Habitat Association and Foraging Ecology of Oribi (Ourebia ourebi Zimmermann, 1783) in Maze National Park, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Habitat association and foraging ecology of oribi (Ourebia ourebi) were carried out in the Maze National Park, Ethiopia, during the wet and dry seasons from October 2009 to December 2012. The type of habitat where the animals frequented and the food consumed were recorded for each season. Four habitat types were identified based on the vegetation. Eight variable sized blocks were designed based on the natural and artificial boundaries. Foraging records were carried out during active feeding period of oribi to observe the plant species that were consumed. Focal animals were chosen and observed. The distribution of oribi was high (64.17% and 69.32%) in the grassland with scattered trees and low in bushland (8.37% and 4.46%) habitat types during both wet and dry seasons, respectively. Seasonal distribution of individuals among the habitats was significant (p<0.05). Some oribi were observed moving out to nearby villages and farmlands. Oribi were more associated with livestock and Swayne's hartebeests than other animals. They fed on a total of 28 plant species in the Park area. Andropogon gayanus and Themeda triandra were the most preferred and utilized grass species. It is important to improve both the quality and the quantity of forage availability within the Park by adopting a more effective vegetation management program based on controlled burning.

Keywords: Distribution, Habitat, Feeding, Maze National Park, Oribi