POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROCK HYRAX, IN ZEGIE PENINSULA, ETHIOPIA

BIRKIE, ALEHEGN

dc.contributor.author	BIRKIE, ALEHEGN
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-03T06:54:44Z
dc.date.available	2021-03-03T06:54:44Z
dc.date.issued	2021-03-03
dc.identifier.uri	http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/11996
dc.description.abstract	The conservation and management of wild animals starts from a reliable knowledge of the wild animals in an area. Rock hyrax which categorized as “least concern” by the IUCN is found in Zegie peninsula. However, there is no scientific study conducted related to it. Thus, this study was done with the objective of estimating population size, distribution and residents‟ attitude towards the rock hyrax in Zegie peninsula. To estimate the population size, distribution of rock hyrax direct transect line counting method was applied. The counting was undertaken by stratifying the study area Lake shore, human residence, forest and bush land with total of 18 transects lines. The number of transect lines were 5 in lake side, 9 in human premises‟, 3 in forest and 1 in bush land. The number and length of each transect line was taken proportional to the habitat stratum area. Counting of rock hyrax in each transect line was done in late morning and early afternoon for three consecutive days in selected dry and wet season months. To examine the attitude of dwellers towards rock hyrax primary data was collected by structured questioner from selected sample respondents. A total of 203 respondents in the study area were selected by systematic random sampling. To triangulate and substantiate the study nine key informant interviews were taken. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The total estimated population size of rock hyraxes in the study area was 426 during the dry and 512 during the wet seasons. Rock hyraxes were distributed unevenly in the study area. Mostly rock hyrax is found Lake Shore followed by human residence and a few in dense forest habitat. But no rock hyrax is found at the bush land habitat of the study area. The distribution of rock hyraxes result indicates that distribution is determined by suitability of forage, get water and rock shelter. By rock hyraxes pollution effect of churches and houses by feces and urine, by dwellers traditional believes of magical power of rock hyrax and with its destructive effect of fruits and vegetables most of the residents‟ do not have good feeling on the presence of rock hyrax in their locality. Dwellers do not also support the protection and conservation of rock hyraxes and protection is not practiced in the study area. To avoid the pollution and control the damage the mechanism implemented in the area were killing and chasing. Population size and distribution of rock hyrax in the study area connected with food availability and shelter in an area. To improve the dwellers attitude towards rock hyrax local administration and other governmental and non-governmental organizations should work cooperatively to improve awareness about economic and ecological importance and conservation of rock hyrax. It also needs full implementation of the laws that inhibit the local community from practicing illegal hunting of rock hyrax and needs to examine the existing laws that need improve. Keywords: Conservation, Habitat, Residents’ Attitude, Rock Hyrax, Zegie Peninsula	en_US
dc.language.iso	en	en_US
dc.subject	BIOLOGY	en_US
dc.title	POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROCK HYRAX, IN ZEGIE PENINSULA, ETHIOPIA	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US