DIVERSITY, ABUNDANCEAND THREATS OF MEDIUM AND LARGE SIZED MAMMALS IN USHEGOLA FOREST, HADIYA ZONE, CENTERAL ETHIOPIA

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong>: The study on the species diversity, abundance and threats of medium and large sized mammals in Ushegola Forest, Hadiya Zone, CERS, Ethiopia. It was conducted from March 2022 to October 2023. The study area stratified in three habitat types (Riverine forest, Bush land and Grassland) based on vegetation cover. It situated 1800-2010m above sea level. For medium and large sized mammal survey, direct methods were naked eye and binocular and indirect methods like: hair samples sound and feaces were used in additional to the direct observations. Representative line transects were established in each vegetation types and animals were surveyed by using the transect method. In the study area12 species of medium and large sized mammals were identified and recorded. Among them class Mammalia order Artriodactyla was denoted by the highest diversity of species. In regard to abundance, Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) (11.65% and 20.69%), Anubis baboon (Papio anubis) (11.76% and 11.94%), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) (8.82% and 9.19%) and Soemmerrings gazelle (Nanger soemmrringi) (8.82% and 10.34%) were the most abundant species in both wet and dry seasons respectively. While Abyssinian hares (Lepus habessinicus) (1.47% and 3.45%) were the least abundant during wet and dry season respectively. When it comes to where species are found, the bush land habitat has the most species in both the dry and wet seasons. The highest Shannon and weaver diversity index and species evenness were attained in the bush land habitat (0.322, 0.344 and 0.146, 0.145), while grassland habitat had (0.344, 0.322 and 0.143, 0.146) during wet and dry seasons respectively. The major threats of the forest identified throughout the study were human settlements around the forest, collecting fire woods, harvesting grass and grazing by livestock.