Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

POPULATION SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF GELADA BABOON (THEROPITHECUS GELADA –RUPPEL, 1835) IN SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, ETHIOPIA

Habtamu Asfafaw & C. Subramanian

Gelada baboon (Theropithecus gelada gelada), endemic to Ethiopia, one of the flagship species densely found in Simien Mountains National Park of Ethiopia. Information gathered on population structure of Gelada from eight different sites in the park. A total of 1106 gelada individuals were recorded from the park, among them 97 were adult males; 318 adult females; 519 sub adults and 172 juveniles. The maximum number from 8 groups were recorded in Cheneke site (266) followed by Buit Ras (230) from 6 groups and the minimum numbers of gelada individuals (35) was counted in Ambaras site from a single group. There were 33 groups of gelada recorded from eight different sites with average group size for each sites range from 25 to 37 individuals. The overall group size was recorded as 32.8 ± 3.90 and the mean age and sex class were recorded as follows: adult males 3.13 ±0.8; adult female 8.75±1.2; sub adults 15.75±2.96 and juveniles 5.25± 1.8. The overall ratio (Adult Male : Adult Female : Sub Adults : Juvenile) was 1:2.8:5.04:1.9. This study concludes that the population size of Gelada baboon decline but the population structure remains same in Simien Mountains National Park.

Published Date: 2013-03-25;