The study on Population status, structure, feeding ecology and habitat preference of common Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus decula) in the SMNP was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019 which covered both wet and dry seasons. Data on population structure feeding ecology of common bushbuck was collected using a total count and focal sampling method. A total count method was used to determine the current population status. Counting was done at three sites which had fourteen blocks. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and MANOVA. A total number of common bushbuck in the study area was 96 and 102 during the wet and dry season, respectively. There was a significant difference (Z = -9.91, P = 0.00) in the number of individuals between wet and dry seasons. The number of common bushbuck individuals in the SMNP was higher in Sankaber, compared to other sites. There was no statistically a significant difference ( = 2.24, df = 2, P = 0.32) in number of bushbucks in different sites. The population was female biased. From the total individuals observed, 64% constituted adults, 23% sub-adults and 13% young. The sex ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:1.4 and 1:1.3, sub adult males to sub adult females 1:1.8 and 1:1.5 Male to female ratio was 1:1.2 and 1:1.3 in both wet and dry seasons, respectively. Bushbuck consumes a total of 37 plant species which consisted of 23 herbs, six shrubs, five trees and two lianas. Most consumed food items were Cyanotis barbata (12.29%) and Alchmila pedata (11.64%), whereas Gladious abyssinicus (0.14%) and Pterocephalus frutescens (0.2%) were the least consumed, respectively. Young leaves and shoots comprised the largest proportion of the food items consumed. There was a statistically significant difference in plant part consumed by bushbuck during wet and dry seasons ( = 1762.3, df = 6, P = 0.05). They were highly associated to grassland habitat and more distributed. Common bushbucks are mixed feeders, which rely on browsing shrubs, herbs and trees and grazing on some of grass species. Keywords/Phrases: Common bushbuck, feeding ecology, habitat preference, population Status, SMNP. viii TABLE OF CONTENT CONTENTS P