A preliminary survey of medium and large‐sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Southwest Showa, Ethiopia

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the species composition and diversity of medium and large-sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Ethiopia. Surveys were conducted to record mammals through direct observation and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely: Natural forest, Bushland, and Riverine forest. A total of 15 mammalian species was recorded. The species recorded were Papio anubis, Chlorocebus aethiops, Tragelaphus scriptus, Canis aureus, Crocuta crocuta, Panthera pardus, Procavia capensis, Colobus guereza, Sylvicapra grimmia, Orycteropus afer, Helogale parvula, Hystrix cristata, Lepus fagani, Potamochoerus larvatus and Phacochoeus africanus. A total of 223 records of observations was compiled. 74% of these records (N=167) were obtained from direct sight, whereas the rest was recorded through indirect evidence. The dominant order recorded was Order Primates (57.4%) followed by Order Artiodactyla (17.5 %) while the least record was Order Lagomorpha (...