DIURNAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF ORIBI (OUREBIA OUREBI Zimmermann, 1783) IN MAZE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Diurnal activity patterns of oribi (Ourebia ourebi Zimmermann, 1783) in the newly established Maze National Park, southern Ethiopia, were studied during the wet and dry seasons from October 2009 to December 2012. Data collection of was carried out by direct observation of free-ranging animals from a hidden position. Vantage points were selected for observation between 06:00 and 18:00 hours of the day using alternate periods betweenmornings (06:00-10:00 hrs), mid-day (10:00-14:00 hrs) and late afternoon (14:00-18:00 hrs) sessions. Feeding constituted the highest (57.58%) activity pattern compared to other diurnal activities. There was a morning and evening peak activities of feeding and mid-day peak of lying during wetand dry seasons, for both males and females. There was a significant difference in the mean percentage of daylight activities during wet and dry seasons in both sexes (p<0.05). Diurnal activity patterns of oribi were mainly influenced by foraging quality and availability of the area

Keywords:

Activity patterns , Feeding , Focal watch , Maze National Park , Oribi , Time budget