DSpace Institution DSpace Repository http://dspace.org Biology Thesis and Dissertations 2021-03-03 POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION þÿAND LOCAL RESIDENTS ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROCK HYRAX, IN ZEGIE PENINSULA, ETHIOPIA BIRKIE, ALEHEGN http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/11996 Downloaded from DSpace Repository, DSpace Institution's institutional repository BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROCK HYRAX, IN ZEGIE PENINSULA, ETHIOPIA MSC THESIS BY BIRKIE ALEHEGN Advisor: Zewdu Kifle (PhD) DECEMBER, 2020 BAHIR DAR POPULATION SIZE, DISTRIBUTION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROCK HYRAX, IN ZEGIE PENINSULA, ETHIOPIA MSC THESIS BY BIRKIE ALEHEGN A Thesis submitted to the Department of Biology, School of Graduate Studies, Bahir Dar University in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement of the Degree of Master of Science in Biology Advisor: Zewdu Kifle (PhD) DECEMBER, 2020 BAHIR DAR DECLARATION This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Population size, Distribution and Local Residents’ Attitude towards Rock Hyrax, in Zegie peninsula, Ethiopia” the school of graduates‟ studies of Bahir Dar University. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in “Biology” of department of Biology, Bahir Dar University is a record of original work carried out by me and has never been submitted to this or any other institution to get any other degree or certificates. The assistance and help I received during the course of this investigation have been duly acknowledged. Birkie Alehegn ------------------------ Bahir Dar Name of the candidate Date places I ADVISORS' APPROVAL Bahir Dar University College Of Science Department Of Biology Approval of thesis for defense I hereby certify that I have supervised, read, and evaluated this thesis in title, Population Size, Distribution and Local Residents’ Attitude towards Rock Hyrax, In Zegie Peninsula, Ethiopia prepared under my guidance. I recommend the thesis be submitted for oral defense. _____________________ ________________ _____________ Advisor‟s name Signature Date _____________________ ________________ _____________ Co-Advisor‟s name Signature Date ___________________ _______________ _____________ Department Head Signature Date _________________ _______________ _____________ Postgraduate Head Signature Date II EXAMINERS' APPROVAL FORM Bahir Dar University College Of Science Department Of Biology Approval of thesis for defense result As members of the board of examiners, we examined this thesis titled Population Size, Distribution and Local Residents’ Attitude towards Rock Hyrax, In Zegie Peninsula, Ethiopia by Birkie Alehegn,We hereby certify that the thesis is accepted for fulfilling the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Biology. Board of Examiners External examiner name Signature Date –––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– Internal examiner name Signature Date –––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– Chair person‟s name Signature Date –––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– –––––––––––––– III DEDICATION This research is dedicated to my beloved family for their endless advice, support and encouragements for my success. IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people. First and foremost, I forward my great thankful to my advisor Zewdu Kifle (PhD) for his professional advice, and giving me his invaluable comments starting from the proposal to this final research work. I would like to express my special thanks to my lovely husband Ato Meseret Abebe who encourage, read and comment this research work. I also give my thanks to my little daughters Tsion and Trufat who gave me moral support to do my research timely and share the work burden at home when I went to the field to collect data. I would like to address my thanks to my staff member Ato Kindie Getu for his help to read the research draft and gave me constructive comments and suggestions. I want to forward my gratitude in advance to Zegie people and kebele leaders for their cooperation and devoting their time to give response for enumerators to the questionnaire and told me all necessary information about the research site. I want to give great appreciation to Zegie youth who participated in data collection using structured questionnaire and in counting rock hyrax at a particular time during the counting months. Above all, I would like to give the greatest thanks to God who gave me strength to complete this research. V 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 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................... V ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... VI LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. IX Page .................................................................................................................................. IX LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ X LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................... XI ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................... XII 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background of the Study ........................................................................................ 1 1.2. Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 3 1.3. Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 3 1.4. Objectives and Research Questions of the study .................................................... 3 1.4.1. General Objective of the study ......................................................................... 3 1.4.2. Specific Objectives of the study ....................................................................... 3 1.4.3. Research questions ............................................................................................ 4 2. LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................................