Journal of Wildlife

Journal of Wildlife

Current Issue Volume No: 1 Issue No: 1

Review-article Article Open Access
  • Available online freely Peer Reviewed
  • Distribution Of Protected Area And Large-sized Mammals Order In Ethiopia

    1 Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Nech Sar National Park, Arba Minch 

    Abstract

    Ethiopia is one of the countries found in the eastern horn of Africa, which is endowed with beautiful landscape and topography from which diverse habitats and fauna composition. The objective of this paper is to review relevant documents on distribution of protected area and large-sized mammals order in Ethiopia. The Method of the data were by compiling related information from different sources like published articles grey literature and other office reports from concerned institutions. Altitudinal and geographical variations made the Ethiopia to be among the biodiversity-rich nations in the world. Mammal fauna in Ethiopia consists of 326 species, among 144 genera, 43 families and 14 orders; out of which 32 mammals of the country categories under critically threated group. Among the mammals in Ethiopia eight of them are endemic. Among mammals antelopes are flagships (charismatic). The large mammals are mainly concentrated in the south and southwest border.

    Author Contributions
    Received Jan 20, 2023     Accepted Feb 15, 2023     Published Feb 22, 2023

    Copyright© 2023 Haile Chankallo Tamirat.
    License
    Creative Commons License   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

    Competing interests

    The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

    Funding Interests:

    Citation:

    Haile Chankallo Tamirat (2023) Distribution Of Protected Area And Large-sized Mammals Order In Ethiopia Journal of Wildlife. - 1(1):17-27
    DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2248.jwl-23-4439

    Introduction

    Introduction

    Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa between 30N and 150 00’N longitude and 330 00’E and 480 00’E latitudes and covers an area of 1.13 million km² (of which 1.12 and 0.01 million km² are land and water bodies, respectively) 12. There are five biomes and various sets of ecosystems 34. The altitudinal difference ranges from the highest peak at Ras Dashen (4620 m) to (126 m) below sea level in the Afar depression 3. Such altitudinal and geographical variations made the country to be among the biodiversity-rich nations in the world 25. The country has established several protected areas since the 1960‟s. There are more than 175 protected areas under different categories in the country 6. The oldest protected areas in the country are Menagesha suba community-managed forest, Awash National Park, Simen Mountain National Park, Abijatta-Shalla Lakes National Park, and Gambela National Park 7. Mammals are mainly concentrated in the southern parts and southwest border and adjacent areas of the country 8. The mountain massifs in the north and centre parts are also home to many endemic species of mammals 9810. The Ethiopian highly comprised by wildlife fauna and flora 6, which results in the countries’ status as a global biodiversity hotspot 6911. The Objective of the Review Paper is to review the protected area and Distribution of large-sized mammals in Ethiopia.The Methods All the data here were compiled from different documents available in wide relevant sources (Such as, published articles, Google Scholars; web of sciences, science hubs using some important Keywords. Among the few online searching were mammals, biodiversity, distribution Ethiopia mammals. In this review paper is more than 44 published articles were reviewed.

    Biomes and ecosystems in ethiopia

    Ethiopia is stratified into five main ecological zones; The Sudanian, Congo-Guinean, Sahel arid zone, Somali-Maasai, and the Afro-tropical and montane 112. These geographical diversities form sets of new twelve major distinct vegetation zones or ecosystems 3. These are (1) Desert and semi-desert scrubland, (2) Acacia-Commiphora woodland and bushland, (3) Wooded grassland of the western Gambela region, (4) Combretum-Terminalia woodland and wooded grassland, (5) Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and grassland complex, (6) Moist evergreen Afromontane forest, (7) Transitional rainforest, (8) Ericaceous belt, (9) Afroalpine belt, (10) Riverine vegetation, (11) Freshwater lakes, lakeshores, marshes, swamps and flood plains vegetation, and (12) Salt-water lakes, lakeshores, salt marshes and pan vegetation These varieties of ecosystems have brought an extremely diverse flora and fauna 234Table 1

    protected areas under different categories and management pages of Ethiopia
    No. Protected Areas Federal Region Total
    1 National parks 14 13 27
    2 Wildlife Sanctuaries 2 - 2
    3 Wildlife Reserves 1 4 5
    4 Community Conservation Areas - 10 10
    5 Open Hunting Area - 6 6
    6 Controlled Hunting areas - 25 25
    7 Biosphere Reserves areas - 4 4
    8 wildlife rescue centres - 6 6
    9 National Reserve Forest areas - 95 95
    Diversity of ethiopia mammals

    The country is also rich in its faunal diversity 4. The Ethiopian mammal fauna consists of 326 species, under 144 genera, 43 families and 14 orders 69. The number of mammals in Ethiopia is much higher than in other African countries 8. Ethiopia contains over 55 endemic small and large mammals 812. More than 60% of the mammal species in the country are large-sized; of the total number of mammals known to exist in the country, 57 mammalian species are endemic (i.e.,36 rodents, 10 shrews, 3 bats, 2 primates, 5 artiodactyls, and 1 carnivore) 813. Table 2

    Wildlife (fauna and flora) resources of Ethiopia.
    No. Main Category numbers of Species Numbers of Endemic Species
    1 Mammals 326 57
    2 Birds 918 19
    3 Reptiles, 240 25
    4 Fish 200 41 fresh- water fishes
    5 Amphibians 79
    6 Arthropods 1,225 7
    7 Butterflies 324 -

    There are 32 threatened mammals under three categories Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable. Among threatened mammal species recorded, 19 are large-sized mammalian and only 13 are small mammals 8. Among these eight are larger mammals: Ethiopia wolf (Canis simensis)Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada), Menelik’s bushbuck (Tragelaphus scripusMeneliki)Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), Starch’s hare (Lepus Starcki)Swayne’s, hartebeest (Alcelaphusbuselaphus), Bale monkey (Chlorocebusdjamdjamensis) and Waliai Ibex (Capra walie), and the rest are smaller ones including 3, 7 and 36 species of bats, insectivores and rodents, respectively 8914. (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8) Source 6.

    Tragelaphus buxtoni Canis simensis Tragelaphus scripus Meneliki Theropithecus gelada Chorocebus djamdjamenosis Capra walie  Alcelaphus buselaphus Lepus Starcki

    The threatened large-sized mammals include Black Rhinoceros (Dicerosbicornis), Grevy's Zebra (Equugrevyi), Wild Ass (African Equus africanus), Walia Ibex (Capra walle) and Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) 81415. The charismatic large mammals in the country are Beisa Oryx (Taurotragus oryx), Swayne’Hartebeest (Alcelaphusbuselaphus), Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), Grant gazelle (Nangergranti), Somali Wild Ass (Equus africanus somalienisis), Grevy’s Zebra (Equugrevyi), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnusdefessa), Serval Cat (Felis serval), Elephant (Loxodonta african), Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), Buffalo (syncerruscaffer), Dibatag (Ammodorcasclarkei), Gerenuk (Litocraniuswalleri), Long-necked Antelopes (Hippotragus equinus) and other plain animals inhabit ecosystem 59. (Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11). Source 6.

    Equu grevyi Equus africanus soma lienisis Giraffa camelopardalis
    Primates’ distribution and habitat

    The present distribution and habitat of the order Primates species in Ethiopia are well documented 71617. The following primate distribution and habitats are presented as per the studies mentioned by the authors above. Hamadryads’ baboon (Papio hamadryas) found in North, Northwest, East, Southeast, Awash National Park and Kafata Shiraro National Park. It lives in the rocky hill arid areas. It mostly prefers lower altitudes bellows 100 masl 18. The Anubis baboon (Papio Anubis) distributed everywhere in Ethiopia, except an Eastern border 192021. The Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada) distributed in the country in the highland area, especially in the North central and Eastern Rift Valley. The habitat is mainly on montane grassland cliffs and slope areas 914.

    The Vervet monkey (Chlorocebuspygerythrus) found in Ethiopia through widespread except an extreme Northeast border. The Vervet monkey (Chlorocebuspygerythrus) live in the riverine forest, woodland, and forest 19202223. The Blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) distributed in the country Northwest and Southwest part of the country. The habitat types include, densely vegetated habitat 14. The DE Brazza’s monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) found in an extreme Southwestern border. It lives in mainly lowland associations. The habitats types are mainly swamped forest bamboo thickets, and dense forests 2324. The Patas monkey (Erytherocebuspatas) distributed in Ethiopia West, Southwest, and Eastward to Djibouti. The main habitat types are open dry savanna and rocky area 25. The colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) distributed in Ethiopia central parts, except the North parts. It lives in habitat includes forestland and riverine forest 202326.

    Perissodactyla distribution and habitat

    The name Perissodactyla means odd-toed. This group of ungulates includes Horses families and Rhinoceros (Dicerosbicornis). The present distributions of the order Perissodactyla species in Ethiopia are as follows: African wildass are distributed in Ethiopia mainly in the northeast. It lives in arid rugged hills and desert plains 7927. The Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) found in Afar and Chew bahar area. Its habitat is mainly open woodland savanna flat, broken hills, and semi-desert plains 727. The other Perissodactyla mammal is the Burchell zebra (Equus quagga) distributed in the Southern Ethiopia. The habitat types include open woodland, and savanna grassland in Nech Sar National Park, Omo National Park, Mago National Park, and Borena National Park 20 The Black rhinoceros (Dicerosbicornis) is one of the big five mammals in Africa, which found in Ethiopia.They distributed in south Ethiopia, Omo National Park, and Kenya border of Boma National Park. It manily lives in the shrub’s lands 7917.

    Artiodactyla distribution and habitat

    The orders Artiodactyla are known as the even-toed mammals and have antlers, and horns. All Bovidae are members of the Artiodactyla including the antelopes and Buffalos of the world. Most antelope species are charismatic or flagships for the protected area of Ethiopia. The present distribution of the Order Artiodactyla species in Ethiopia follows: Common Warthog (Phacochoerus Africanus) distributed throughout all protected areas of the country. It lives in the forestland, open grassland, and woodland 282930. The Bushpig (Potamochoeruslarvatus) covers a large area, except around Ogaden. They live mainly in dense forests area 202331. The Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerusmeinertzhageni) distributed in montane ecosystem. It is rare species and lives as in dense forests 1923.

    The Hippopotamus are one of the five big mammal species in Africa 25. The Hippopotamidae families are members of the Artiodactyla. The Hippopotamus found in the Rift Valley lakes, and Nile systems. The Rift Valley lakes are Lake Tana, Abaya, Chamo, and the major rivers, Awash, Omo, and Nile systems. It lives in herds at aquatic environment 91727. All families of Giraffes are members of the Artiodactyla. The Reticulated Giraffe are also one of the five big mammals’ species in Eastern Africa. The home range in Southwest Ethiopia, Gambella National Park through Omo, Mago National Park, Tama community managed wildlife reserves, and South Ethiopia to Borena National Park. The most preferred habitat for Giraffe are savanna plain, wooded grassland and scattered bushland 7916.

    The Black Buffalo (Syncerruscaffer) is one of the largest five big terrestrial wild animals in Eastern Africa, and they distributed Northwest, West, and Southwest parts of Ethiopia. It lives in open savannas grassland, wooded grassland, forestland and riparian associations 172324. The Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx) found in the country only in Omo National Park and Boma National Park in Southern Sudan. They live in savanna wooded grassland, and plain grassland 732. The Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) distributed in Northwest and Southeast parts of the country. Preferred habitats for kudus are open savanna, wooded grassland, and broken hill associations 202231. The Lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) found in Southwest and Southeast parts of the country. The main home range area is wooded grassland, bushland, open plain, sometimes in forestland and mountain hills 202431. The Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) are one of the endemic mammal species in the country and they are particularly distributed in Arsi Bale massifs; Chercher highland, and Bale Mountains National Park. They main habitat types are montane forest, heath, and moorlands 3334. The Menelik’s bushbuck (Tragelaphus scripusMeneliki) is one of the endemic mammals in Ethiopia, and they distributed in Arsi Bale massifs, Chercher highland; Menagesha suba community-managed forest, Borena saynt National Park, Semin Mountains National Park and Gussa-community protected area. It lives in the montane forest, heath, moorlands 71421.

    The Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) are distributed in the North, Northwest, East, and Southeast parts of the country 9. The main habitat types are riverine woodland, thickets, sparse tree, and bush 202223. The Beisa Oryx (Taurotragus oryx) found in the East and southern parts of the country particularly in the Awash National Park, Hallidage National Park, Babile National Park and Borena National Park. The suitable habitat types are open savanna grassland and woodland 24. The Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) distributed in the North and Western parts of the contry commonly in Gambella National Park. It lives in tall grass and wooded grassland 9.

    The Defassa waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnusdefessa) distributed area in the Southern, Northwest, eastward to Djibouti as well as at Nech Sar National Park, Omo National Park, Mago National Park, Chebera Chuchura National Park, Maze National Park and Alatish National Park. It lives in the open woodland usually wooded grassland near rivers and near to water 3135. The White-eared kob (Kobus kobleucotis) found in Gambela National Park. It lives in the swamped and flooded grassland. The Bohor reedbuck (Reduncaredunca) distributed in the northwest central and southwest parts of the country. The main habitat types are reed beds, floodplains and grassland (Vreugdenhil et al., 2012). The Klipspringer (Oreotragusoreotragus) distributed in central and southwest parts of the country. The habitat types are mountainous and rocky slopes 736.

    The Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphusbuselaphus) one of the endemic mammal species in Ethiopia, and they are found in Senkelle wildlife sanctuary and Maze National Park. It lives in the wooded grassland and open grassland 2831. The Tora hartebeest (Alcelaphusbuselaphustora) the found in the Northwest parts of Ethiopia. It lives in the wooded grassland, and plain. The Lelwel hartebeest (Alcelaphusbuselaphuslelwel) distributed in Southwest Ethiopia. The main habitat types are wooded grassland and open grassland 32. The Gerenuk (Litocraniuswalleri) distributed in Southeast Ethiopia. It lives in the thorn scrub and thickets. The Dibatag (Ammodorcasclarkei) found in the Ogaden region. The main habitat types are bushland and open scrubland 732. The Soemmring’s gazelle (Nangersoemmerringii) distributed in the North, East and Southeast parts of the country. It lives in grassland and open scrubland 3738. The Grant’s gazelle (Nangergranti) found in Central and south parts of Ethiopia such as Nech Sar National Park and Abijitta-Shalla National Park. It lives in the open plain and wooded grassland 39. The Red-fronted gazelle (Eudorcasrufifrons) distributed in Northwest parts of the country. The main habitat type is semi-desert savanna. The Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcasthomsonii) distributed in the Northeastern and South parts of the country such as Awash National Park, Hallidage National Park and Boreana National Park. It lives in the open savanna grassland 3238.

    The Oribi (Ourebiaourebi) distributed in the central, northwest and southwest parts of the country. It lives in the wooded grassland and open grassland 38. The Salt’s Dik-dik (Madoquasaltiana) distributed in Northeast and Southeast parts of the country. It lives in the bushland, thickets and usually near road/track sides 38. The Guenther’s Dik-dik (Medaguaguentheri) distributed in the South and Southeast parts of the country. Bushland and scrublands are common habitat types of this species 3138. The Grey duiker (sylvicapragrimmia) distributed throughout the country. The habitat types are bushland and scrublands 37. The Walia ibex (Capra walie) is one of the endemic mammals in Ethiopia, and they are distributed in Semin Mountains National Park. It lives in the sub-alpine, heathland, and grassland habitats 714.

    Proboscidae distribution and habitat

    The Elephants (Loxodonta african) are group of large herbivorous land mammals. There are three extant groups of elephants: Africa savanna Elephant, Africa Forest elephant, and Asian elephant. Africa savanna Elephants are the largest of all the Elephant species. In Ethiopia they are found in Kafta Shiraro National Park, Gambella Nation Park, Omo National Park, Mago National Park and Babile Elephant sanctuary. They have wide home range and habitat preference as compared to other mammals 7925.

    Carnivora distribution and habitat

    The distribution and habitat of the carnivores in Ethiopia are the following: Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) distributed in Gondar, Wollo, North Shoa, Arsi and Bale highlands. The main habitat types are afro-alpine moorlands 16193240. The Bat-eared fox (Otocyonmegalotis) mainly distributed in the country's Southwest, Southeast, and Southeast parts 91632. The main habitat types are short grassland and shrubland 9. The Pale Fox (Vulpes pallida) distributed in the North part of the country. It lives in the sandy and stony habitats extending to deserts 93241.

    The Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) distributed in the Northeast, East, central and Southern parts of the country. It has wide habitat tolerance and always absent from forestland 9. The Side-striped Jackal (Canis adustus) mainly distributed in the Southern and southwestern, sometimes towards the Eastern parts of the country. They are found almost everywere in Ehtiopia. They have preference for scattered trees and bush habitats 9. The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) is also commonly found in Ethiopia. Similar to Side-striped jackal, they have preference for scattered trees and bush habitats 92732.

    The Spotted-naked otter (Lutramaculicollis) distributed in Central and Southwest parts of the country. The main habitats are rivers, swamps, lakes and dams 91632. The Zorilla (Ictonyx striatus) distributed throughout the country. It lives in semi-arid areas. The Ratel/honey badger (Mellivora capensis) distributed entirely throughout the country. It lives in the all-habitat types 1632. The African Civet cat (Civettictiscivetta) mainly distributed in Central, Northwest, West and South parts of the country. It lives in densely wooded and forested habitats 23. The Common Genets (Genetta abyssinica) distributed in the Northwest, South, Southwest and Central parts the country. It lives in forest, riverine and woodland habitats 9. The White-tailed mongoose (Ichneumiaalbicauda) distributed throughout the country, except in extreme East parts of the country 9. It lives habitat in forest margin and woodland habitats 42. The Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) distributed throughout the country except extreme Northeast margins. It lives in the forest and dense woodland 1821.

    The Lion (Panthera leo) one of the flagship species in Ethiopia distributed entirely throughout the country. It is found in Central, West, South and Eastern parts of the country 91643. The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) distributed in the Southwest and Eastern parts of the country. It lives in grassland habitat 932. The Leopard (Panthera pardus) distributed entirely throughout the country. The Caracal (Caracal caracal) distributed entirely throughout the country. It lives in savanna and forest habitats 91632.

    Tubulidentata distribution and habitat

    The Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is shy rarely seen in evening. It is nocturnal and burrows spade like scratching and track are more commonly seen than the animal itself. It is native to Africa and Ethiopia 25. In Ethiopia, it is found everywhere. The main habitat types are open woodland, sparse scrub and grassland. It sleeps in the deep burrow digs by itself 92536.

    Pholidota distribution and habitat

    They found in both high and low rainfall areas with both sandy and rocky soils, woodlands, savannas and grasslands. The species’ range is determined by abundance of ants and termites 25.The Ground pangolin (Phataginustemminckii) distributed throughout the country 944.

    Rodentia distribution and habitat

    The Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) distributed in the North, East, Central, Western and South parts of the country 9. It lives in the forest, riverine, woodland, thickets and sparse tree and bush land 9202325.

    Affiliations:
    Affiliations: