Diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex (Capra walie) in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Walia ibex (Capra walie), an endangered and endemic species found exclusively in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, exhibit bimodal diurnal activity patterns. The study, conducted between October 2009 and November 2011, revealed that these ibexes are most active before and after noon, resting on rocks and cliffs during midday to avoid the sun and predators. Feeding was significantly more prevalent than other activities such as moving, standing, or socializing (p<0.05). Seasonal variations showed higher feeding activity in both wet and dry seasons, with lower vigilance levels. These findings are crucial for conservation planning, as anthropogenic disturbances could threaten the species' reproduction success. The research used scan sampling to gather data, providing essential insights into the behavior of this vulnerable species.

Ejigu, D., Bekele, A., & Powell, L. (2020). Diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex (Capra walie) in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Journal of Biology and Life Science, 11(2), 83. https://doi.org/10.5296/jbls.v11i2.17049