1. Introduction
Mammals are the most numerous and profitable animal team on the planet,
with roughly 5,416 species in existence ( Reale et al .,
2014;Geleta & Bekele, 2016). More than 1150, 360, 320 species of
mammals can be seen in Africa (Newbold et al ., 2015), eastern
Africa ( Girma et al ., 2012;Diriba et al ., 2020), and
Ethiopia ( Tefera, 2011; Amare, 2015; Lavrenchenko & Bekele, 2017)
respectively. Fifty five of Ethiopia’s 320 mammalian species are
endemic, with 14 orders and 39 families (Rabira et al ., 2015;
Lavrenchenko and Bekele, 2017 ). In addition, species of mammals act as
an umbrella for terrestrial ecosystems as they make a contribution to
the conservation efforts of different species (Bene et al ., 2013;
Udy et al ., 2021) and maintain an ecosystem balance. Medium and
giant mammal species play a vital role in many of the world’s
ecosystems, which include grazing, grazing and seed dispersal
(Gebresenbet et al ., 2018; Reeder et al ., 2019; IUCN,
2021). Furthermore, they provide important personal benefits such as
food, entertainment, and profits ( Wolf and Ripple, 2018; Penjoret al ., 2021). In contrast, species of mammals have ended up
endangered worldwide and regionally due to anthropogenic activities (
Ripple et al ., 2014; Girma & Worku, 2020). Loss of Habitat are
major threats to mammals ( Kasso & Bekele, 2017; Wale et
al .,2017; Qufa and Bekele, 2019; Asefa et al ., 2020).
Ethiopia is one among the 25 richest biodiversity countries within the
world and hosts two of the 34 most famous places within the world. Over
60% of mammal species are medium and enormous (Negeri et al .,
2015). Temperature change and climate are the foremost important
predictions of the range of mammal species within the world (Tefera,
2011; Amare, 2015; Belete & Melese, 2016). However, the population of
large and medium mammals has declined significantly within the country
including protected areas (Rabira et al ., 2015). It is due to the
boom of human population, habitat loss, fragmentation, susceptible
management of the included areas, and deforestation (Gebresenbetet al ., 2018; Girma & Worku, 2020; Lemma & Tekalign, 2020).
Knowledge on nearby fauna is integral for future conservation techniques
and grants fundamental facts for greater complex ecological and
biogeographical studies, and which is the first step for conservation
action (Botelho et al ., 2012;Fornitano et al ., 2015).
Research on the diversity of mammals, their habitat, and abundance has
provided facts about human reputation for good conservation measures
(Rabira et al ., 2015; Yosef, 2015). Hence, the lack of survey may
additionally preclude the preparation of an appropriate administration
design in the protected areas (Fornitano et al ., 2015). Moreover,
in Ethiopia most studies on mammal species were confined to protected
areas (Wale, 2017; Fetene et al ., 2019) but the diversity and
distribution status of mammals outside protected areas is not well known
(Gebresenbet et al ., 2018). However, the determine about mammals
in public locations is important equally (Udy et al ., 2021), even
extra so due to the fact of their large dimension anthropogenic
pressures (Girma et al ., 2012; Burgin et al ., 2018; Legeseet al ., 2019; Worku & Girma, 2020).
The present study was carried out in the Arjo-Diga Forest of Western
Ethiopia and which was demarcated in 2014 for mainstreaming the
incentive for biodiversity conservation. The study area site is part of
a large forest and it falls within the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity
hot spot area. It is also in the watershed of Dhidhessa River, which is
one of the main tributaries of the Blue Nile River, giving it regional
and international importance for biodiversity and hydrology. However,
the wider terrain around the forest ecosystem has exacerbated the
deterioration of natural resources, and wildlife is facing major
challenges as a result of manmade activities, which could lead to
complete degradation (Gole, 2017). Understanding the distribution of
prominent biological components such as mammal’s species and
anthropogenic threats in the area is essential for emergency management
practices. In addition, no biological research has been conducted so far
in the area. Therefore, to contribute towards closing these gaps and to
supply the primary essential quantitative bits of knowledge, the present
study will focus on mammalian diversity and threats of medium and large
mammals in Arjo Diga Forest, Western Ethiopia.