Preliminary status assessment survey on the critically endangered Tora hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus tora) and further wild ungulates in North-western Ethiopia - a report to the IUCN/SSC/Antelope Specialist Group.

23 Seiten. IUCN Gland.

Introduction:

Within the network of the IUCN/SSC/Antelope Specialist Group the Northeast African Subgroup also assists with the assessment of the status of antelope species at the Horn of Africa (Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somali). The region is well known for its wide species diversity and the high level of endemism of its fauna and flora. However, continuous political turmoil in several parts of the region as well as limited financial and technical resources made it difficult in past decades to pertain a clear picture on the status and distribution of several antelope species or subspecies.

With regard to the current red list re-assessment for antelopes, a survey was conducted by members of the Antelope Specialist Group partly assisted by local Ethiopian conservationists to collect preliminary information on the status of antelope species in North-western Ethiopia, with special focus on the critically endangered Tora hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus tora).

The survey was carried out in April/May 2007 (18.04. -01.05.2007) and covered areas within the subspecies’ historic distribution range in North-western Ethiopia along the Sudanese-Ethiopian-Eritrean borders. Due to limited access to remote terrain even with a 4x4 vehicle for direct observations, the survey also included a significant number of interviews of local herdsmen and community elders for large parts of the investigated area.

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