Species Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation Challenges of Wild Mammals of Besmena‐Odubulu‐Controlled Hunting Area, Southeastern Ethiopia

Even though Ethiopia is among few African countries with high faunal species diversity, the recorded mammalian resource data are very low. Hence, compiling the baseline data on current wildlife ecological issues and conservation threats to wildlife’s in their respective area are crucial for better wildlife conservation and management purpose. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the current diversity, distribution, and conservation threats to wildlife of the Besmena‐Odubulu‐controlled hunting area between 2019 and 2020 during both dry and wet seasons. To achieve this objective, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The primary data were collected from focus group discussion and field survey of 30 representative random sampling of line transects. A sample of 40 household heads was purposively selected from the purposively selected four kebeles (Besmena, Wajitu‐Shabe, Wolta’i wocho, and Awash‐Kolati villages) for FGD. Similarly, for the field survey, the total area of the study was classified into four smaller sample units (montane forest habitat, woodland habitat, riverine habitat, and bamboo habitat) in such a way that each of the sample areas represents the major habitats of the study area. Descriptive statistics, biodiversity indices, and chi‐square tests were used to analyze the data. Hence, during the study, a total of 16 diurnal species of medium‐ and large‐sized mammals, grouped into 8 families, and 6 orders were identified. Based on the recorded data, 62.5% were large‐sized mammalian species, where the highest being Bovidae families with five species, and the remaining 37.5% were medium‐sized mammals. In our current survey, we also found endemic and endangered mammalian species such as mountain nyala ( Tragelphus buxtani ) and Menelik’s bushbuck ( Tragelphus scriptus Meneliki ). The most abundant species among those that have been identified are Phacochoerus africanus and Papio anubis , with respective abundances of 21.0% and 23.0%, followed by Tragelphus buxtoni (13.0%) and Tragelphus scriptus subsp. Menelik’s bushbuck (12.0%). However, Canis mesomelas (0.5%) was the least abundant species observed in the study area. Furthermore, the main threat to conservation that led to conflict between people and wildlife over the resources in the Besemena‐Odubulu‐controlled hunting area was the heavy dependency of the local community on those resource to sustain their lives. Therefore, it is necessary to implement community‐based conservation strategies together with practicable management plans.