A SURVEY ON MAMMALS OF THE YAYU FOREST IN SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A survey of mammals of the Yayu forest, southwest Ethiopia, was conducted between August, 2009 and February, 2010. Transect survey method was used. The survey was conducted in seven selected sampling blocks, each with an area of 0.5 km². The blocks were representatives of vegetation types (afromontane forest, transitional rain forest and riverine forest) and conservation zones (core, buffer, and transition). A total of 14 species of mammals were recorded. The study supplements the recognition of the Yayu forest as a biodiversity hotspot and it is recommended that ongoing conservation and biodiversity documentation efforts should continue.