Population Estimate, Group Size and Age Structure of the Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus gelada) around Debre-Libanos, Northwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Most of the gelada baboon’s population which is endemic to Ethiopia exists on the gorges and mountain cliffs of the country including Debre-Libanos. The objective of the study was to estimate the total gelada baboons, and determine their group size and age structure. This was investigated based on direct field observation method from August 2012 to March 2013. The study area was divided into seven counting blocks (Shinkurt Mikael, Chagel, Amanuel, Abba Dinkona, Wusha Gedel, Tekle Haimanot, and Set Debre). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chisquare test was used to compare the sex and age ration, and their distribution among the counting blocks. The population size of gelada baboons was determined from direct total count. The average number of gelada baboons counted was 1608. Of these, adult males comprised 162, adult females 576, sub-adult males 121, sub-adult females 231, young 307 and infants 212. There was a significant difference among the different age groups of the total individuals counted in the study area (χ2=1002.657, df=5, p<0.05). There was unequal sex ratio in the individual count. The highest range of group size was recorded during the wet season (5-187 individuals) with the mean group size of 28.21; while the dry season, the range of group size was smaller (3-120 individuals) with the mean group size of 18.4
