Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

Observations on the Status of the Mountain Nyala: 2000-2005
James Malcolm 1* and Paul H. Evangelista 2
1 Department of Biology, University of Redlands, P.O. Box 3080, Redlands CA, 92373-0999, USA
2 Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
CO 80523-1499, USA
*Email: James_Malcolm@redlands.edu
Abstract
Between 2000 and 2003, we conducted a rapid assessment of the known range and status of the
mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) supplemented with a thorough literature search of historic
accounts and recent reports. The mountain nyala is known to inhabit three distinct mountain ranges
in Ethiopia’s southern highlands. These are the Ahmar, Arsi and Bale Mountains. For this report, we
assessed two sites in the Ahmar Mountains, two sites in the Arsi Mountains, and three sites in the Bale
Mountains. Historical and recent reports were collected from all areas including known populations
that were not visited (Arba Gugu, Woga Bulu, and southern escarpment of the Bale Mountains). A
world population in the range of 3,500-4,000 is likely, down from the last comprehensive survey
results of between 7,000 and 8,000 (Brown 1969). Probably 80% of the world’s population survives
in the Bale Mountains and contiguous Harenna Forest. Current conservation efforts employ multiple
strategies with varying results. Mountain nyala populations found in the Galama Mountains, which
are centrally situated within the Arsi range, are especially threatened. Uncontrolled burning,
deforestation, livestock grazing, cultivation and illegal hunting have nearly resulted in the regional
extinction of the mountain nyala and other wildlife species on the Galama Ridge, Mt. Chilalo and Mt.
Kaka. In contrast, the mountain nyala population in the Gaysay Valley of Bale Mountains National
Park is thriving, and density may exceed the capacity of the fragmented forests that remain. Further
monitoring of known mountain nyala populations and determining the full extent of the mountain
nyala’s range will be required to provide better total population estimates, establish effective
management strategies, and achieve meaningful conservation of the species.
Introduction
The mountain nyala is a magnificent antelope restricted to a small part of southeast Ethiopia. In
1969, Leslie Brown estimated a world population at 7,000-8000. It is close to 40 years since Brown
made his surveys, and human encroachment has occurred throughout the species range. It is the
purpose of this paper to compile current information on the species and to assess its conservation
status.
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