. Threats of large mammals in the park are both human and natural forces. Mitigation measurements of threats of large mammals are creating awareness about the importance of potential tourism resources found in the park for community and giving a proper training to all stockholders, proper implementation of formulate rules and regulation, to promote and conservation practice development works on the park.