Effectiveness and cost efficiency of monitoring mountain nyala in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

A cost-effective monitoring protocol for the endangered mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, offers significant financial savings without compromising effectiveness. The study found that total counts, despite underestimating population size, were more precise and required only 12% of the resources needed compared to distance sampling. This method also demonstrated greater power to detect changes in population size, making it a viable alternative for long-term conservation efforts in resource-limited protected areas like BMNP. The research highlights the importance of evaluating cost efficiency alongside effectiveness when selecting monitoring protocols.

Kinahan, A., & Bunnefeld, N. (2012). Effectiveness and cost efficiency of monitoring mountain nyala in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Endangered Species Research, 18(2), 105–114. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00438