Ethiopian Endemic Menelik’s Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki, Neumann 1902): Distribution, Behavioural Ecology and Threats

Abstract

Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) is an even-toed ungulate (Artiodactyla) which are small, solitary, and bush dweller antelope. It occurs widespread in Africa. However, one of their subspecies, the Ethiopian endemic Menelik’s bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki) is confined to the highland forests of the country. At the first time, Menelik’s bushbuck was described by Matschie, in 1912 from the Managasha forest West of Shoa. Even though, Menelik’s bushbuck is somewhat similar in appearance to the mountain races of the East and South African bushbuck, uniquely, both males and females have geometrically shaped white patches or spots on the ears, chin, tail, legs and neck as well as a band of white at the base of the neck. Females and young are mainly reddish, and males are darker. Both sexes and all age groups have a white underside on the broad woolly tail and white flashes above their black hooves. They are mixed feeders of different parts of plant. Moreover, Menelik’s bushbuck are major threaten through habitat destruction, poaching and disease. Predictably, these threats come from anthropogenic, largely in the form of land-use pattern, livestock grazing, deforestation and other human activities.

Keywords: Behaviour, Endemic, Menelik’s bushbuck, Threat

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-11-01

Publication date:September 30^th 2023