Wildlife Survey for Quota Setting in Munessa Kukke Controlled Hunting Area, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia

Abstract

Sustainable utilization of wildlife resources is assured through implementing efficient and regulated consumption strategy. Therefore, to ensure the sustainability of the wildlife resources of the controlled hunting areas, timely follow ups, monitoring and evaluation to take proper measures is very essential. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to assess wild animals’ population, habitat condition, and set hunting quota in Munessa Kukke Controlled Hunting area.

Line transects are used to conduct the wildlife census as per the habitat nature of the area. Six line transects ranging from 2.5km to 5.5km were randomly selected covering 22km length in total. In this case perpendicular sighting distance of 150 meters on both sides of the line transects covering 300 meters in total was used to count forest and thicket animals. All larger mammals encountered along the transects were counted and recorded on the census sheet. Counts were made every morning at dawn from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM hours.

Regarding the distribution of the wild animals Mountain Nyala, and Colobus Black and White are relatively evenly distributed throughout the sampled area; whereas Annubis Baboon and Menelik’s Bushbuck are recorded in four out of the six line transects

On the subject of the age and sex structure of the recorded wild animals the male to female ratio is more or less fairly represented except in the case of Menelik’s Bushbuck where the number of males is about double of the females and no age structure difference is observed and only adults were recorded. Therefore, to investigate the problems and to find out a solution, the team suggests further study to conduct research by concerned bodies

Population estimate of the recorded wild animals shows that Mountain Nyala is a relatively at a good population number with an estimate of 985, followed by Annubis Baboon, Colobus Black and White, and Menelik’s Bushbuck having 684 ,423 , and 258 respectively

The unfavorable human activities like poaching and expansion for agriculture would have a greater impact on the abundance and distribution of wild animals in the controlled hunting area. It is therefore advisable to all the stake holders to take immediate actions to counter the problems and make sure the wellbeing of the wild animals in the area. Additionally, wildlife conservation awareness program should be further strengthened by concerned stake holders to get the overall support of the community.