Mammals play a role in environmental engineering. Outside of
protected areas, Ethiopia’s mammalian supply is rapidly dwindling, and
there is a scarcity of data on mammalian diversity and ecology. As a
result, from June 2020 to February 2021, a study was conducted in Arjo
Diga Forest to determine the species composition, distribution, relative
abundance, and threats of large and medium wild mammals. Using transect
lines, survey techniques were used to record mammals from four habitat
types, eighty people participated in a questionnaire survey to identify
the current threatening factors. A total of 763 individuals were
compiled, belonging to 19 mammalian species, 6 orders, and 12 families.
Papio Anubis (30.3 %) was the most abundant in the research region,
followed by Chlorocebus mitts (22%), while Panthera pardus and Panthera
Leo were the least, contributing 0.79 % and 0.39 % of the total
observations, respectively. There is, however, a significantly varied
among habitats (χ2 = 246.4; DF = 18; P < 0.05). Among the
observed mammals, (n = 433, 56.75%) individuals were recorded in the
dry season, while (n = 330, 43.25%) individuals were recorded in wet
season and the abundance of mammals species was not significantly
between seasons (χ2 = 12.12; DF = 18; P >0.05). The
diversity of species varies depending on the stratified habitat types.
The Shannon–Wiener Index values, on the other hand, do not differ much
between habitat types. The research area’s species diversity was H′ =
2.296, with the highest Simpson Index of diversity (1-D) being (0.8406).
Agricultural land expansion, illegal logging, overgrazing, quarry
operations, and illegal hunting are all threats to the species that
inhabit the study area. A quick national park is required to rescue
these species.
Key words: Arjo Diga, Distribution, Diversity, Mammals, Relative
abundance