Nechisar National Park Research Articles

Survey of Reptiles in Nechisar National Park, Southern Ethiopia

Species diversity, composition, relative abundance and evenness of the reptilian communities in Nechisar National Park were studied. The survey was conducted using pitfall traps, active search and cover sheet methods. The study identified 34 reptile species belonging to 3 orders (Squamata, Testudines, and Crocodylia). Squamata was the most diverse containing 30 species belonging to 2 suborders: Sauria which consists of 19 species from 7 families and 10 genera; and Serpentes which consists of 11 species from 5 families and 10 genera. Testudines included 3 species from 2 families and 3 genera. Crocodylia was represented by a single species. Reptile diversity varied among the different habitat types, with the bushland habitat having the highest number of species representing 29.69% of the total species recorded.

Feeding Preference and Habitat Association of Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa) in Nechisar National Park, Southern Ethiopia.

This study investigated feeding preference and habitat association of waterbucks in Nechisar National Park from November 2016 to August 2017 by total count and direct observation methods. From this survey, 20 plant species were observed to be the food items consumed by waterbucks. Waterbucks were mostly grazers than browser. The plant species consumed by waterbucks was highly significant between seasons (χ2 = 121.34, df = 1, p < 0.05). Out of 20 total plant species consumed, annual grass (11.5%), Leersia virginica (8.4%), and Cynodon dactylon (8.4%) were the most frequently consumed food items, but Tamarindus indica (2.9%), Balanites aegyptica (3.3%), and Acacia polycantha (2.36%) were the least consumed food items. There was significant difference between plant species consumed during both seasons (χ2 = 177.67, df = 19, p < 0.05). The Shannon–Wiener diversity index result revealed that there were different varieties of food items for waterbucks in dry season (H' = 2.9) than in wet season (H' = 2.6). Young leaves comprised the largest proportion of plant parts consumed by waterbucks compared to others. There was a highly significant difference in feeding plant parts in both seasons (χ2 = 88.5, df = 7, p < 0.05). Waterbucks spent more time on feeding in the morning and late afternoon during both seasons. The total number of waterbucks in each habitat varied due to food availability in different seasons. Different conservation measures should be taken against waterbuck reduction and create appropriate environment for waterbuck.

Review of Population Status and Conservation Strategy of Endangered Swayne’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus Swayne) in Ethiopia

This review aims to understand and population status Swaynes’ Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Ethiopia. The home range of the endangered Swayne's hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei, was studied in different protected area of Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS), Maze National park and Nechisar National Park in Ethiopia. Based on the report from the research, the previous population size of Swayne’s hartebeests has decreased and occurs only in four localities of Ethiopia: Nechisar and Maze National Parks, Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeests Sanctuary and a smaller number observed in southern Ethiopia Yabello vicinity. According to Mamo et al., (2012) Swayne’s hartebeests occur currently in three isolated localities with an estimated total population size of 840 (364 in Maze National Park, 464 in Senkele Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary and 12 in Nechisar National Park. Today, even in Ethiopia its distribution and population size has been declining substantially and the two largest populations remaining in the country are in Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary and Maze National Park. Generally ,according to the study from different authors the population status of Swayne’s Hartebeest in Ethiopia is decreasing from time to time due to habitat degradation, expansion of agriculture, human settlement and livestock grazing in and around of protected area. Based on the Concept of reviewers of genetic and bioclimatic data suggest Swayne’s Hartebeest is distinct and requires immediate conservation actions including genetic monitoring and reintroductions to establish independent populations. This review is important to summaries and indicates the gap to conserve these endemic animals in Ethiopia. Keywords : Swayne’s Hartebeest, Protected area, Population, Conservation status DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-15-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Species diversity and conservation status of diurnal large mammals in Nechisar National Park

Species diversity and conservation status of diurnal large mammals in Nechisar National Park

Conservation Trapped in Ethno-regional Politics: Multiple Faces of the Struggles over Nechisar National Park (Southern Ethiopia)

The purpose of this study is to analyse the manifold struggles over land in southern Ethiopia's Nechisar National Park (NNP). The formal creation of NNP in 1974 fundamentally altered the scene, and congregated pastoralists, farmers, hunters, and conservationists in the struggles over resource access and use. While 'ancestral rights' continued to be invoked by those who had used the land previously, the NNP management and other actors could now call upon the imperatives of conservation to either curtail access to the Park and its resources or evict people from the Park. Following the downfall of the Derg regime in 1991, when Ethiopia adopted an ethnic federalism, attempts were made to assign a designated territory to each ethnic group. Thus, the struggles over NNP were further complicated by the renewal of the significance of ethnicity and the meanings of actors' strategies, given that the Park straddles the border between two regional states established under the new system of governance. This article is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in and around NNP. It demonstrates how attempts to introduce territoriality to hitherto unterritorialised spaces and ethnic groups resulted in the multiplication of the number of actors struggling for access to, and/or governance authority over, NNP and in the intensification of these struggles. The article argues for a shift in understanding people-park conflicts from a merely ecological and economistic approach to one that also situates these conflicts in the national politics of ethnic territorialisation.

Cross-sectional survey of brucellosis and associated risk factors in the livestock-wildlife interface area of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of ovine and bovine brucellosis in the livestock-wildlife interface area of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia. Furthermore, producer's knowledge about brucellosis and its zoonotic potential was assessed using a structured questionnaire. A total of 268 cattle and 246 goat sera were collected from 50 herds and 46 flocks and subjected to Rose Bengal test (RBT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in parallel to detect anti-Brucella species antibodies. Positive reactions were further confirmed with compliment fixation test (CFT). Flock and herd level seroprevalence rate was 12.8% (95% CI 4.8-25.7) and 32.0% (95% CI 19.5-46.7) in goats and cattle, respectively. An overall animal-level seroprevalence of 4.5% (95% CI 2.25-7.86) and 9.7% (95% CI 6.44-13.89) was recorded for goats and cattle, respectively. Seroprevalence showed an increasing trend with age, where adult cattle > 2years. Goats (> 1year) recorded relatively higher seroprevalence, but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, female cattle and goats recorded a relatively higher seroprevalence, 11 and 5.6%, respectively, compared to males but the difference was not significant. However, a significant (P< 0.01) variation of seroprevalence was noted for parity (bovine), higher in animals in second parity, and abortion history, in both species, higher in animals that experienced abortion. Interviews revealed lack of awareness about brucellosis and food safety related to the zoonotic potential from consuming raw animal products (milk and meat). Ninety-eight percent of respondents did not consider handling abortion material is risky, and only a very low proportion (8%, n = 50) was able to mention limited zoonotic diseases (anthrax and Taenia cysticercosis) could be transmissible to people. The study indicated that brucellosis is endemic in domestic animals in the interface area and calls for further broad epidemiological investigation of the disease in livestock, human and wildlife following 'one health' unified research approaches beside enhancing public awareness.

Nightjar diversity and microhabitat use in Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia

Knowledge of the distribution and ecology of East African nightjars is, to a large extent, unknown. We collected ecological information on the diversity and microhabitat use of nightjars in Nechisar National Park in January 2015 by executing field captures and observations. We also attempted to find a live specimen of the Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala. During the course of 18 nights we observed five nightjar species, captured 49 individuals and observed that nightjars were closely associated with protective landscape elements. In spite of the intensity of our survey, we were not able to find a living specimen of the Nechisar Nightjar, which could indicate the species is either migratory or extinct.

‘Facing conservation’ or ‘conservation with a human face’? People–park interactions in southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACTWhereas some conservationists argue that ‘people-oriented approaches’ failed to achieve conservation goals, Nechisar National Park presents a case where ‘strict conservation approaches’ have at best been only partly successful. Nechisar National Park, heralded as a success in the 1990s, today shows a collapsed population of the endemic Swayne’s hartebeest and severe degradation of the emblematic grasslands of the plains. The park is also heavily under pressure from firewood collectors and fish stocks have plummeted. Drawing on the concepts of ‘indirect’ and ‘direct’ costs/benefits of conservation areas – as proposed by Richard Bell – we wanted to get beyond the ‘strict’ versus ‘people-oriented’ conservation debate. Based on semi-structured interviews (12 women, 4 men) and oral testimonies (19 women, 17 men) we analyse how access to natural resources evolved under different political regimes and conservation strategies. The strict conservation approach resulted in strong opposition against the park. By considering both the ‘indirect’ costs (such as loss of land) and the ‘direct’ costs’ (such as historical and cultural ties with the land) important insights for a conservation strategy with a ‘human face’ could be gained. Conservation with a human face will require: first formally involving the local people in the management of the park; second, that the historical rights of the pastoralists and the farmers over the area, as well as the legitimacy of their grievances with regard to the past management, are recognised. Such a new conservation strategy will however require political commitment and strong institutions at all levels.

A call to action: strong long-term limnological changes in the two largest Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes, Abaya and Chamo

The 2 largest Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes, Abaya and Chamo, are dominant socioecological systems with important potential for ecotourism because of their attractive setting with Nechisar National Park. We report on changes in water quality in these lakes during recent decades. We integrated data on key limnological variables during the last 55 years by supplementing historical literature data with our own field measurements. Our analyses provide strong evidence for a steady increase in nutrient concentrations and decrease in water transparency. Total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations in both lakes over the study period increased 5- and 7-fold, respectively. Similarly, water transparency decreased, especially in Lake Chamo, which used to have clear water but is now becoming a sediment-loaded lake similar to Lake Abaya. We reconstructed fertilizer use and land use changes in the region during the past decades. The combined data suggest that the dramatic eutrophication we observed in the lakes is likely associated with increased fertilizer use or other activities related to intensified agricultural practices, and the decline in water transparency is probably associated with low tree cover due to deforestation. The profound changes in the ecology of both lakes may jeopardize the delivery of ecosystem services in the region, including water supply, fisheries, and ecotourism. Our results stress the urgent need for measures that prevent further environmental deterioration of the unique heritage provided by the Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes.

Ecology of African Civet (&lt;i&gt;Civettictis civetta&lt;/i&gt;) in Arba Minch Forest, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

The population density, diet and scent-marking of African civets ( Civettictis civetta ) were assessed at Arba Minch Forest within Nechi Sar National Park in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. The Civet population was estimated over a 5-months period to be 0. 27/ha, of which 0.16 were adults and 0.11 young. Civet diet was analyzed by examining 578 scats during the same period to determine preference of adult Civets to plant material over animal material and vice versa. This viverrid can be termed a generalist omnivore as per these findings. Civets were found to use plants, metallic objects and poles to mark scent. Out of the 92 scent marking sites observed, a vast majority were within 100 m radius of civetries or latrine sites. In the wild, the amount of civet – the perineal gland secretion collected from each marked site varied from 0.0047 g to 0.98 g, but in captivity 0.034 g to 2.0 g was collected. Much as Ethiopia is the world’s largest supplier of civet musk to perfumery industry in Europe, its Civet farming practices needs to be regulated for acceptable welfare standards. Keywords : African Civet Population Omnivorous generalists Scat analysis Scent marking

Status of Lion (&lt;i&gt;Panthera leo&lt;/i&gt;) and Spotted Hyena (&lt;i&gt;Crocuta crocuta&lt;/i&gt;) in Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia

Globally large carnivores are in decline due to a combination of habitat degradation and direct human persecution. A survey was conducted in Nechisar national park, Southern Ethiopia to investigate the population status of lion ( Panthera leo ) and hyena ( Crocuta crocuta ). Eleven callups were performed; a total of two adult male lions and six spotted hyenas responded. Estimates give a lion density of between 2 and 5 per 100 km 2 or a total population estimate of 7 to 23 lions and a hyena density of between 4 to 8 hyenas per 100 km 2 or a total population estimate of 17 to 34 hyenas. These estimates include extrapolation to a heavily encroached area where large carnivores are unlikely to occur. The lion population is probably limited to the visually confirmed four individuals. The carrying capacity of Nechisar national park, excluding livestock, is 21 lions and 48 hyenas. The resident agro-pastoral communities who are living with their livestock inside and adjacent to the national park are in conflict with carnivores. This might account for the low density of lion and hyena in the park, and perhaps might result in local extinction within a few years. Keywords : Callups, Hyena, Lion, Nechisar, Density, Ethiopia.

Late Holocene Societies from Southern Ethiopia: Results from Archaelogical Project in Nechisar National Park

Late Holocene Societies from Southern Ethiopia: Results from Archaelogical Project in Nechisar National Park

Les sociétés de l’Holocène récent du Sud de l’Éthiopie : résultats de la mission archéologique dans le Parc National de Nechisar

Late Holocene societies from southern Ethiopia : results from archaeological project in Nechisar National Park This paper will present the results from an archaeological survey conducted in November 2009 inside the Nechisar National Park in the south part of Ethiopia. During this survey, we have found two rock shelters, Mome Gongolo 1 and Mome Gongolo 2, located on the slope on the Mome Mountain on the south-western foothills of the Somali plateau. Test excavations were made in both sites, showing the presence of several occupation layers that contained lithic artefacts, bones fragments and in one of them ceramic sherds. Mome Gongolo 1, dated from 6th century AD is interpreted as being used as a hunting camp. Mome Gongolo 2 that was occupied during the 16th century AD was also a hunting camp with the presence of throwing lithic weapons and wild animals’ bones. The occupants produced also locally a pottery that presents stylistic similarities with the one from the Borada that occupied at the same period the mountainous area of Gamo. However, more archaeological research is needed in this very diverse region to understand the development of late Holocene societies.

Species diversity and abundance of small mammals in Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia

Species diversity and abundance of small mammals were studied in Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia, during August 2008 – March 2009. Twenty species of rodents and four species of insectivores were recorded from the study area. Mastomys natalensis (17.37%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (17.09%), Mastomys erythroleucus (8.90%), Stenocephalemys albipes (8.76%), Arvicanthis niloticus (8.19%), Acomys cahirinus (7.34%), Lemniscomys striatus (6.92%), Gerbilliscus nigricauda (6.21%), Grammomys dolichurus (3.67%), Gerbilliscus robusta (2.12%), Mus proconodon (1.98%), Mus mahomet (1.41), Dendromus melanotis (1.27%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (1.13%), Mus musculus (0.99%), Praomys fumatus (0.85%), Xerus erythropus (0.85%), Lemniscomys barbarus (0.71%), Mus tenellus (0.71%) and Otomys typus (0.28%) were the rodents and their respective relative abundance in the study area. Crocidura olivieri (1.55%), Crocidura fumosa (0.85%), Crocidura bicolor (0.57%) and Elephantulus rufescens (0.28%) were the insectivores recorded with their respective relative abundance. Mastomys natalensis was the most abundant and O. typus and E. rufescens were the least (two each). Diversity of small mammals ranged from 2.299 to 2.625 with an average of 2.412. The highest small mammal diversity was in grasslands and the lowest was in Lake Chamo shore. Small mammal density varied from 5 to 43 ha−1 and biomass varied from 244 to 2559 g ha−1 with significant changes in relation to seasons and habitats. La diversité et l’abondance des espèces de petits mammifères ont étéétudiées dans le Parc National de Nechisar, en Ethiopie, entre août 2008 et mars 2009. On a noté la présence de 20 espèces de rongeurs et de cinq espèces d’insectivores dans la zone étudiée. Les rongeurs (et leur abondance relative) sont Mastomys natalensis (17,37%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (17,09%), Mastomys erythroleucus (8,90%), Stenocephalemys albipes (8,76%), Arvicanthis niloticus (8,19%), Acomys cahirinus (7,34%), Lemniscomys striatus (6,92%), Gerbilliscus nigricauda (6,21%), Grammomys dolichurus (3,67%), Gerbilliscus robusta (2,12%), Mus proconodon (1,98%), Mus mahomet (1,41), Dendromus melanotis (1,27%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (1,13%), Mus musculus (0,99%), Praomys fumatus (0,85%), Xerus erythropus (0,85%), L. barbarous (0,71%), Mus tenellus (0,71%) et Otomys typus (0,28%). Les insectivores observés sont Crocidura olivieri (1,55%), C. fumosa (0,85%), C. bicolor (0,57%) et Elephantulus rufescens (0.28%). Mastomys natalensis était le plus abondant, et O. typus et E. rufescens étaient les moins abondants (deux spécimens de chaque espèce). La diversité des petits mammifères allait de 2,299 à 2,625, avec une moyenne de 2,412. La plus grande diversité de petits mammifères s’observait dans les prairies et la plus faible sur les berges du lac Chamo. La densité de petits mammifères allait de cinq à 43/ha, et la biomasse de 244g/ha à 2 559g/ha, avec des changements importants liés aux saisons et aux habitats.

Assessment of woody species encroachment in the grasslands of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia

Ecological survey was executed to assess woody species encroachment into the grassland plain of Nechisar National Park (NNP). Forty-one woody species were recorded. Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn., Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth., Acacia nilotica (L) Willd., Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., Acacia seyal Del. and Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne were among the major encroaching woody species. The majority of the woody species were found to be highly aggregated in their pattern of distribution, while only few species showed some degree of randomness. The mean woody species density was ca. 1995 woody plants ha−1. Mean cover of woody, grass, unpalatable forbs and total herbaceous species were 31%, 58%, 68% and 121%, respectively. The woody species density and cover, unpalatable forbs and bare land cover were significantly higher in the highly grazed and fire-suppressed part of the grassland plain. Pearson correlation coefficient matrix indicated that woody species cover and density were negatively correlated with total herbaceous and grass cover. The high woody, unpalatable forbs and bare land cover indicated the progressively increasing perennial grass species diversity deterioration in the grass plain of the Park. Decline in the grassland condition, unless reversed, will jeopardize the biological diversity as well as the aesthetic value of the NNP. Resume Une etude ecologique fut faite pour evaluer l’envahissement des especes ligneuses dans la plaine herbacee du NNP. Quarante et une especes furent enregistrees. Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn., Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth., Acacia nilotica (L) Willd., Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., Acacia seyal Del. and Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne comptaient parmi les especes les plus envahissantes. On a trouve que la majorite des especes ligneuses avaient un schema de distribution fortement groupe tandis que seule la distribution de quelques especes etait, a un certain degre, aleatoire. La densite moyenne des especes ligneuses etait d’environ 1995 plants par hectare. La couverture moyenne des especes ligneuses, des graminees, des herbes dicotyledones non comestibles, et des especes herbeuses dans leur ensemble etait de 31%, 58%, 68% et 121% respectivement. La densite et la couverture des especes ligneuses et des dicotyledones non comestibles et la surface de sol nu etaient significativement plus elevees dans les parties les plus pâturees et protegees des feux de la plaine herbeuse. Une matrice du coefficient de correlation de Pearson indique que la couverture et la densite des especes ligneuses etaient negativement liees a la couverture herbacee totale et a celle des graminees. La forte couverture des especes ligneuses et des dicotyledones non comestibles et le sol nu indiquent la deterioration de plus en plus rapide de la diversite des especes de graminees dans la plaine herbeuse du parc. Le declin de l’etat de la prairie, s’il n’est pas inverse, va mettre en danger la diversite biologique, mais aussi la valeur esthetique du NPP.

Studies on the reproductive status, catch and age compositions of the tsetse fly, &lt;i&gt;Glossina pallidipes&lt;/i&gt; populations in the Nechisar National Park in southern Ethiopia

Studies were conducted during the dry hot period of December 1999 to April 2000 in the Nechisar National Park, Southern Ethiopia, to obtain base line data on catch, age compositions, and reproductive status of samples of Glossina pallidipes , trapped in NGU-2G traps. The objective was to assess tsetse population dynamics and to provide data on the temporal and spatial variations of the structure of the fly population at five localities (habitats). The data were to be used for the suppression phase of a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) project in the study area. Population study in space was conducted at randomly selected five sites in and out of the park. In each vegetation type, a set of 2 NGU-2G traps baited with urine and acetone were deployed for five days during the same week of the study time. Female flies were dissected to assess ovarian age structure of populations. To determine the age of male flies wing-fray analysis was carried out using wing-fray categories (1-6). Trapped tsetse included significantly higher proportions of teneral and non-teneral females, and a lower male: female ratio. Insemination rates of the sampled flies were over 95% at all habitats. In any one habitat, the frequency of pregnancy (egg stage) predominated, followed by the first, second, and lastly, by the third instar larva. Abortion was the predominant reproductive abnormality at all habitats of the natural population of G. pallidipes . Age compositions of females (ovarian aging) showed greater proportions of females with 1–3 ovarian age categories and a physiological age between 8–40 days at all habitats. Age compositions of males (wing-fray) were significantly greater for young males (1–3 wfc) compared with old males (4–6 wfc). The studies of this base line data collection with other operational studies will be a prerequisite to assess the feasibility of the proposed area wide eradication project and to develop appropriate strategies to suppress and finally to eradicate the fly by situational releases of sterilized male flies. Key words/phrases : Abortion, age reproductive status, Glossina pallidipes , NGU-2G traps, pregnancy SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 28 (1) 2005: 51-60

Nutritional estimate of populations of some wild free‐ranging African ungulates in grassland (Nechisar national park, Ethiopia) in dry season

The amount and nutritive value of forage plants, diet composition, digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were recorded for zebra. Grant's gazelle, Swayne's hartebeest and hippopotamus in November‐December 1991 Besides, daily egest of feces, the level of food and nutrient consumption, energy and protein requirements were recorded for zebra and Grant's gazelle The digestibility of pasture forage was determined as a ratio of lignin concentration in food to the concentration m feces (lignin tracer technique), a daily intake was calculated on the basis of the daily feces egest Protein percentage m the diet of zebra and hartebeest consuming dry parts of grasses did not exceed 5% Gazelle diet consists of green parts of plants and included 18% of protein The digestibility of dry matter in nonruminants (zebra, hippopotamus) was 40‐45%, in hartebeest ‐ 50%, in gazelle ‐ 60% Due to the abundance of dry grasses (3 7 ton ha‐1) the daily food consumption of zebra was high ‐ 7 2 kg ind‐1 (dry weight), the metabolizable energy intake (ME) being 51 MJ Adult gazelles consumed 15‐25 kg ind‐1 of food and 14‐24 MJ of ME The energy requirements of adult males and non‐lactating females of zebras and gazelles (48 and 13 MJ respectively) were met, the energy balance berig negative for lactating animals The daily protein requirement was not met in zebra (392‐704 g md‐1 vs 134 g ind‐1 of intake) and in lactating gazelles (250 g ind‐1 vs 197 g md‐1) Non‐lactating gazelles consume sufficient amount of both energy and protein due to the high feeding selectivity of the species and thanks to the abundance of burnt areas with young green after‐grass m the dry period