The Ecological and Behavioural Studies of Bohor Reedbuck in Jimma Airport Compound, Southwestern Ethiopia

摘要

The semi-ranched Bohor reedbuck Redunca redunca (Pallas 1767) population was studied in Jimma Airport Compound (JAC), southwestern Ethiopia, to assess the ecology, activity patterns, threats and the potential hazards they pose on the aviation servicesof the area. Total count method was employed to determine the population size. Scan sampling, from 2-10 min interval was used to record the diurnal and nocturnal activities. The swampy grassland habitat of JAC harboured over 220 individual Bohor reedbucks of all age categories. The sex ratio of the reedbuck population was 1:1, however, biased towards adult individuals (63%). Bohor reedbucks of the JAC are exclusively diurnal. They usually form unstable groups of four different herds comprising 3-11 individuals. Over 85% of the reedbuck population passes the night within 200 m radius of the main terminal. They cross the runway at any hour of the day but most with three peaks (early morning, mid-day and early evening). Pregnant, lambing and estrous female reedbucks were commonly observed during both seasons. They employ cryptic behaviour, lying position, alarming whistles and night time refugia selection as an anti-predatory behavior. Predation pressure, habitat confinement, poaching, habitat fragmentation and excessive human activities were considered threats to these animals. By connecting these populations with the ones found nearby in the Kitto-Furdisa University campus, establishing Bohor reedbuck sanctuary is recommended to safeguard the survival of this conservation dependent endemic sub-species.