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Asian Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2012 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 20-29
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Authors

Mesele Yihune

Afework Bekele

Keywords

Research Article

Population Status, Feeding Ecology and Activity Patterns of Grant’s Gazelle (Gazella granti) in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia

Mesele Yihune and Afework Bekele
Information on population status, feeding ecology and activities of Grant’s gazelle (Gazella granti) was collected from January to August, 2010 by means of total count and direct observation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and one way ANOVA. Tukey multiple comparison test was also used to test variation between different activities. The average number of Grant’s gazelles in the study area was 78 during the dry season and 59 during the wet season; mean group size was 2.36±0.07 and 2.70±0.1 during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Grant’s gazelles were observed feeding on grasses, herbs, trees and shrubs. The food items consumed by Grant’s gazelles between dry (p<0.05) and wet (p<0.05) seasons differed. Grant’s gazelles graze more often than browse during both seasons. They frequently fed during early morning and late afternoon. Activity budgets differed seasonally (wet season: p<0.05; dry season: p<0.05). They spent 42.9% of their time on feeding during the wet season. On the other hand, during the dry season, 35.8% of their time spent on resting followed by feeding (29.7%). Different conservation measures should be taken in to consideration to enhance the number of Grant’s gazelle and to create suitable habitat for them.
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How to cite this article

Mesele Yihune and Afework Bekele, 2012. Population Status, Feeding Ecology and Activity Patterns of Grant’s Gazelle (Gazella granti) in Abijata-Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 20-29.

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajbs.2012.20.29

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